The Ayurveda Experience Blog
Ayurveda offers a range of natural treatments for sciatica and lower back pain. Ayurvedic remedies and treatments for sciatica pain relief are mentioned in this article.
Lower back pain and sciatica are common disorders affecting up to 80% of people during their lifetime.1
According to Ayurveda, the lower back is ruled by a subtype of Vata known as Apana Vata or ‘downward flowing wind’.
Apana Vata is centered in the colon, pelvis and lumbosacral region of the lower back.
Here, Vata has found its natural throne from where it governs a variety of physiological functions, including movement in the lower back, hips, and thighs, and all excretory processes of the body (feces, urine, menstruation, etc.)
The dry quality of Vata, in excess, can lead to weakness and changes in the structure of the spinal joints.
Focus on Sciatica Pain
Sciatica is known in Ayurveda as grdhrasi which means ‘vulture’. This descriptive name refers to the limping gait of a person due to the excruciating pain from sciatica.
The meaning of Vata is ‘that which spreads’. It is said in Ayurveda that “where there is pain, there is Vata”. Sciatica is a classic example of a Vata disorder. Although the problem starts in the lower back, the pain spreads down the leg.
Now let’s look at some Ayurvedic remedies and treatments for lower back and sciatica pain.
4 Ayurvedic Treatments For Sciatica Pain Relief
Kati Basti
Kati basti is a treatment of the lower back, unique to Ayurveda. ‘Kati’ refers to the lower back and ‘basti’ means ‘to hold’.
Flour dough is used to form a well on the lower back and is filled with warm oil. The oil is kept warm by continuously replacing it as it cools.
The warm oil increases blood circulation in the area, relaxing the muscles, relieving pain, improving movement and reducing stiffness.
“Then the real magic happens, which I can’t quite explain. [Kati Basti] feels exceptionally relaxing and completely changes how my back feels – so much lighter. Freeing.” – Birgit
A traditional Ayurvedic full body massage (abhyanga) helps to relieve tension in the muscles.
Medicated herbal oils are used, which are absorbed through the skin to nourish the body.2
Abhyanga is traditionally followed by steam therapy – either localized or of the entire body – to further soften and relax muscles.3
If you want to learn more about abhyanga, check out Robert and Melanie Sachs’ course on Himalaya mountain abhyanga below.
Therapeutic Enema (Vasti/Basti)
By inserting herbal oil or herbal decoction into the colon in the form of therapeutic enemas, excess Vata is removed from its main seat in the pelvic area.
Both the rectum and colon have very rich blood and lymph supply that allows for effective absorption.
Studies have shown that substances delivered by enemas are more effectively passed into the general bloodstream than by oral administration, as it bypasses metabolism in the liver.2
Herbal Supplements
The following herbs are often used for reducing Vata in the lower back region.
Castor oil (Ricinus Communis)
Castor oil has a mild purgative effect which helps to reduce Vata.
Dashamula
Dashamula is a renowned traditional herbal combination of ten roots.
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
One of the most popular Ayurvedic herbs, ashwagandha is nourishing, rejuvenating and reduces pain.
Guggulu (Commifora Mukul)
Guggulu is a gum resin obtained from a small tree. It has strong pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory properties, widely used for the joints.
Lower back pain and sciatica can be effectively treated by Ayurveda in a great many cases, reducing the necessity for pain killers and even surgery or spinal injections.
In addition to the Ayurvedic treatments described above, an Ayurvedic practitioner will also advise dietary and lifestyle changes to avoid the causes of the sciatica pain. The whole body may be brought back into balance.
Got a question? Connect with us in the comments below!
Please consult an Ayurvedic practitioner before trying the above-mentioned treatments, herbs, and remedies for sciatica pain relief.
References
1Anderson, M.K. (2016): Foundations of Athletic Training: Prevention, Assessment, and Management 6th edition. Alphen aan den Rijn: Wolters Kluwer Health. Ch. 11.
2Sudesh, G. et al (2012): Effect of Matra Basti and Katibasti in the Management of Lumbar Disc Disease. International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives 2012; 3(5):1271-1277.
3Bali, Yogitha, et al. “Efficacy of Agnikarma over the Padakanistakam (Little Toe) and Katibasti in Gridhrasi: A Comparative Study.” International Journal of Ayurveda Research, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Oct. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3059445/.
Hi., My father is suffering with sciatica pain. As per doctor suggection we have taken MRI scan for L4 and L5., As per reports it is in severe condition. and Doctors said that it will only get cured with Surgery. Please suggest me on this.
I suffered for 12 years from sciatica and nothing I tried worked.
Drugs, nutrition, all types of doctors…you name it–the suffering never really went away.
I know all these but becoming unable to correct myself i.e. do not have self control. Please help me doctor, I need your valuable opinion and remarks to be healthy and strong.
Thanks for the beautiful insights and help that you have brought in the lives of people long suffering from sciatica. This blog link needs to be shared as much as possible so that people with such ailments can make use of the information and treatments mentioned it it to recover and improve their life .
You have shared nice blog with valuable information about Ayurvedic Treatments For Sciatica And Lower Back Pain.
Hello sir , my age is 32 and i m suffering from scietica from 3 months. I have completed 7 days ayurved panchkarma, 30 % relief received. Now how will I cured 100 %
hello
i am suffering from sciatica problem and my age is 29 please suggest me some treatment because doctor suggested me for operation
Hi Nilesh, Please visit an Ayurveda centre near you with experience of treating such conditions.
never go for operation . I have the same problem i am 28 years and I went to the ayurvedic massage treatments mentioned above for one week. I felt better .
Hello sir / mam,
I am Monika from khargone, MP ,my mother in law is suffering from sciatica we refers two doctors but the pain remains same please suggest any treatment that fastly work.
A debt of gratitude is in order FOR THE BLOG. I AM SUFFERING FROM BACK PAIN SINCE 2 YEARS BUT AFTER READING YOUR BLOG I GET THE SOLUTION FOR MY PROBLEM.NICE ARTICLE.
i am undergoing treatment for sciatic pain all above mentioned treatments in triveni nursing home, trivandrum, 30 percent pain is reducec in 10 days still treatment is on going ,will update more after treatment
I am also suffering from Sciatic since 1 year So I request you to suggest me the Ayurveda medicine.
Hi Raju, The choice of herbal remedies in this condition depends upon the patho-physiology and the severity of the condition. There are many formulas which are traditionally used in this condition like Trayodashang Guggulu, Sindhvariandadi Kashayam, etc. and procedures like abhyanga and Kati basti. You can visit an Ayurvedic centre with experience of treating such conditions, for adviceand management. In most cases a relief is achieved. In case you are having a incapacitating pain or a neuro-muscular deficit, you may well require to consult a spine specialist.
I am Charandas Badly living in flat. No A-805 Aishwarya m ventures,Akurdi,mo.no.9920048516 wishing Ayurvedic treatment for sciatica,my age is 70 years.
Hi Charandas, Please contact an Ayurvedic centre near you. There are specifi management protocols in Ayurveda for this condition. Please talk to a practitioner there.
Hello mam”
I would like to thank you for posting a nice blog which is related to natural treatment for sciatica. I like to read your blog.
Thank you mam sharing this blog.
Many reasons making Sciatica And Lower Back Pain, especially the climate change. Winter and cold climate making the Sciatica And Lower Back Pain heavy. But it has best treatment in Ayurveda. Ayurveda can cure completely.
Respected doctor,
first of all I thank you for your valuable writing..
I read and liked very much. I am a 32 years old young man suffering from lower back pain with tingling and burning sensation and the pain radiating to left buttock and thigh. I undergone MRI which reveals Mild degenerative disc disease and disc bulge at lumbar region. i am a very lazy man and also feeling depression, metal confusion , indecisiveness, poor concentration in my work. i also suffers constipation, frequent urination, decreased sexual arousal and erection. After every month or two month i get allergy or very small blisters on my penis. I also has allergy to dust, smoke and cold i.e.allergic pharyngitis, nasal congestion/blockage. i also have Tinnitus and distant vision 6/18 both eyes. I am very undisciplined and lazy man with severe procrastination, I know all these but becoming unable to correct myself i.e. do not have self control. Please help me doctor, I need your valuable opinion and remarks to be healthy and strong.
Thank you so much for this valuable information.
It is people like you that really make a difference in the lives of people with sciatica.
I suffered for 12 years from sciatica and nothing I tried worked.
Drugs, nutrition, all types of doctors…you name it–the suffering never really went away.
Fortunately, I found out about a natural way that finally got rid of my sciatica for good.
This article talks about it…
http://www.bestquicktips.com/sciatica
Hope it helps and keep up the good work!
Thanks Alex! Glad you liked it!