What is Vertebral Disc? :
The
disc (or intervetebral disc) is a structure that is found in between
the spinal vertebral bodies from the neck to the sacrum (tailbone). It
serves as a cushion and helps the spine to move.
The nucleus pulposus provides the
padding and it is surrounded by the annulus fibrosis which forms a ring
around the nucleus pulposus. This pulposus also attaches to the
vertebral bodies above and below.
The diseases frequently associated with the disc :
The diseases frequently associated with the disc are usually 2 in number, disc herniations (abnormal protrusions of a portion of the disc material) and disc degeneration (changes in the disc seen in normal aging and also in injury) respectively.
The sites usually affected by disc herniation in neck :
The
most common levels for disc problems are in descending order C6-C7 (C
refers to cervical and the number refers to the number of the vertebral
body counting from the top), C5-C6, C7-T1 (here the T refers to the
thoracic spine, the part that the ribs attach to), C4-C5 and very rarely
C3-C4.
Why and how disc protrusions cause pain? :
Herniation of the contents of the disc into the spinal canal often occurs when the front side (stomach side) of the disc is compressed while sitting or bending forward, and the contents (nucleus pulposus) get pressed against the tightly stretched and thinned membrane (annulus fibrosis) on the rear (back side) of the disc.
The diseases frequently associated with the disc :
The diseases frequently associated with the disc are usually 2 in number, disc herniations (abnormal protrusions of a portion of the disc material) and disc degeneration (changes in the disc seen in normal aging and also in injury) respectively.
The sites usually affected by disc herniation in neck :
Why and how disc protrusions cause pain? :
Herniation of the contents of the disc into the spinal canal often occurs when the front side (stomach side) of the disc is compressed while sitting or bending forward, and the contents (nucleus pulposus) get pressed against the tightly stretched and thinned membrane (annulus fibrosis) on the rear (back side) of the disc.
The combination of membrane thinning from
stretching and increased internal pressure (200 to 300 psi) results in
the rupture of the confining membrane. The jelly-like contents of the
disc then move into the spinal canal, pressing against the spinal
nerves, thus producing intense and usually disabling pain and other
symptoms.
Symptoms caused by the herniation :
Pressure on a nerve root is referred to as cervical radiculopathy.Cervical disc herniations can press on the spinal cord and cause a problem called cervical myelopathyThe most common symptom of a cervical disc herniation is neck pain that radiates (spreads) down to the arm in various locations.
Symptoms caused by the herniation :
Pressure on a nerve root is referred to as cervical radiculopathy.Cervical disc herniations can press on the spinal cord and cause a problem called cervical myelopathyThe most common symptom of a cervical disc herniation is neck pain that radiates (spreads) down to the arm in various locations.
The specific
location of the arm pain depends on which disc is involved. There can
also be associated paresthesias (pain as if pricked with pins and
needles) and in some cases weakness of some of the arm muscles. Patients
find that turning their head away from the painful side helps.
Extending the head makes the pain worse so that looking up is avoided.
Bending the head down usually gives some relief.
Severe neck pain radiating to the back of head and down between the shoulder blades may be present with an acute disc prolapse. There may also be an associated muscle spasm aimed at limiting the movement and relieving the pain. How ever in certain occasions the spasm itself may cause generalised neck pain.
Cervical Disc Herniation Treatment :
The treatment of cervical disc herniation can be divided into two categories, conservative and Pancha karma with Marma Chikitsa.
In general, conservative management consists of maneuvers to reduce pressure on the nerve root. Immobilization with the neck in a flexed forward position may be helpful. Straining should be avoided. Medication in the form of anti vatic or anti vata-kaphaik like Maha Rasnadi, Prasaranyadi, Gulgulu thiktam etc., may be prescribed.
Severe neck pain radiating to the back of head and down between the shoulder blades may be present with an acute disc prolapse. There may also be an associated muscle spasm aimed at limiting the movement and relieving the pain. How ever in certain occasions the spasm itself may cause generalised neck pain.
Cervical Disc Herniation Treatment :
The treatment of cervical disc herniation can be divided into two categories, conservative and Pancha karma with Marma Chikitsa.
In general, conservative management consists of maneuvers to reduce pressure on the nerve root. Immobilization with the neck in a flexed forward position may be helpful. Straining should be avoided. Medication in the form of anti vatic or anti vata-kaphaik like Maha Rasnadi, Prasaranyadi, Gulgulu thiktam etc., may be prescribed.
As these medications are selected based
on the Prakruti (Constitution) of the patient, patients should consult
their doctor if taking any medications for longer than a few days.
Ayurveda medicines of course do not cause any side effects, only when
proper medicine is selected for proper Prakruti.
Other wise it may
aggravate the agony, there by giving an impression like that of a side
effect.
Say for example a person with Pitta Prakruti suffering from
Bleeding Piles if consumes a preparation with Bhallataka (Semecarpus
ancardium) as it’s ingredient, he can be rest assured that his symptoms
are going to get worsened, sometime leading to hospitalization.
It is
because Bhallataka increases the Pitta and hence will drastically
increase the flow of already existing venous blood loss in the bleeding
piles. Physical therapy may be prescribed. This can consist of traction,
mild stretching, exercise, heat, massage etc.
Pancha karma and Marma Chikitsa :
Forty five persons suffering from cervical disc prolapse were considered for the clinical evaluation of Marma Chikitsa and Panchakarma either done separately or in combination. The details are being listed beneath for better understanding.
List - 1
No of patients with cervical disc prolapse – 45
No of Males – 33
No of Females _ 12
Protrusion in C6-7 (Inclusive for both genders) -42
Protrusion in C5-6-7(Inclusive for both genders) – 03
Patients with Neck pain alone- 28
Patients with Neck pain radiating up to fingers of both hands – 11
Neck pain radiating to nape, chest and up to fingers of both hand - 06
List– 2
The other tenderful marmas other than the C 5, 6, 7 are listed below.
Krikatika -06 patients
Siramatrka -03 ‘’
Amsa -16 ‘’
Amsaphalaka – 06 ‘’
Apalapa -06 ‘’
Kakshadhara – 02 ‘’
Sthanarohita – 06 ‘’
Kurpara -13 ‘’
Indrabasti - 09 ‘’
Manibandha – 09 ‘’
Kurcha - 05 ‘’
Talahrdaya - 06 ‘’
Ksipra - 09 ‘’
List – 3 Mode of treatment selected
In Males for M/C alone 28 patients were selected and for M/C & P/K 05 was selected.
In Females 09 of the patients were selected for M/C and 03 for M/C & P/K.
Please Note: - M/C indicates (Marma Chikitsa) &P/K (Pancha karma)
Course of treatment:
A course of 10 days or 14 days of Marma Chikitsa alone or in combination with Panchakarma was done.
Improvements observed during the course of treatment.
Amongst the 45 cases, in almost 36 patients the symptoms started receding from 3rd day onwards. In 6 of them pain relief happened from 5th day onwards and the remaining 3 cases felt the difference from either 6th or 7th day. However all the 45 subjects (patients) felt completely relived from the pain caused by cervical disc prolapse on completing their course of treatment of 10 or 14 days, subjected to. Periodical evaluations for the next 1 year revealed that the re-occurrence of pain never happened in their case.
Conclusion:
The year long study of the above 45 cases indicates that when persons suffering from the cervical disc prolapse, when subjected to Marma Chikitsa in combination or without that of Panchakarma, depending on the discretion of the physician, yields very good result in controlling and eradicating the annoy some pain, from which the patients had been suffering with. I hope this research of mine enlightens the readers with a wider and deeper knowledge of the subject dealt with.
Pancha karma and Marma Chikitsa :
Forty five persons suffering from cervical disc prolapse were considered for the clinical evaluation of Marma Chikitsa and Panchakarma either done separately or in combination. The details are being listed beneath for better understanding.
List - 1
No of patients with cervical disc prolapse – 45
No of Males – 33
No of Females _ 12
Protrusion in C6-7 (Inclusive for both genders) -42
Protrusion in C5-6-7(Inclusive for both genders) – 03
Patients with Neck pain alone- 28
Patients with Neck pain radiating up to fingers of both hands – 11
Neck pain radiating to nape, chest and up to fingers of both hand - 06
List– 2
The other tenderful marmas other than the C 5, 6, 7 are listed below.
Krikatika -06 patients
Siramatrka -03 ‘’
 |
| Kshipra Marm Manipulation |
Amsaphalaka – 06 ‘’
Apalapa -06 ‘’
Kakshadhara – 02 ‘’
Sthanarohita – 06 ‘’
Kurpara -13 ‘’
Indrabasti - 09 ‘’
Manibandha – 09 ‘’
Kurcha - 05 ‘’
Talahrdaya - 06 ‘’
Ksipra - 09 ‘’
List – 3 Mode of treatment selected
In Males for M/C alone 28 patients were selected and for M/C & P/K 05 was selected.
In Females 09 of the patients were selected for M/C and 03 for M/C & P/K.
Please Note: - M/C indicates (Marma Chikitsa) &P/K (Pancha karma)
Course of treatment:
A course of 10 days or 14 days of Marma Chikitsa alone or in combination with Panchakarma was done.
Improvements observed during the course of treatment.
Amongst the 45 cases, in almost 36 patients the symptoms started receding from 3rd day onwards. In 6 of them pain relief happened from 5th day onwards and the remaining 3 cases felt the difference from either 6th or 7th day. However all the 45 subjects (patients) felt completely relived from the pain caused by cervical disc prolapse on completing their course of treatment of 10 or 14 days, subjected to. Periodical evaluations for the next 1 year revealed that the re-occurrence of pain never happened in their case.
Conclusion:
The year long study of the above 45 cases indicates that when persons suffering from the cervical disc prolapse, when subjected to Marma Chikitsa in combination or without that of Panchakarma, depending on the discretion of the physician, yields very good result in controlling and eradicating the annoy some pain, from which the patients had been suffering with. I hope this research of mine enlightens the readers with a wider and deeper knowledge of the subject dealt with.
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