• Slipped Disc: When a soft cushion between your back bones bulges out and presses on the nerve.
• Bone Spurs: Small bone growths on your spine that can squeeze the nerve.
• Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the space where the nerves travel, which puts pressure on the sciatic nerve.
• Overweight: Carrying extra weight can put more pressure on your spine.
• Spinal Injury: An injury to your back can directly damage or press on the nerve.
• Irregular Exercise: Not exercising enough or doing too much at once can lead to a weak back and problems with your muscles.
• High Heels: Wearing high heels can change your body’s posture and put extra strain on your lower back.

1. Herbal Remedies:
   Ayurvedic herbs such as ashwagandha, guggulu, and nirgundi are known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can help alleviate sciatica pain. These herbs can be consumed internally or applied topically as oils or poultices.

2. External Therapies:
   External treatments such as Abhyanga (Ayurvedic oil massage), Pinda Sweda (herbal bolus massage), and Kati Basti (localized oil treatment) can help reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with sciatica.

3. Dietary Modifications:
   Ayurveda emphasizes a diet that is warm, nourishing, and easily digestible to pacify Vata dosha. Foods such as cooked vegetables, whole grains, ghee, and warming spices like ginger and turmeric are recommended. Avoiding cold, dry, and processed foods is essential.

4. Yoga and Stretching:
   Gentle yoga poses and stretching exercises can help improve flexibility, strengthen the back muscles, and alleviate tension along the sciatic nerve. Practices such as Cat-Cow, Downward-Facing Dog, and Pigeon Pose can be beneficial for relieving sciatica pain.

4. Pranayama and Meditation:
   Pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation help calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote relaxation, which can alleviate sciatica symptoms exacerbated by tension and anxiety.

Detailed Ayurvedic Treatments for Sciatica

Ayurveda offers many special therapies to help manage sciatica pain. These treatments work to bring your doshas (especially Vata) back into balance, remove toxins, and reduce pain and swelling.

• Kati Vasti: A treatment for the lower back where a small dough ring is placed on the back, holding warm, medicated oil inside. It deeply nourishes the lower back and helps reduce pain and stiffness.
• Pathrapotali Swedana (Elakizhi): In this therapy, warm herbal leaves and powders are tied in a cloth bag. This bag is then heated and gently pressed on the painful areas to help reduce swelling and strengthen muscles.
• Marma Massage: A gentle massage on specific energy points (Marma points) of the body. This helps clear energy blockages, improve blood flow, and relieve pain.
• Dhanyamla Dhara: A therapy where a warm, medicated liquid made from fermented grains and herbs is poured over the body. It helps reduce swelling and stiffness, bringing relief from pain.
• Navarakizhi: This is a special massage that uses warm rice and milk tied in a cloth bag. It nourishes the nerves and muscles, making them stronger and relieving pain.
•  Abhyanga: A full-body massage with warm, herbal oil. The oil is chosen to balance Vata dosha, helping to improve blood flow, relax muscles, and reduce pain.
• Mridu Virechana: This is a mild cleaning therapy. It involves taking herbal medicines to clean the digestive system and remove toxins (Ama) from the body, which helps balance the doshas and reduces inflammation.
• Naranga Kizhi: Similar to Elakizhi, but uses fresh lemons and other herbs tied in a cloth bag. This bag is heated and used to massage painful areas to help with stiffness and swelling.
•  Agni Karma (Heat Therapy): A special therapy where a heated metal rod is used to gently touch specific points on the body. It helps to stop pain right away by calming the nerve. This is done only by a trained expert.
• Raktamokshan: A therapy for blood purification. It helps remove toxins from the blood that might be causing pain and swelling. This is a special treatment that should only be done by an expert doctor.
• Snehana: This means “oleation” or oil therapy. It’s a key part of treatment where medicated oils are used on the body (through massage) to soften tissues and calm Vata.
• Swedana: This is a sweat therapy, where a person is made to sweat to remove toxins, often using steam or warmth from herbal packs. It helps reduce stiffness, swelling, and muscle pain.
• Vasti (Herbal Enema): This is a key treatment for balancing Vata dosha, the main cause of sciatica. Medicated oils or herbal drinks are given as an enema to calm Vata and reduce pain.
• Sira Vedana (Venesection): This is a small, controlled way of letting out a very tiny amount of blood. It is done by a doctor on a specific vein near the painful area to quickly reduce pain and swelling.
• Sarvangadhara (Pizhichil): A continuous stream of warm, medicated oil is poured all over the body. It’s a very soothing therapy that deeply calms Vata, reduces pain, and nourishes the nerves and muscles.
• Pinda Sweda: This is a warm massage with medicated rice or herbal powders tied in a cloth bag. It helps to bring down swelling, pain, and stiffness.
• Sneha Basti: This is a type of Vasti (enema) that uses warm, medicated oils. It is very effective at nourishing the nerves, relaxing the muscles, and calming Vata dosha.
• Ksheeradhara: A gentle treatment where a continuous stream of warm, medicated milk is poured over the affected area. It is very soothing and helps to calm the nerves and reduce pain and burning sensations.

Ayurvedic Medicines for Sciatica

Guggulu Pills

• Yogaraja Guggulu
• Triodashanga Guggulu
• Kaishora Guggulu
• Gokshuradi Guggulu

Herbal Tablets

• Dhanwantharam Gulika
• Vishamushti Vati

Herbal Powder

•  Ashwagandadi Churna

Herbal Liquids (Drinkable)

• Balarishtam
• Dasamoolarishtam

Medicated Oils (For Skin)

•  Bala Ashwagandhadhi Thailam
• Dhanwantharam Thailam
• Ksheerabala Thailam
• Sahacharadi Thailam
• Murivenna
• Ganda Tailam (can be used as oil or taken by mouth)

Herbal Liquid Extracts (Drinkable)

• Dasamoola Kashayam
• Prasarinyadi Kashayam
• Rasnadi Kashayam
• Sahacharadi Kashayam

Capsules (Pills)

• Dhanwantharam 101 capsule
• Ksheerabala 101 capsules

How to Prevent Sciatica

Preventing sciatica is all about taking care of back and spine by simple changes in daily life and reducing the risk of pain.

Here are some simple tips to prevent sciatica:

1. Diet and Weight Management

• Keep a Healthy Weight: Being overweight puts extra pressure on your spine which can lead to sciatica. Eating a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps you keep a healthy weight.

2. Exercise and Yoga

• Stay Active: Regular, low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling keep your back strong.
• Stretch Regularly: Gentle stretching helps to keep your hips and lower back flexible.
• Try Yoga: Specific yoga poses can help strengthen your core muscles, which support your spine. Poses like Cat-Cow, Downward-Facing Dog, and the Child’s Pose are very helpful.

1. Expertise:
   Kerala boasts skilled Ayurvedic practitioners trained in traditional methods, ensuring precise diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.

2. Authenticity:
   Kerala’s Ayurvedic centers adhere to ancient traditions, using high-quality herbal preparations and time-tested therapies for optimal results.

3. Serene Environment:
   Kerala’s lush landscapes and tranquil surroundings provide the perfect setting for healing, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation.

4. Comprehensive Care:
   Kerala Ayurvedic treatment goes beyond symptom management, addressing the root cause of sciatica and promoting long-term wellness.