CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF RTA INDUCED CHRONIC LOW BACKACHE -A CASE STUDY

Abstract

A 49 year old male patient with severe LBA and unable to stand or walk was treated conservatively with
ayurvedic medicine and Panchkarma therapies to avoid the advised laminectomy. Patient presented with LBA
and weakness in left leg for 1year with aggravated symptoms like shooting pain and tenderness in lowback;
inability to sit, stand or walk and numbness in left leg. SLR was positive being 0degree on right leg and
20degree on left leg. Patient had history of RTA in 1993 with weakness in both right limbs and short right
lower limb. MRI LS suggestive of PIVD at L2-L5 levels causing focal secondary canal stenosis and compression
over thecal-sac with contained nerve roots. Management was done with Panchkarma over three admissions in
three months. Patrapindasveda, Nadisveda, Matravasti for 7days and Shalishashtikapindasveda for 21days
initially in which pain subsided. In second round Shalishashtikapindasveda and Matravasti were given for
15days, in which patient was able to stand and walk with support for 40–50 steps. In third round snehadhara
for 15days, this increased the power in legs and resulted in sensory improvement in right upper limb and
increased standing and walking capacity to more than 400meters. SLR improved to Rt–60 degree, Lt-80
degree.
Ayurveda explains this disease under the title vatavyadhi as Katishula/katigatavata. Snehana and svedana
formed the first line of treatment to pacify the vitiated vata while ShashtikashaliPindasveda and Matravasti
worked as balya for mansa-asthidhatu. Snehadhara improves motor and sensory system resulting in improved
function of the right upper limb.