Ayurveda understanding of katishula (low back pain) as a vyadhi or lakshana: a historical review

Summary of article contents:

Low back pain is a very common health problem worldwide and a major cause of disability affecting performance at work and general wellbeing. Though several risk factors have been identified including occupational posture, depressive moods, obesity, body height and age, the causes of the onset of low back pain remain obscure and diagnosis difficult to make. Low back pain affects people of all ages, from children to the elderly, and is a very frequent reason for medical consultations. The 2010 Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that low back pain is among the top 10 diseases. Prevalence increases and peaks between the ages of 35 years and 55 years. Katishula or Low back pain is one of the Vataja Nanatmaja vikaras . The symptoms of Katishula explained in the Classics when compared to Low back pain almost appear similar, so we can corelate Katishula with Low back pain. Many a times in our clinical practice we come across patients complaining of Katishula (low back pain) as a common symptom which can be seen in many of the diseases with different way of presentation based on the severity of the condition. Hence the Present article is built on a detailed historical search on Katishula as per the various classical references, in understanding it merely as a symptom or the disease proper. Keywords: Low back pain, Katishula , Vataja nanatmaja vikara