Low Back Pain Management through Bowel Lavage (Panchaprasrutik Basti)—A Single Arm Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is a pervasive and often debilitating musculoskeletal condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Low back pain affects 619 million globally (10%) and may rise to 843 million by 2050. It causes 8% years lived with disability and 4.6% disability-adjusted life years in India, with a 1.2%–2.3%. Ayurvedic interventions offer potential relief, specifically Panchaprasrutik Basti (bowel lavage/enema). This study investigates Basti’s therapeutic effects on low back pain.Objectives: To assess Panchaprasrutik Basti’s efficacy in reducing Katishula (low back pain) using the visual analog scale (VAS). Also, the efficacy of Panchaprasrutik Basti in the restriction of movement and tenderness of Katishula will be assessed using the coin test.Materials and Methods: This was an interventional, open-label, single-arm, single-center, prospective study of a sample size of 35 patients. Inclusion criteria encompassed patients having symptoms of Katishula (lumbar pain), Katigraha (restriction of movement), Sparshasahatva (tenderness), and ages between 18 and 70 years. Therapeutic intervention in the study compromised Panchaprasrutik Basti (enema) for 7 days. Outcome measures included the VAS for pain severity and the coin test for restriction of movement and tenderness, comparing baseline and post-treatment data.Results: Thirty-five participants completed the study. Statistical analysis showed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in low back pain symptoms.Conclusion: This study evaluated the effectiveness of Panchaprasrutik Basti (480 mL, 7 days) in managing low back pain. Results show significant symptom improvement and enhanced quality of life, validating Ayurvedic medicine as a safe and effective alternative therapy.

Keywords: Enema; Katishula; low back pain; Panchakarma; Panchaprasrutik Basti