Managing the Back Pain in Women after Delivery

Back pain, especially the low back pain observed in woman after the child delivery is called Post-Partum Back Pain.

During pregnancy, expansion of the uterus stretches and weakens the abdominal muscles and alters the posture which causes strain on the back. Long or difficult labor, hormonal changes during and after the delivery, improper posture and the extra weight gained poses repetitive stress on low back region leading to back pain. Women who
have had  episodes of back pain before or during pregnancy are more likely to have persistent pain after giving birth. Incidence of Post-Partum Back Pain is rampant in C-section. The surgical incisions made to deliver the baby in C- section disrupt the stability of spine causing the pain.

Back Pain after delivery usually subsides in a few months, though some women will continue to have pain for much longer. Though less alarming, this condition if not addressed properly can result in persistent back pain which further aggravates to unbearable levels. Maintaining the right posture remains at the forefront of back pain management. Mothers should also be encouraged to nurse the infant in a proper seated position.

Not all are aware of treatment options for this condition. Ayurveda stresses equally on pre natal care (Garbhini paricharya) as well as post natal care (Soothika paricharya). 

In Ayurvedic terms, giving birth is one of the most significant disturbances of Vata dosha that can occur in a woman’s body. Low back Pain and muscle spasms occur as a result of this Vata elevation. Specific procedures are mentioned in the post delivery period to restore the balance of vitiated doshas.

Right from the fourth month of pregnancy, Ayurveda recommends ‘Abhyangam’, application of certain medicated oils like Dhanwantharam in low back region along with the intake of Dhanwantharam gutika in order to regulate Vata dosha. This practice is recommended after giving birth also. 

Abhyangam helps to strengthen the ligaments, muscles, tendons and joints of the whole body especially spine. This not only soothes the skin but also relieves the pain. Medicated Grithas (ghee) & Kashayas (decoction) prepared with Vata balancing herbs like Dashamoola & Bala are administered internally. “Thengin Pookuladi Lehyam”, an effective herbal formulation is also used in the management of Post-Partum Back Pain.

Sciatica: Nerve pain from irritation of the sciatic nerve

Sciatica refers to leg pain starting from the low back region, along the buttock, down towards the back of thigh and calf which makes standing or sitting difficult.

Sciatic nerve starts in the lower spine and runs down the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. It also provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Sciatica occurs when this sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated disc in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae.

 The pain most often occurs on one side. Sciatica pain may feel like a dull ache, burning sensation, tingling sensation on prolonged standing, sitting, or walking. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move. The pain even flares up on sneezing, coughing or sometimes laughing. Numbness may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak sometimes.

Sciatica is not a disease, it is a symptom of conditions in which sciatic nerve gets irritated. Most common condition is Inter Vertebral Disc Prolapse in which a prolapsed disc of spine compresses the sciatic nerve. Sciatic pain also occurs in Spondylolysthesis where one vertebra slips over the other and in the narrowing of spinal canal. Tests such as straight leg rising can pinpoint which nerve root is affected.

Ayurveda describes sciatica as “Gridhrasi” (Gridhra means Eagle), as the gait of the affected person resembles that of an eagle’s walk and the inflamed nerve appears like eagle’s beak.  According to Ayurveda sciatica is caused by the aggravation of Vata dosha that has resulted from the strain to low back region. Factors such as constipation, cold weather etc. can aggravate this.  Ayurveda treatment aims at bringing back the aggravated dosha to equilibrium and thereby to the state of health.

Dr Pathrose Parathuvayalil, Chief Physician, Parathuvayalil Hospital and Orthopedic Centre, Kerala says that depending on the necessity and condition of the patient different Panchakarma therapies such as Virechana and Vasthy are done in sciatica.  Herbal medications and external therapies which pacify the inflammation such as kadivasthy, medicated lepanams etc. are also done. As Ayurveda addresses the root cause of the issue rather than the symptoms, results are stable.

Ayurveda to relive you off from Low Back Pain for ever

Low Back Pain refers to the pain that you feel in your lower back. When we stand, the lower back functions to hold most of the weight of the body. When we bend, extend or rotate at the waist, the lower back is involved in the movement.

Low back pain is often precipitated by moving, lifting objects or twisting of the waist. Although back pain can be felt anywhere in your spine it is most commonly seen in lower back.

8 out of 10 people have one or more bouts of Low Back Pain at some point in their life time. LBA is not a specific disease but is a symptom or complaint caused by various underlying causes.

The pain can be triggered by bad posture while sitting or standing, bending awkwardly, or lifting incorrectly. Muscular sprains and ligament strains are the most common type of low backache. In addition to arthritic conditions, degenerated and prolapsed discs, weight gain during pregnancy, obesity, poor sleeping posture, compressed nerve roots and sometimes even Tumors, can also lead to low back ache. Referred pain from internal organs like kidney, gallbladder are also felt in lower back region.

Management of low back pain in Ayurveda ranges from simple internal medications to intense therapies. The Ayurveda treatments are much personalized and it varies according to the root cause of pain in each patient. Treatment procedures include Panchakarma therapy (5 purificatory therapy in Ayurveda) and different external therapies like kativasthy, which proves highly effective in low back ache. Special herbal medicated oils and herbal powders are used for the treatment.

Dr. Pathrose Parathuvayalil, Chief Physician, Parathuvayalil Hospital and Orthopedic Centre, Kerala says a unique MARMA technique of manipulation , followed by bandaging proves effective in back pain management in most of the cases.

 Regular exercise, such as walking and swimming, is an excellent way of preventing back pain. Activities such as yoga  can improve your flexibility and strengthen your back muscles.