Ayurvedic management of Kati shoola (Lumbar spondylolisthesis): A case report

Spondylolisthesis is defined as the anterior slippage of one vertebral body relative to the adjacent one. It can be divided into five different types based on etiology, first described by Newman and Stone: congenital, spondylolytic, traumatic, degenerative, and pathologic. Although displacement can occur posteriorly or laterally, spondylolisthesis is synonymous with anterior displacement of the vertebral body. In Ayurveda Lumber Spondylolisthesis can be correlated with Kati shoola, Katigraha, Kati stambha, Trika graham, Prusthashoola and Grudrasi. This article deals with the case of diagnosed grade I Lumbar Spondylolisthesis of L4 – L5 which got advised for surgery. Management was done in this case with Abhyanga, Swedana, Kati Basti and Virechana along with internal medications. Before treatment, total score on Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire was 42 (70%) and at the time of discharge, the score was 9 (15%). On Roland-Morris Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire, the before treatment score was 17 and at the time of discharge it was reduced to 4. The present case report substantiates effectiveness of classical Ayurvedic Management in lumbar spondylolisthesis.