A Case report on Management of Parkinson’s disease through Ayurveda

Parkinson\'s disease (PD) is a common neuro-degenerative disorder which is more prevalent among people over the age of 60. The average life expectancy following diagnosis is between 7 and 14 years. The modern management claims least cure, with treatment directed at improving symptoms. Here we report a case of a 69-year-old female who is a home maker, suffering from PD since a year presented to the OPD of the CARI, New Delhi with the main complaints of slowness of movement, rigidity in the limbs, postural instability, and impaired balance leading to frequent falls. She initially approached modern medicine but found mild improvement. This case was diagnosed as Kampavata under vatavyadhi. The treatment protocol was adopted accordingly. The case was administered with Pratimarsha Nasya, Shiroabhyanga, Shiropichu and Shamanoshadhas for 6 months followed by 3 months follow up. Patient responded well with overall improvement in symptomatology which was assessed on the basis of ‘Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale’ (UPDRS) in the subscale of 1 to 3 with 25%, 28.57% and 29.62% changes respectively and maintenance of state of wellness during follow-up was observed. There was no reporting of adverse effects during the course of treatment. Based on the basic principles of Ayurveda most of the diseases of the Vata are essentially the conditions of degenerative diseases of the nervous system and PD is one such condition caused by imbalances of Vata in elderly. Hence the treatment was planned together with the measures to prevent and re-establish deranged doshas and manas (mind).