Pharmacological approach in the Management of Katishula (Low back ache) - A case study

Abstract

Katishula (low back ache) is one of the major health problems now a days which affects approximately 60 – 85% of adults during some point of their life causing trouble to their daily routine. It is shosha (degeneration), sthamba (stiffness), and shula (pain) predominant vyadhi (disease). It is clearly stated in the classics that the pain is produced due to stiffness which is produced by sama or nirama vayu movement in the kati (low back) region. Ayurvedic classics have mentioned appropriate treatment modalities for kati shula. A 24 year old female patient with katishula was treated conservatively with internal medicine and panchakarma (treatment procedure). Patient presented with low back ache for 1 year with aggravated symptoms like shooting pain, pain while standing and pain in the left leg. SLR was positive being 20 degree on the left leg and was negative in the right leg. There was no history of any kind of trauma. Management was done in 2 rounds where the first part included  matra basti and oral medications, through which the symptoms got reduced around 40 – 50% and in the second part of the treatment patient was managed only with the oral medications which gave very good results where the patient was almost completely relieved.