Yogic Treatment of Slip-disk and Sciatica

Slip-disk and sciatica are the other diseases of muscular and skeletal system. In this sequence of yoga therapy we shall discuss the causes and yogic treatment of this disease in detail. Slip-disk and sciatica causes backache. Backache is because of the tension and loss of flexibility in muscles and nerves. Generally, the lower back is affected more. This part runs between the neck and shoulders, to reach the lower back. This pain crops up in the back region, where the muscles surrounding and supporting vertebral column get contracted because of the prolonged sitting in difficult and uncomfortable postures. The pain begins with sitting in a chair or a car for extended periods. Chronic backache becomes severe towards evening. Yoga practice yields permanent benefits to the patients.

Composition of the body: Vertebral column in man is a hollow tube made up of 33 bones. The vertebrae are placed one above the other and held firmly together with the help of strong vertebral muscles. Between two vertebrae there is a disc-shaped joint, which is filled with a lubricant. These discs function as shock absorbers. These shock absorbers protect the brain, spinal cord and all internal organs in course of movements and jerks. These discs are filled with a jelly like lubricant and all the bones are attached to each other firmly by ligaments.

What is slip-disk and how is it caused? The pressure on the lower region of the waist causes a crack in the disk which later breaks. This is known as slik-disk. By the breakage in the disc, the lubricant oozes out and exerts pressure on the nerves, and this causes severe pain. Around 4^th and 5^th vertebrae the pain becomes permanent. Generally this pain is seen in those who work sitting in a chair for long periods or in those whose ligaments in the waist region are weak. This is also caused by lifting heavy weights. This disease is not seen in people who work in fields or work more with hands.

Sciatica: In sciatica the patient experiences piercing pain. The pain originates from the last three vertebrae of waist region and, passing through the two vertebrae in hip region, reaches down to the back of lower limbs. The fluid oozing from the torn disc exerts pressure on the nerve which caused severe pain. Sciatica nerve passes through the waist through the back side of hips and thighs, ankles and reaches down to the heels. Thus in sciatica, pain is felt in hips, thighs and ankles. In such a condition the patient must lie down otherwise the tension in the lower limbs will increase and the patient will experience severe pain. The muscles in the region of pain get contracted quickly. To provide protective support to the region, plaster is used. In condition of severe pain, pain killers can be used and patient must be made to sleep on hard bed covered with a thin cotton mattress.