Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Dystonia is a neurological dysfunction. It’s characterised by uncontrollable muscle contractions. These contractions would result in involuntary actions or irregular postures. It could have an effect on totally different elements of the physique and even the complete physique. The manifestation depends upon the underlying trigger.
Signs of Dystonia embrace uncontrolled and painful spasms of muscle tissue, repetitive actions, tremors occurring in rhythmic sample, muscle contractions lasting from seconds to minutes (persists for months in persistent circumstances), and muscle twist or stretch resulting in uncommon physique positions. Relying on the world of the physique concerned it presents in 5 patterns – focal, segmental, multifocal, hemi dystonia and generalized dystonia. Every current with a unique set of signs pertaining to the area bothered.
Associated Studying – ‘Dystonia – causes, signs, prevention, remedy’
On this article we’ll attempt to perceive dystonia from an Ayurveda perspective.
Dystonia: Ayurveda Understanding
Any single situation defined in Ayurveda can’t be precisely correlated with dystonia. Many circumstances defined, primarily within the context of Vata Vyadhi may be mentioned in correlation to Dystonia on account of similarity of those circumstances when it comes to their medical presentation, despite not precisely matching with one another as a illness entity. This understanding helps in addressing and managing instances of dystonia by means of Ayurveda interventions.
Beneath talked about are the totally different circumstances defined in Ayurveda treatises, which may be thought of on this dialogue, as circumstances resembling with medical image of Dystonia –
Vata Prakopa
‘Sankocha’ is a symptom talked about amongst the signs of vata aggravation. Sankocha means contractions. Dystonia is characterised by uncontrolled muscle contractions. Sankocha can be a phrase used to explain spasms and contractures, that are options of dystonia.
Equally, ‘Chaala’ i.e. extreme actions which depicts ‘irregular and uncontrollable muscle contractions’ which is a function of dystonia, too has been talked about amongst the actions of irregular or exaggerated vata.
‘Varta’ which suggests twisting or twitching, which is an impact of dystonia, can be a symptom of vata prakopa.
Yet one more time period ‘Spandana’ which suggests involuntary actions or twitching, can be considered one of vata prakopa signs.
Vata Nanatmaja Roga
There are 80 circumstances that are brought on solely by aggravated vata.
Some circumstances / ailments talked about within the checklist clarify ‘dystonia’. They’re –
Akshepa – which suggests convulsions, which is totally different from involuntary contractions. However this time period may be thought of to explain dystonia. It may be mentioned to be a variant of spandana and sankocha. All these phrases pertain to ‘hyperactivity of vata or chala guna of vata’.
Vepathu / Kampana – means tremors. These phrases too point out hyperactivity of vata and involuntary actions, as in dystonia.
Vata Vyadhi
Seeing the overall description of dystonia, it may be categorized below Vata Vyadhi – particular issues brought on by vitiation of ‘solely vata’. It’s a neurological dysfunction and all neurological issues are mentioned below Vata Vyadhi. This situation is characterised by uncontrollable muscle contractions which in flip leads to involuntary actions or irregular postures. Aggravated Vata is answerable for such muscular occasions.
Mamsagata Vata (a vata vyadhi)
Since this situation impacts the muscle tissue and trigger uncontrollable contractions and involuntary actions, it may be correlated with one more illness which has been defined below Vata Vyadhi i.e. Mamsagata Vata. Mamsagata Vata is a situation during which aggravated vata which will get localized within the muscle tissue of the physique would trigger these muscular occasions.
Sarvanga Vata and Ekanga Vata (a vata vyadhi)
Since this situation could have an effect on totally different elements of the physique and even the complete physique, it falls below the class of Sarvanga Vata – a situation during which aggravated vata impacts the entire physique. When a specific a part of the physique is concerned, it may be thought of as Ekanga Vata. Dystonia sort of presentation may be seen in each Ekanga and Sarvanga Vata.
From the attitude of signs and kinds of dystonia
The signs of Dystonia which incorporates uncontrollable and painful muscle spasms, repetitive actions, tremors, twisting, irregular postures, irregular stretching of muscle tissue are all contributory to aggravated vata.
Signs of various kinds of dystonia cowl below their umbrella, various kinds of Vata issues together with – Ekanga Vata, Sarvanga Vata, Pakshavadha, Ardita and Kampavata. So, dystonia covers a broad spectrum of Vata issues which incorporates the talked about circumstances.
From the attitude of causative components
Among the many causes of Dystonia, Parkinsonism, Epilepsy, Stroke and Traumatic Mind accidents have been talked about. Signs of dystonia are discovered within the Ayurveda counterparts of those circumstances i.e. Kampavata, Apasmara, Pakshavadha and Abhighata / Marma Abhighata respectively.
From the attitude of problems
Issues like impairment in each day actions, issues with muscle contractions of eyes, jaw motion, swallowing, speech, discomfort, exhaustion and nervousness point out involvement of vata.
Dystonia: Ayurveda Remedy Ideas
Nidana Parivarjana
Similar to in any illness, preserving away the causative components and triggers of the illness is essential in prevention and treatment of dystonia and likewise to forestall the development and problems of dystonia. From the Ayurveda viewpoint, all ‘vata aggravating’ etiological components is likely to be answerable for dystonia and all these components shall be stored away.
Treating Vata
As already mentioned, aggravated vata is principally answerable for dystonia and its signs and problems. Subsequently, all medicines, therapies, way of life modifications and practices which might convey again vata to a state of steadiness shall be thought of within the remedy of Dystonia.
Remedy on the traces of ‘Vata Vyadhi Chikitsa’
The remedy ideas of Vata Vyadhi shall be introduced into apply to comprehensively deal with dystonia. This consists of medicines, therapies, dietetic and way of life modifications.
Different remedy ideas
Dystonia shall be handled on the ideas of remedy of beneath talked about circumstances –
– Ekanga vata
– Sarvanga vata
– Pakshavadha / Pakshaghata
– Ardita
– Mamsagata Vata
– Kampavata
– Apasmara
Efficient exterior therapies
Beneath talked about exterior therapies are extremely efficient within the administration of Dystonia –
– Abhyanga – natural oil therapeutic massage – any vata mitigating oil can be utilized
– Swedana – sudation – Nadi Sweda, Bashpa Sweda, Pinda Sweda (patra and shashtika shali pinda sweda)
– Dhara – showering of medical liquids on the physique and head – any vata-mitigating oil or milk processed with vata-alleviating herbs shall be used
– Murdni Taila – oil therapies finished on the top – Shiro Dhara, Shito Vasti, Shiro Abhyanga, Shiro Pichu
Efficient Panchakarma Therapies
Dystonia and its problems may be successfully dealt with by administration of the beneath talked about Panchakarma measures skilfully –
– Virechana – on the traces of Pakshaghata Chikitsa – with medicated purging oils which might steadiness vata
– Vasti – Asthapana Vasti and Anuvasana Vasti shall be mixed skilfully, Matra Vasti too is useful
– Nasya – errhines with vata assuaging oils will likely be helpful
Helpful herbs
– Bala – Sida cordifolia
– Ashwagandha – Withania somnifera
– Kapikachchu – Mucuna pruriens
– Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia
– Dashamula – ten roots
– Medhya Rasayanas – herbs that are mind tonics
– Kushmanda – Benincasa hispida
Helpful formulations
– Maharasnadi Kashayam
– Erandamuladi Kashayam
– Ashtavargam Kashayam
– Balaguluchyadi Kashayam
– Dhanwantaram Kashayam
– Gandharvahastadi Eranda Taila
– Nimbamritadi Erannda Tailam
– Balarishtam
– Ashwagandharishtam
– Saraswatharishtam
– Saraswata Churna
– Vanari Gutika / Vanari Kalpa / Kapikachchu Churna
– Ashwagandha Churna
– Ksheerabala Tailam 101
