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Keep Back Pain at Bay
Back pain is the most common complaint among adults under 45. Back pain brings their activities to a complete halt and intervenes in the progress of their career. Researchers say that it is really a challenge to a physician to find out the true cause of back pain.
Here is a quick take on the anatomy of the human back. Our body depends on the spinal column for structural stability and mobility. We twist, bend and flex with the help of spinal column. The spinal column is made up of 24 vertebrae, 7 in the neck (the cervical vertebrae), 12 in the thorax (the thoracic vertebrae), and 5 in the lower back (the lumbar vertebrae). The sacrum, located just below the lumbar vertebrae, consists of 5 fused vertebrae. The tailbone, or coccyx, with its 3 to 5 fused vertebrae, lies just beneath the sacrum. These vertebrae are placed one on another from skull to pelvis. Spongy discs are present in between vertebrae .The spinal column is tightly wrapped by muscles and ligaments.
The spinal cord is enclosed within vertebral canal which is formed by alignment of vertebrae.
Acharya Sushruta describes anatomy of spinal column as follows.
Prushte trimshat - The number of back bones are 30 (Cervical-7 , Thoracic ? 12, Lumbar- 5, vertebrae fused in sacrum -5 , coccyx -1 ). While describing the joints in spinal column it has been said as Chaturvimshatihi prishta vamshe . This means there are 24 joints in spinal column.
Maamsaanyatra nibaddhani siraabhihi snaayubhistatha. |
Asthinyaalambanam kritwaa ||
The ligaments and tendons hold the bones and muscles together.
Causes for back ache
Bones and thighs are mainly occupied by Vata. Vata controls and directs the body movements. Back pain occurs when vata in this region gets aggravated due to unwise physical activities (mithya Yoga of karma), exaggerated physical activities (Ati yoga of karma ) or less physical activities (hina yoga of karma).
- Back ache usually arises from spasm of muscles that support our spine. The muscles supporting spine go into spasm when we lift things unwisely, bending over too sharply, sitting in a unsuitable chair, etc. These type of movements are called as Mithyaa yoga of karma or action in Ayurveda.
- Back pain can be triggered when we sneeze, climb into a car, or bend down to pick up the newspaper.
- Osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, viral infection, bladder or kidney infection, gynecological problems in women, tumors and trauma may also cause back pain.
- Lack of motion or hina yoga of karma and bad posture may affect us when we sit or stand for long periods of time. On the other hand repetitive motion or Ati yoga of karma like too much of bending, lifting or twisting also affects our back.
- Other potential causes for back ache are:
- Overweight
- Wearing high heeled shoes
- Carrying heavy weight
The vitiated vata causes stiffness of joints, pain and limits the movements of back.
Solutions for back pain
- Stay calm. Many authorities believe back pain is a symptom of mental stress. Often people trying to take on too many responsibilities overburden their mind, and their subsequent posture and habits take the strain of the thoughts.
- Meditate/Contemplate/Go within: Spiritually, some authorities feel it is looking outside oneself for support that causes an imbalance in the body causing strain on the spine. Look within to your inner eternal Self (soul) for your true psychic and emotional support.
- A complete bed rest for 24 - 48 hrs relieves back pain in most of the instances. Walk a little every few hours to keep the blood flowing and the muscles toned.
- Applying vata balancing oil like ksheerabala oil on affected region and Naadi Sweda (mild steam bath on affected area ) of affected region relives the pain quickly. Mahanarayan oil has also shown good results. For those without access to steam, cold and hot packs have shown good results. [Initially start with cold to reduce inflammation]
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Ayurveda approach to Indigestion and concept of Agni
The word Indigestion is commonly used to describe the discomfort in ones belly mostly caused after food consumption. Fullness, bloating, nausea, heart burn are other symptoms of Indigestion.
Before discussing Indigestion, understanding the process of digestion is very essential. The Ayurveda approach of explaining digestion is very simple and effective. The food we eat is digested by Agni or body fire which is present in our body. It is very much similar to the way we cook the food. The Agni or body fire helps to digest the food which is consumed, much like the fire of a stove cooks the food kept on it. The Agni is mainly situated in Jatara or in upper part of digestive system and is called as Jataragni. The Agni is further categorized as Bhootagni (which digests the 5 pancha mahabhoota factors present in food), Dhatwagni (The Agni present in tissues which help them to absorb required nutrients), Malagni ( the Agni which helps in formation of body wastes like stools, sweat and urine) . The Jataragni controls bhootagni, dhatwagni and malagni. Through this it is evident that Ayurveda approach of digestion explains cellular metabolism too.
The factors which help Agni to digest the food completely : Tridoshas -Vata , Pitta and Kapha help Agni to digest the food.
If the process of digestion is compared to that of cooking rice, the stomach,like the vessel., receives food. Vata provides the necessary conditions like the air blower, Pitta acts like the stove, providing optimum working conditions while Kapha provides the moisture needed much like the water in the vessel. When all these factors are normal and well balanced, an optimum condition is created to digest the food completely.
When food is completely digested by all the agnis, the body tissues will be well nourished and one is blessed with attractive complexion, glow, longevity, strength, good health, growth, enthusiasm, vitality and overall healthy development of body and mind.
The indigestion occurs when Agni is imbalanced by the factors (tridoshas) which help Agni to digest food. The variations of Agni due to tridoshas are of 4 types.
Samagni (balanced Agni) : The Agni which is well balanced due to balanced tridoshas indicate the condition called Samagni . Samagni digests the food completely and nourishes the body tissues very well.
Vishamaagni (varying Agni):- When vata is predominant this condition surfaces. The regular food gets digested normally on some occasions and poorly on others. Vata increasing foods and lifestyles lead to this condition. This variation of Agni causes constipation, flatulence, pain in abdomen and other vata predominant diseases. The indigestion caused by this type of Agni is called Vistabdhajeerna
Teekshnagni (increased Agni) : This variation of Agni occurs due to predominance of pitta. Pitta increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. This variation of Agni causes increased hunger, thirst, acidity, heart burn and loose motions. The indigestion thus caused is called as Vidagdajeerna.
Mandagni (decreased Agni): As increased moistness reduces the intensity of fire, the increased kapha reduces the intensity of Agni. Kapha increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. Feeling Heaviness of body, swelling of eyelids (lower), belching which emit the smell of food consumed and water brash are few symptoms which of indigestion caused by mandagni. The indigestion caused by mandagni is called as amajeerna.
The decreased Agni improperly digests the food and this indigested food is sticky in nature and improperly nourishes tissues, causing weakness of body. This sticky improperly digested food is called Ama. Ama due to its sticky nature blocks the channels of body, vitiate doshas , contaminates tissues, imbalance body functions and cause diseases.
Causes of imbalance of Agni which lead to indigestion
- Spicy foods, chilly, oily foods, medicines, milk and milk products, tobacco and alcohol.
- Irregular food habits and sleeping patterns.
- Medications like pain killers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and steroids.
- Intestinal parasites.
- Diseases of pancreas, liver, gall bladder, intestinal infections etc.
- During pregnancy, premenstrual period, menopausal period in women.
- Emotional upset like anxiety, stress, examination, family tensions, etc.
Home Remedies for Indigestion
- Fasting completely for one day helps to normalize imbalanced Agni and digest Ama.
- Consuming liquid foods, boiled vegetables or fruit juices for 2- 3 days also improves Agni and relieves indigestion.
- Avoid the factors (mentioned above) which cause indigestion.
- Mix a tea spoon of lemon juice, tea spoon ginger juice and little salt in a cup of water and consume thrice daily.
- Drinking glass of warm water once in 2 hours increases Agni and digests Ama.
- Cook cup of rice with 4 cups of water with crushed ginger (1) and salt. Powder long pepper (2 or 3)and fry it in a spoon of cows ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.
- Abdominal Massage also helps to relieve indigestion. It loosens the tight muscles and increases the blood supply to digestive system. American Journal of aphysical medicine and rehabilitation mentions that Abdominal massage has positive effects on some clinical aspects of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury.
Consuming well balanced food which keeps doshas and Agni in balanced condition always keeps body healthy and free from diseases.
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