Abstract

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT IN SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Minakshi* and Rakesh Sharma

Abstract

Ayurveda stood always as a ray of hope in many diseases, when patient have got ultimatum from modern practitioners. One of such diseases is cerebral palsy which defined as a group of permanent disorders of movement and posture due to insults in developing foetal or infant brain generally characterized by paralysis, weakness, incoordination, or any other aberration of motor function due to pathology of the motor control centres of the brain which hamper the development of children. It occurs all around the world, causing considerable hardship to affected individuals and their families. CP is a common childhood disability with prevalence of 2:1000 live births (3:1000 live births in India), while more than 5-10% children are affected by Mental Retardation. It cannot be co-related with any single disease or condition in Ayurveda as it is a multifactorial condition. The important causative factors are the improper diet and regimen followed during pregnancy, Akalapravahanam (untimely contractures during labour), head injury during delivery, Garbha sosham (Intrauterine Growth Retardation) etc. Due to these aetiology Dhatu Kshaya occurs followed by Vata dosha prakopa and which may manifest itself in any form like Sosha, Pangu, Jadatwam, Phakka Roga and Pakshaghata etc. Vitiated Vata Dosha is to be considered the root cause of Shiro Marma Abhighata Vata vikara, which may manifest as CP & CPMR. The spasticity was assessed through the range of motion of joints (GMFCS) while the motor and mental developments were assessed by developmental assessment scales for Indian infants (DASII) etc. We can assume vitiation of vata dosha during fetal or infantile period, Paediatric Panchkarma is a very unique procedure because of its therapeutic, preventive, prophylactic and rejuvinating properties. Vata shaman including snehanan, swedana (Shastik shali pinda sweda, Nadi sweda) and vata shodhana (vastikarma). So along with panchakarma procedure a group of Medhya drugs/Vatahara drugs are used.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Spasticity, Vathavyadhi Chikitsa, Panchakarma, Medhya drugs.