Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

Abstract

Stiff person syndrome is a rare, growing autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, specifically the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms may include extreme stiffening of muscles, rigidity and painful spasms in trunk and limbs, intensively impaired mobility. With time, Stiff person syndrome can lead to an altered posture. These patients are sensitive to noise, sudden movements and emotional distress which can lead to muscle spasm. And these spasms can cause enough force to break the bone. In severe stages this disease can limit walking or free movements. In this article we are going to discuss Stiff person syndrome, treatment and its ayurvedic aspect.

Introduction Of Stiff Person Syndrome

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder characterised by progressive stiffness and rigidity also named as Morsch woltman syndrome. This disorder primarily affects the truncal muscles and is superimposed by spasm, resulting in postural deformities. SPS is a rare disease and commonly found in middle-aged people and more common in women than male.

Causes Of Stiff Person Syndrome

Oftenly, the cause is unknown in most cases. But in some of the cases, Experts say this is an autoimmune disease, a pathological condition where our immune system influences healthy cells. In many conditions the body starts to make antibodies that affect an enzyme known as Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) which decreases the amount of GABA in the body. This enzyme plays a major role in making a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which controls muscle movements. The exact cause is still not known, infact, in some cases people do not have sensible antibodies to GAD.

Symptoms Of Stiff Person Syndrome

Symptoms of SPS may take a few months to years to develop. This is a very slowly growing disease.

• The most common symptom is enlargement and stiffness in trunk or abdominal muscles.
• Other symptoms may include – pain, muscle stiffness, discomfort. In early stages these symptoms come and go but with time stiffness remains constant. As the disease progresses over time, arm muscles, leg muscles, face muscles start to become stiff and rigid. As a result patients start to develop a hunched posture that can make it difficult to walk or move.
• Spasmodic pain can last for a few seconds, minutes or even for hours. These painful muscle spasms are severe enough to dislocate or break the bone. These painful spasms may worsen muscle stiffness.

Diagnosis Of Stiff Person Syndrome

1. Blood tests to detect GAD antibodies
2. Electromyography
3. MRI

Treatment Of Stiff Person Syndrome

There is no permanent cure for SPS. However, symptomatic treatments are available to manage the disease accordingly.

• Symptomatic therapy
• Analgesics
• Muscle relaxants
• Anti-seizure medication
• Antidepressants

As we notice there are many side effects of allopathic medicines and recurrence of the symptoms of the disease can occur. In Ayurveda we can maintain the balance of dosha to control the disease. Modern medicines result in many health issues whereas Ayurveda provides excellent health advantages with the treatment of the above condition and the main purpose of ancient therapies is to diminish any disease from its seed. The concepts of universal interconnection, the body’s constitution (Prakriti), and Dosha are the primary basis ofAyurveda. It can be concluded that with appropriate and timely management of tridosha present in our body, the quality of life of the patient can be improved effectively and goals of treatment are remove impurities, reducing symptoms, and enhances consistency in life as described by Acharya Charak and Sushruta in Classical Samhitas. Ayurvedic treatment subsides the doshas and helps to balance all the three dosha present in the body and by lifestyle modifications we can maintain a balanced health and enhance life.

Ayurveda View Of Stiff Person Syndrome

Now we are going to discuss the Ayurveda aspect of Stiff person syndrome. In the ancient times all the rogas (diseases) were managed by Ayurvedic culture and the treatment was effective. Ayurveda treats patients from previous times and effectively cures the patient. As per Ayurveda we can correlate the above condition with Vata vyadhi. This condition is characterised due to vitiation of Vata dosha. The treatment of Vata vyadhi in ayurveda involves medication to nourish the spinal vertebrae or discs. Sleeping properly and eating freshly cooked food by improving lifestyle can help to improve the disease of patients.

Herbal Remedies By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a herbal manufacturing company that provides great therapy for every health worried patient. Here are some formulations that are made under proper direction by Ayurveda Doctors and these are 100% natural. There are no added dyes, additives, used. Planet Ayurveda is an established herbal manufacturing company that is known to manufacture effective herbal remedies as described in Ayurvedic texts. There are no side effects of our formulations and Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified herbal company. In the above condition we give many formulations to manage this disease very well. These are-

1. Pitta Balance
2. Yograj Guggul
3. Boswellia Curcumin
4. Brahmi Capsules
5. Ashwagandha Capsules
6. Vrihat Vatchintamani Rasa

Products Description

1. Pitta Balance

It is a poly herbal capsule. Consists of Praval pishti (coral calcium), Akik pishti (agatte calcium), Jahar mohra pishti (an ayurvedic calcium compound) etc. This is an incredible ayurvedic formulation that has anti inflammatory, digestive, anti microbial, analgesic and has great immunomodulatory properties that can treat general debility, peripheral neuropathies, restlessness. It pacifies all the three doshas and has a positive effect on various dhatus which are rasa, rakta, mamsa, asthi.

Dosage: 1 to 2 capsules twice daily, with plain water, after meals.

2. Yograj Guggul

It is a classical formulation, which is traditionally used in Ayurveda for painful joints and muscles. It consists of Guggul resin (Commiphora mukul), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), pippali (Piper longum) etc. This formulation helps to maintain healthy metabolism and removes toxins from the system. It strengthens our skeletal and neuromuscular systems and is very effective in pain and inflammation and stops the degenerative process of the body.

Dosage: 2 tablets two times a day with warm water, after meals.

3. Boswellia Curcumin

Major ingredients are Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (curcuma longa). It is very effective in muscle pain and swelling as it has a property of anti-inflammatory. It is effective in relieving stiffness. It works efficiently on neuromuscular disease. It is an effective pain killer and helps to relieve spasms.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily after meal with plain water.

4. Brahmi Capsules (Bacopa monnieri)

It is a staple herb in Ayurvedic traditional medicine. Brahmi has been used in Ayurvedic medicines for centuries and it has marvellous results in improving memory, calming anxiety, treating epilepsy, and many more benefits. It is an effective analgesic and helps to relieve stiffness.

Dosage: 1 to 2 capsules twice with plain water.

5. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha capsule is a single herb formulation. Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) standard extract is used to make the medicine. It is considered the safest medicine to be used for neuromuscular diseases. Apart from extraordinary effects on different kinds of neurodegenerative disease, Ashwagandha has various other benefits like it is highly beneficial in musculoskeletal disease, stress, anxiety, arthritis, and different types of pain.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice with warm water after meals.

6. Vrihat Vatchintamani Ras

It is an ayurvedic classical herbal formulation consisting of Swarna Bhasma (Calx of Gold), Abhrak Bhasma (Calx of Mica), etc. This formulation is used in the Vata dosha imbalance such as neuropathies, tremors, tingling sensation in feet, stiffness in muscles. This formulation also provides strength to the joints and is very effective in neurodegenerative disease.

Dosage: 1 tablet twice a day to be chewed with plain water after meals.

Anupana – It is administered with honey and Musta Kshaya.

Conclusion

In the ancient era all the diseases were controlled by Ayurvedic medication that was very effective and gave miraculous results. Ayurveda treats patients effectively and is better to take Ayurvedic medicines because it has no side effects with best results over the years and because all the medications are free from any preservatives and other chemicals that affect your health. As mentioned in the article Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies are able to manage the stiff person syndrome very effectively without going under the painful and life threatening surgeries. Ayurvedic science shows importance on treating the root cause of the disease and it is able to eliminate them permanently.