Treatment of Piriformis Syndrome in Ayurveda with Herbal Remedies
Abstract
Nervous system is one of the main systems of our body. Nervous system does all the sensory and motor functions. Without the nervous system, there’ll be no sensory or motor functioning. Nervous system includes the brain, a complex network of nerves and the spinal cord. When a certain nerve is compressed then the organ or area it supplies, results in abnormal sensation or tingling sensation of the respective region. In Ayurveda, Piriformis syndrome is one of such conditions that we shall discuss below. We shall also look at the management of the same in the contemporary system of medicine and ayurvedic medicinal system. Let’s get started!!
Introduction
Piriformis syndrome is a syndrome that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle and that results in inflammation. Symptoms usually get worse with running or sitting. There can be a number of causes that can result in the occurrence of piriformis syndrome. Symptoms usually include pain and abnormal sensation in the hip region and symptoms of sciatica. In Ayurveda the condition can be correlated with vata dosha vitiation in particular. As all the body pain and movements are mastered by the vata dosha. We shall have a look at its details in the later section. Now let’s discuss the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and management of Piriformis Syndrome.
Causes of Piriformis Syndrome
- Anatomical abnormalities
- Overuse symptoms – hypertrophy of the piriformis muscle
- Acquired
- Prolonged sitting
- Bipartite piriformis muscle
- Trauma to the botox area or hip region
- Branching variations of sciatic nerve
- Inflammation or swelling of the piriformis muscle
Signs and Symptoms
- Ache in the hip region/buttock
- Pain while walking up stairs
- Aggravation of pain after prolonged sitting
- Pain that goes back of the thigh, cal and foot region
- Reduced range of motion of the affected hip.
- Tingling, burning, numbness and shooting like pain in the hip region.
- Constipation is seen in some of the patients and the condition can deteriorate the overall body functioning if constipation is not managed timely.
Investigations
- Physical examination
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Management
- Immediate and temporary relief is achieved by a local anaesthetic injection.
- Muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain management
- Isometric stretching
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Surgery is recommended in rare cases
Ayurvedic Aspect and Management of Piriformis Syndrome
Ayurveda is a life science. Ayurveda is one of the ancient medicinal systems and has been serving mankind since ages. The principles of Ayurveda still stand valid. Ayurveda focuses on the management of a certain disease with alterations in the lifestyle and with the herbal and herbomineral formulations.
Ayurveda is based on the three energies or doshas ie vata, pitta and kapha. When in normal range they establish health whereas when there are alterations/derangements in the same leads to rise of a certain disease/s.
Piriformis Syndrome when seen through the ayurvedic lens, the condition comes out to be a tridoshaj vyadhi (disease that is caused due three vitiated dosha). This can be understood like the pain and abnormal sensations are due to vata dosha, swelling/inflammation of the piriformis muscle due pitta dosha and the dull ache represents in the involvement of the kapha dosha or ama deposition. Though the main involved dosha remains the vata dosha.
The management can be properly done with shallaki, vrihat vat chintamani ras, vat gajankush ras, triphala churna, giloy ghan vati, ras sindoor, vat vidhwansan ras, amar sundari vati, kaishore guggul, yograj guggul, mahanarayan taila, balashvagandhadi taila, dhanwantharam oil etc.
Herbal Remedies for Piriformis Syndrome by Planet Ayurveda
Planet Ayurveda is an Ayurvedic company with ISO 9001:2015, USA-FDA, GMP certifications. Planet Ayurveda’s motive is to spread Ayurveda across the globe and Planet Ayurveda also produces products as mentioned in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia and other texts of Ayurveda. The products are available in different forms that can be taken according to the person’s comfort. The products are so pure and herbal that they do not contain any kind of adulterants and chemicals. The products are gluten free and halal certified. It does not even contain synthetic and artificial sweet enhancers. Planet Ayurveda has a wide range of products for every health problem. Planet Ayurveda presents its products that are useful in the management of Piriformis Syndrome in a better way.
List of Products that are useful in the Management of Piriformis Syndrome is as Below
- AJMODADI CHURNA
- VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS
- BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN
- YOGRAJ GUGGUL
- STRESS SUPPORT
Product Description
1. AJMODADI CHURNA
Ajmodadi churna is a product of Planet Ayurveda. Ajmodadi churna is a blend of various herbs such as ajmoda (Apium graveolens), haridra (Curcuma longa), chitrakmool (Plumbago zeylanica) etc. Ajmodadi is known to be one of the best anti-inflammatory. With this property, Ajmodadi churna is one of the finest remedies for piriformis syndrome. Ajmodadi churna balances the kapha and vata dosha. Thus, it provides relief from piriformis syndrome.
Dosage: One tsp twice daily with warm water after meals.
2. VRIHAT VATCHINTAMANI RAS
Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is a classical ayurvedic mineral formulation that is widely used in the vata disorders. The ingredients of the formulation are Rajata Bhasma (silver calx), Swarna Bhasma (gold calx), Abhrak Bhasma (mica ash), Loha Bhasma (iron ash), Mukta Bhasma (pearl calx), Suta Bhasma (compound of purified mercury and purified sulphur) and Pravala Bhasma (coral calcium). This is one of the best remedies to manage vata disorders and neurological disorders. In Piriformis Syndrome, Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras is very effective as it keeps check on the numbness, pain and other abnormal sensations in the hip region and also relieves the sciatica pain.
Dosage: One once daily to be chewed.
3. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN
Boswellia Curcumin is a patent product of Planet Ayurveda. The product is filled with the goodness of herbs – shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and haridra (Curcuma longa). Both the herbs are known to reduce inflammation and pain with their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Furthermore, Boswellia Curcumin heals the injury and helps in the sciatic nerve pain. Boswellia Curcumin works so well in the condition of piriformis syndrome.
Dosage: Two capsules twice daily after meals.
4. YOGRAJ GUGGUL
Yograj Guggul is one of the best ayurvedic proprietary medicines that is used extensively in neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Yograj Guggul is enriched with the properties of the herbs guggul (Commiphora mukul), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), vidang (Embelia ribes), shunthi (Zingiber officinale), gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) etc. All these herbs possess antiinflammatory, detoxifying, healing and analgesic properties. With these properties and actions, Yograj Guggul is best suitable in the condition of piriformis syndrome.
Dosage: Two tablets twice daily after meals.
5. STRESS SUPPORT
Stress Support is a product of Planet Ayurveda for making the nerves stress free and healthy. Stress Support is a perfect remedy in neurological diseases. Stress Support is composed of tagar (Valeriana wallichi), brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These herbs are known to have relaxing and analgesic properties. Also these herbs pacify the vata dosha and provide relief from the pain of sciatica associated with piriformis syndrome.
Dosage: One capsule twice daily after meals.
Contact Planet Ayurveda Support Team to provide you the costing/ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or Call at 0172-521-4040 (India), +91-172-521-4040 (Outside India) or Whatsapp at (+91) 842-749-4030.
Conclusion
Piriformis syndrome is a condition that is caused by the pressing of the sciatic nerve by piriformis muscle. This usually results from a number of causes such as injury and overuse of the affected hip etc. Piriformis syndrome has a wide range of symptoms such as pain and abnormal sensations in the affected leg. As per the contemporary medicinal system, there is no proper cure for the same and the treatment is all symptomatic and temporary. Whereas in Ayurveda the condition is well manageable with the herbal medicines. By establishing the doshas in their natural state. By balancing all the three dosha and with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties of herbs the condition can be well managed. Furthermore, the products discussed above are efficient in the management of Piriformis Syndrome.
