Ayurveda offers a very tangible alternative that works in almost any case of a prolapsed or slipped disc. Ayurvedic medications comprising herbal decoctions, tablets, capsules, and oils for external application are very effective in providing relief in patients with mild to moderate problems. Persons with chronic problems and those with severe intensity of symptoms would require Ayurvedic therapies like Abhyanga (Medicated Oil applications and massages), Swedana (Sudation therapy), Shodana therapies (detoxification) using Vasthi in the case of back pain-related problems and Nasyam in the case of neck related problems. These therapies are used to heal the nerves affected by the herniated disc and to relieve the muscular spasm as well.
As per Ayurveda, the conditions which can result in back pain include the external traumatic factor that is abhighataja and the internal factor that is nija. Joints are sites of sleshaka sleshma (kapha) and the lower back (kati) is a vata-specific site. According to Ayurveda, intervertebral disc prolapse problems occur at three levels. Mamsa dhatu, majja dhatu, and asthi dhatu are the three different tissue levels. Mamsa means muscles; asthi means bones, and majja means everything which is present in the bones.