The spinal cord is located within the vertebral canal of the vertebral column. The white mater of the spinal cord contains sensory and motor track, conduction of sensory nerve impulses toward brain and motor impulse from the brain toward tissue. Spinal nerves and the nerves that branch from them connect the CNS to sensory receptors, muscles and glands in all part of body. Disease of the spinal column results from the aging process or wear and tear that occurs to the bone and soft tissues of the spine. People who put increased strain on their necks and backs can increase the rate at which this wear and tear occurs many types of disorders that can occur simultaneously in the same patient.
There is no need to state that modern medicines has its own limitations in managing degenerative type of disease and Spine related problems is not an exception to this. In modern science efforts have been made to manage the disease with conservative as well as surgical treatment but none of both provide satisfactory relief.
Spinal disease also known as a dorsopathy refers to a condition impairing the backbone. These include various diseases of the back or spine such as kyphosis.
Dorsalgia refers to those conditions causing back pain. Herniated Discs, Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease.
Presenting symptoms with
- Lower back pain that is generally made worse with sitting
- Back pain intensified by bending, lifting and twisting
- Walking and running may feel better than prolonged sitting or standing
- Desire to change positions frequently so alleviate pain.
A number of problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. They include infections, injuries, bone changes that come with age, such as Spinal stenosis and herniated disc.
Types:
- Dorsopathies/spinal disease
- Deforming dorsopathies- Spinal curvature kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis
- Other- Torticolis, Spondylopathy
Inflammatory
- Spondylitis -Ankylosing spondylitis
- Sacroiliitis
- Discitis
- Spondylodiscitis
- Pott disease
Noninflammatory
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolysis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Facet syndrome
- Neck pain
- Upper back pain
- Low back pain
- Coccydynia
- Sciatica Intervertebral disc disorder
- Schmorl's nodes
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal disc herniation
In Ayurveda we can include spinal disorders in Vatavyadhi. Vata is situated at Shroni or low back its main function is movement and conduction of impulses. Indulgence of Vata vitiating Ahara and Vihara cause Vata vitiation which ultimately effects and changes in function of Vata. Abnormal Vata disturb functional of nerves system resulting abnormalities like convulsions, tremors, pain, difficulty in movements etc. Panchkarma including Snehana , Swedana,virechana, Basti ,Nasya,kati vasti,patrapinda swedana,shasti shali pinda swedana are indicated in spinal diseases.
