Role of Panchakarma in the Management of Spinal Canal Stenosis - A Case Study

Spinal canal stenosis is a painful, degenerative condition, and is localized to facets, joints, and ligamentum flavum of the vertebra which is often referred to for surgical correction. The main cause of stenosis is herniated vertebral disc. If there is no compression, the spinal canal can be referred to as narrow, but not stenotic. Certain studies have defined lumbar spinal stenosis as the narrowing of the osteo-ligamentous vertebral canal or the intervertebral foramina, which causes compression of the thecal sac or the caudal nerve roots. The narrowing may impact the entire canal or just a portion of it, but it occurs at a single vertebral level. In this condition, it may, drastically affect the quality of life due to severe pain in doing daily routine activities. In contemporary science, there is no treatment except surgical intervention which is having a high chance of complication and the chances of recurrence. Surgery is necessary when there are clinically significant motor deficiencies or symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. Based on the manifestation of clinical signs and symptoms it can be correlated with Gridhrasi, according to Ayurveda. Gridhrasi can be treated successfully by the intervention of Panchakarma procedures along with Shamana Chikitsa. Here is a case study of a patient suffering from low back pain radiating to bilateral lower limbs, stiffness, numbness, burning sensation in the bilateral sole region, and unable to walk without support, who was previously diagnosed as a case of Spinal Canal Stenosis. He was treated with a Panchakarma procedure, Shamana Chikitsa along with Physiotherapy Exercises. The patient showed marked improvement and could do daily routine activities properly.