Ayurveda for the Spine: Non Surgical Scoliosis Treatment

A healthy spine has three different curves. One is found in the lower back, one in the upper back, and one in the neck. From the back, a healthy spine looks completely straight.

In Australia, about three in every one thousand children have sideways curves in their spine that require treatment.

When untreated, severe scoliosis can cause a number of symptoms, including breathing problems and back pain. People who are afflicted with severe scoliosis are often driven to find non surgical scoliosis treatment options.

There are a number of alternative therapies available to help reduce the symptoms of scoliosis. Ayurveda, an ancient medical system, is one potential non-surgical option. Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

What Is Scoliosis?

An individual has scoliosis when their spine has an abnormal sideways curvature. This typically occurs during the growth spurt that happens right before puberty.

There are three different types of scoliosis: idiopathic, congenital, and neuromuscular.

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of scoliosis. The term “idiopathic” means that there isn’t a definite cause of the abnormal curvature. This type of scoliosis is eight times more likely in girls than in boys and tends to run in families.

Congenital scoliosis is relatively rare, as it only affects one in every 10,000 newborn babies. This scoliosis develops due to spinal abnormalities that occur while the baby is still in the womb. For this reason, early detection is more common for this type of scoliosis.

Neuromuscular scoliosis is a condition that develops secondary to a number of disorders. These are disorders that affect the muscular system, brain, and spinal cord.

Conditions like cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, myelodysplasia, Friedrich ataxia, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy can contribute to this type of scoliosis.

Scoliosis Symptoms

There are a number of different symptoms and signs of scoliosis. These might include:

• One shoulder blade looking more prominent than the other shoulder blade
• Uneven shoulders
• Uneven waist
• One hip is higher than the other

Scoliosis curves can get worse over time. If this happens, the spine can start to twist or rotate beyond just having a sideways curve. This can leave the ribs on one side of the body sticking out farther than those on the other side.

Most people who have scoliosis only have it in a mild form. However, there are a number of complications this disorder can cause.

It is more common for adults who suffered from scoliosis as children to suffer from chronic back pain compared to the general population.

In cases of severe scoliosis, it’s possible for heart and lung damage to occur. This is because the rib cage might press against these organs, interrupting the ability for them to function properly.

Lastly, scoliosis can cause changes in an individual’s appearance over time. If the condition gets worse, patients can grow self-conscious about the fact that their shoulders, hips, ribs, and waist can look different from the general population.

What Is Ayurvedic Medicine?

One of the oldest medical systems in the world, Ayervedic medicine is still one of the traditional health care systems practiced in India. This medicinal practice combines diet, exercise, lifestyle, and medicinal products to help achieve physical and mental health. The products used in Ayerveda are often derived from plant products, but might also be made from mineral, metal, or animal products.

You can learn more about the principles of Ayurveda here.

Non-Surgical Scoliosis Treatment With Ayurvedic Medicine

If you fear that your scoliosis is irreparable, you might consider seeking some alternative treatments for your scoliosis. While your ayurvedic specialist will create a custom treatment plan for your circumstance, let’s take a look at common remedies for treating individuals with scoliosis in the Ayurvedic tradition.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma is the most well-known detoxification process within the practice of Ayurveda. It utilizes five natural methods of elimination in order to detoxify the body. At the same time, it also helps to balance the three doshas, which are Kapha, Vata, and Pitta.

In Ayurveda, this is the primary treatment type for scoliosis. The five different methods included in this treatment are Vamanam, Virechenam, Aasthaapana/Niruham, Anuvaasan, and Nasyam.

Vamanam is also known as Emesis Therapy. This must be performed by highly trained therapists, as it is a practice that induces vomiting.

Virechenam is a practice that aims to eliminate toxins from the intestines. This is done through the use of a therapeutic laxative.

Aathaapana/Niruham is a tactic using an enema made out of a herbal concoction.

Anuvaasan is an oil enema that is used to combat Vata aggravated diseases.

Nasyam is a practice where medicated oil is inhaled through the nostrils. During this practice, the patient is massaged starting from the shoulders and moving up.

Diet is an important component of Panchakarma, both during and after the treatment. The patient is instructed to take a mixed vegetable meal known as Kitchari after the treatment when hungry.

Your Ayurvedic practitioner will determine which of these practices are applicable to your particular circumstance.

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is a form of Ayurvedic therapy that involves a full-body warm oil massage. Different types of oils are used for this therapy depending on the body constitution of the individual, as well as the season.

This treatment can have a positive on your mental, physical, and emotional well being. At the same time, it helps to balance the individual doshas.

Some of the benefits of abhyanga include:

• Relieving stiffness in joints and muscles
• Increasing blood circulation, which encourages metabolic wastes to leave your body
• Relieving fatigue
• Reducing anxiety
• Aiding with circulatory issues as well as rheumatic and arthritic disorders
• Relieving pain from injuries and back pain

Abhyanga is also traditionally used to treat spinal diseases, including scoliosis.

Yoga Asanas

Yoga asanas are the poses or postures used in the practice of yoga. There are a number of these poses that can be helpful in non-surgical scoliosis treatment, including:

• Adho Mukha Svanasna (Downward-Facing Dog)
• Ardha Uttanasana (Half Forward Bend)
• Setu Bandha (Bridge Pose)
• Salabhasana (Locust Pose)
• Anantasana (Side-Reclining Leg Lift)
• Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
• Vasisthasana (Side Plank)

Yoga can be very beneficial for scoliosis because of the combination of core stabilization and flexibility that the practice incorporates.

Are You Looking to Try Ayurvedic Treatment For Your or Your Child’s Scoliosis?

Whether scoliosis was inherited or non-inherited, it can cause a number of issues for growing children and adults alike. Are you looking for non surgical scoliosis treatment? You might consider working with an Ayurvedic practitioner to treat your symptoms.

Are you seeking alternative treatment in Melbourne? If so, you can book an appointment with us today.

• May 31, 2021
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