Rehabilitative potential of Ayurveda for neurological defi cits caused by traumatic spinal cord injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes severe devastations involving multiple domains affecting a healthy life. Besides ambulatory and occupational defi cits as per the injury level and intensity, it also leads to sensory and autonomic defi cits affecting the bladder and bowel regulation. Ayurvedic hospitals and particularly the pancha karma units therein are found utilizing some indigenous rehabilitative techniques to intervene in various neurological, muscular, and locomotory defi cits. Common conditions where such interventions recommended are neurological deficits caused by cerebrovascular accidents, cerebral atrophy, prolapsed intervertebral disc, and SCIs. A case of SCI was followed up for 3 months upon an Ayurvedic composite intervention and subsequently reported. The composite treatment plan involved Ayurvedic oral medications as well as a few selected external and internal pancha karma procedures.

• 1
  A substantial clinical and patient centered outcome improvement in existing neurological defi cits and quality of life was observed after 3 months of the Ayurvedic treatment given to this case.
• 2
  After one month of the therapy, little improvement was observed in neurological defi cits. Most remarkably the patient was able to raise his head without complaint of giddiness as was noticed prior to the Ayurvedic treatment.
• 3
  A 10-item MBI score, which was reported to be 4 before the start of Ayurvedic intervention, was improved to 10 at the end of 3 month Ayurvedic therapy.