Pain Management by Ayurveda in Lumbar Spondylosis– A Case Study and Selective Review of Literature

Introduction: In Ayurveda, Snehana is an important method of treatment for diseases of the spine. As per Ayurveda, fatty substances are having properties opposite to that of Vata Dosha which is the root of many diseases. Therefore, Sneha (fatty substances) have an important position in Ayurvedic treatment. Fatty substances are of 4 types of Ghrita (Ghee), Taila (oil), Vasa (muscle fat), and Majja (bone marrow fat).

Among these types, the literature is available about Ghrita (ghee), Taila (oil), and Majja (bone marrow fat) only, but Vasa (muscle fat) is not currently practiced. We got a case study, in which cod liver oil capsules were used as a representative of Vasa Sneha.

A male of 35 suffering from lumbar spondylosis approached for moderate to severe low back pain. We successfully used cod liver oil capsules as representative of Vasa Sneha in this case.

Study Design: A single case study and selective review of the literature.

Place and Duration of Study: Panchakarma OPD, Yashwant Ayurvedic medical college, PGTRC, Kodoli, 416114, Dist. – Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.

Presentation of Case: This is a single case study in which a male of 35 years was suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP) due to lumbar spondylosis The patient had chronic low back pain which was aggravated for 3 months.

We prescribed him Ayurvedic medicines and cod liver oil capsules orally. The patient was followed for 16 months.

Results: The outcome measure was assessed by the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. The low back pain score was measured in different positions. The before treatment value was 36 (median ẋ = 3.5) and the score was 72, and after treatment value was 2 (median ẋ = 0) and the score was 4. The Mann Whitney U test was performed. The p was 0.00009 (<0.05).

Conclusion: It is concluded that cod liver oil can be successfully used as a representative of vasa Sneha, and it is very effective in relieving chronic low back pain in lumbar spondylosis along with other ayurvedic preparations.