CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL RESOLUTION OF CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY FROM MULTIPLE DISC HERNIATIONS THROUGH AYURVEDA: A CASE REPORT

Cervical radiculopathy is a pathological condition characterized by nerve root compression, commonly resulting from herniated disc material, spondylotic changes, or other aetiologies. This neural impingement typically manifests as cervical and radicular arm pain, along with associated symptoms such as numbness, sensory deficits, or motor dysfunction affecting the cervical region and upper extremities. The patient presented with a history of neck pain radiating to the left upper limb, accompanied by tingling and numbness, which had been acutely and severely exacerbated during physical activity. Previous treatments had provided only temporary relief. The patient approached for Ayurvedic treatment at the Panchakarma Outpatient Department (OPD) of Vasantadada Patil Ayurveda Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra. His Neck Disability Index (NDI) was 60% which indicates severe disability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recommended, revealing multiple disc bulges, protrusions, and one acute disc herniation. The treatment regimen included Panchakarma, specifically Nasya (Nasal instillation of Medicine) and Greeva Basti (localized cervical fomentation with medicated oil), alongside oral Ayurvedic medications (Shamana Chikitsa). After four months of continuous treatment, the patient reported being clinically asymptomatic. His Neck Disability Index (NDI) was reduced to 9%. Following the interventions, provocative maneuvers such as Spurling's test, Lhermitte's test, and Bakody's test showed negative results. Tenderness improved from grade 2 to grade 0, and the biceps reflex initially diminished at grade 1+, but it returned to a normal grade of 2+. A follow-up MRI was conducted to assess post-treatment radiological changes, revealing complete normalization of the previously identified abnormalities.