AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A CASE REPORT

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult motor neuron disease and it is characterized by selective death of upper and lower motor neurons causing muscle atrophy, weakness and spasticity. The present report deals with a case of ALS diagnosed as kapha avrita praana, udaana and vyaana vata according to Ayurveda. Efficacy of treatment was calculated by using Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale – Revised (ALSFRS-R). Before treatment, total score of ALSFRS-R was 17 and at the time of discharge the score was 29. Various panchakarma procedures panchakarma procedures like udwartana, sarvanga abhyanga, bashpa sweda, shashtika shali pinda sweda and vasti were implemented along with internal Ayurvedic medicines. Good improvement was observed in items like ‘speech’, ‘excessive salivation’, ‘deglutition’, ‘ability to walk’, and ‘shortness of breath’. No change was noticed in fine motor movements, tremors of both hands and in fasciculation of the tongue. Ayurvedic panchakarma therapy along with internal medication has provided promising results in present case.