Ayurvedic Treatment for Sciatica

SCIATICA Ayurvedic Treatment

Your doctor will first perform a physical exam which will help in detecting:¹

• Weakness when bending the knee
• Difficulty bending the foot inward or down
• Difficulty bending forward or backward
• Abnormal or weak reflexes
• Loss of sensation or numbness
• Pain when lifting the leg straight up off the examining table

Tests are often not needed unless pain is severe or long-lasting. If tests are required, they may include:

• Blood tests
• X-rays
• MRIs or other imaging tests

Diet Recommendations (Aahar)

A healthy diet for controlling sciatica pain is for balancing Vata dosha and includes:^5,6

• Grains: Rice, cooked oatmeal, whole wheat and whole grain breads (toasted)
• Pulses: Yellow split mung beans (green skin removed), whole mung beans, red lentils and tofu
• Vegetables: : Zucchini, asparagus, carrot, beets, sweet potatoes, cucumber, lady finger, parsley, green peas, fennel, spinach in small amounts and cooked coconut. All should be cooked well so they are soft.
• Spices: Cumin, ginger, mustard seeds, ajwain, celery seeds, fenugreek, coriander, bay leaves, basil, saffron, hing (asafoetida), cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, fennel, black pepper (in small amounts)
• Fruits: All ripe, sweet, and juicy fruits. Sweet grapes, banana, melons, plums, cherries, mango, papaya, pomegranate, sweet pineapples, raisins, sweet oranges, dates and figs, avocado, apples and pears.
• Oils: Ghee or olive oil
• Sweeteners: Honey, jaggery, date sugar

Lifestyle changes (Vihar)

Exercise and Yogasanas help to relieve pain and discomforts of sciatica. Yogic exercises help in stretching and stimulation of nerves, and toning up the back muscles, which in turn helps in increasing the blood supply. Asanas may also release pressure and compression on sciatic nerve. These Asanas are to be practised under medical supervision after consulting your physician.

Bhujangasana Dhanurasana Makarasana

Matsya Kridasana