A 57-year-old woman with a history of cervical spondylosis and approximately one year of severe left-sided neck pain, restricted neck movement and associated thigh and calf muscle pain underwent a 7-day individualized Ayurvedic inpatient treatment at Tatva Ayurved, Kozhikode (Calicut). The treatment included Dhanyamla Dhara, Lepanam, Abhyangam, Pradhana Podikizhi, Podikizhi and Greeva Pichu. At the documented 10-day follow-up, the treating team reported a noticeable reduction in her complaints.
Important: This is an individual clinical case study. The outcome described here relates to one patient and should not be interpreted as a guarantee that other people with neck pain or cervical spondylosis will experience the same results.
The patient was a 57-year-old female admitted for inpatient Ayurvedic treatment on 2 June 2026. Her documented Ayurvedic treatment duration was seven days.
She presented with:
Severe pain at the nape of the neck, predominantly on the left side
Restricted neck movements
Pain in the thigh and calf muscles
General weakness
Reduced appetite
Occasional shivering of the lips and fingers
The neck pain had been present for approximately one year, while the case history records a longer history of neck and shoulder symptoms and a previous diagnosis of cervical spondylosis.
According to the case history, the patient had initially developed neck and shoulder pain approximately four years earlier and had been diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. She had previously received treatment at Tatva Ayurved and reported relief. Approximately one year before the present admission, the pain returned after travelling by bus and became more prominent on the left side of her neck. At the time of admission, she also reported pain throughout the body, particularly in the thigh and calf regions, after travelling, along with weakness.
This history is important because persistent or recurrent neck pain can have different underlying causes. An appropriate treatment plan therefore requires individual assessment rather than simply choosing a massage or therapy based on symptoms.
The patient's documented blood pressure at assessment was 150/80 mmHg, pulse was 74/minute, and weight was 72 kg. Her general condition was described as fair, and the locomotor system was documented as affected. The Ayurvedic assessment documented Vata prakopa, described in the case record alongside Vishamasana (wrong postures), with findings including Bala Hani, Greeva Ruja and Shotha.
The documented Ayurvedic Samprapti included:
Dosha: Vata
Dushya: Asthi
Agni: Samagni
Srotas: Asthivaha
Sroto Dushti: Sanga + Kshaya
The final diagnosis recorded in the case was Kasheruka Sandhigata Vata.
The patient underwent a 7-day inpatient Ayurvedic treatment programme. The documented external treatment protocol included a combination of therapies rather than relying on a single procedure.
1. Dhanyamla Dhara – 3 Days
Dhanyamla Dhara was documented for three days as part of the treatment protocol.
2. Lepanam – 3 Days
Lepanam was administered for three days.
3. Abhyangam – 1 Day
Abhyangam was included as part of the treatment programme.
4. Pradhana Podikizhi – 1 Day
Pradhana Podikizhi was administered for one day.
5. Podikizhi – 4 Days
Podikizhi was administered for four days.
6. Greeva Pichu – 5 Days
Greeva Pichu was included for five days as a localized Ayurvedic therapy for the neck region.
The case record also documents internally administered Ayurvedic medicines. Because medicines should be selected and prescribed according to an individual's clinical assessment, they are not being presented here as a general recommendation for neck pain.
One of the important insights from this case is that the treatment was not based on a single Ayurvedic therapy. The treating team combined localized therapies with broader external treatment approaches. According to the clinical discussion, the combination of the therapies was intended to address the patient's neck-region complaints and associated pain.
The case record specifically reports that the combined effect of the documented Dhara and Abhyangam was associated with reduction of swelling in the neck region, while Lepanam, Podikizhi and Greeva Pichu were reported to help relieve pain.
This individualized approach is also consistent with Tatva Ayurved's broader approach to Abhyangam, where the treatment, oil, technique and combination with other therapies are selected according to the person's condition rather than treating every patient with the same massage protocol.
Related treatment:
Abhyangam Ayurvedic Oil Massage in Calicut
https://www.tatvaayurved.com/treatments/treatments-abhyangam-therapy
The case record provides objective observations before and after treatment.
| Parameter | Before Treatment | After Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 72 kg | 70 kg |
| Sleep | Sound | Sound |
| Blood Pressure | 150/80 mmHg | 123/71 mmHg |
The treating team concluded that the patient showed significant improvement and documented a very noticeable reduction in her complaints at the 10-day follow-up.
These observations should be understood in the context of a single clinical case. The case record does not provide standardized pain scores, validated disability scores or quantified range-of-motion measurements, so those outcomes should not be inferred.
Dhanyamla Dhara
Dhanyamla Dhara is an Ayurvedic Dhara procedure using a warm fermented liquid preparation. In this case, it was documented as part of the patient's seven-day inpatient treatment programme.
Abhyangam
Abhyangam is a traditional Ayurvedic oil massage involving the application of appropriately selected oil using specific massage techniques.
At Tatva Ayurved, Abhyangam may be used for wellness as well as within individualized therapeutic programmes for selected musculoskeletal complaints.
Learn more:
https://www.tatvaayurved.com/treatments/treatments-abhyangam-therapy
Podikizhi
Podikizhi, also known as Choorna Pinda Sweda, is an Ayurvedic fomentation therapy using herbal powder preparations contained in boluses.
Tatva Ayurved's Podikizhi treatment page describes its use in selected cases involving stiffness, musculoskeletal discomfort and restricted movement, while emphasizing that suitability depends on individual assessment.
Learn more:
https://www.tatvaayurved.com/treatments/treatments-podikizhi-therapy
Greeva Pichu
Greeva Pichu is a localized Ayurvedic treatment in which an appropriate medicated oil is retained over the neck region for a prescribed period. It was administered for five days in this case.
Lepanam
Lepanam involves the external application of an Ayurvedic herbal preparation over a selected body area. In this case, it was administered for three days and the treating team associated it with reduction of pain.
The most useful insight from this case is individualization. The patient did not receive a generic "neck pain massage." Her treatment programme was based on her history, symptoms, Ayurvedic assessment and clinical presentation. The case also demonstrates why chronic neck pain should not be approached as a one-size-fits-all problem. Different patients may require different combinations of therapies, and some may require further medical evaluation before undergoing Ayurvedic procedures.
For readers looking for Ayurvedic treatment for neck pain in Calicut, this distinction is important: the appropriate therapy should be decided after consultation rather than selected solely from an online list of treatments.
For people experiencing persistent neck, shoulder, back or joint discomfort, the following resources may be useful:
Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis & Joint Disorders
https://www.tatvaayurved.com/treatments/treatments-arthritis-therapy
Ayurvedic Case Study: Shoulder, Elbow & Neck Pain
https://www.tatvaayurved.com/blogs/ayurvedic-joint-pain-treatment-case-study-calicut
Podikizhi Treatment in Calicut
https://www.tatvaayurved.com/treatments/treatments-podikizhi-therapy
These pages provide additional information about how individual Ayurvedic therapies may form part of a broader treatment plan. Tatva Ayurved's treatment pages also emphasize that persistent pain requires appropriate assessment rather than self-selection of therapies.
Ayurveda has a long history as a traditional system of healthcare, while modern clinical evidence varies considerably across individual therapies and conditions. The World Health Organization recognizes traditional, complementary and integrative medicine as an important area of global health and emphasizes the importance of evidence, safety, quality and appropriate use. WHO also publishes international standards and benchmarks relating specifically to Ayurveda practice.
For readers interested in understanding Ayurveda within the broader global health context, the following authoritative resources are useful:
WHO – International Standard Terminologies on Ayurveda
https://www.who.int/publications/b/55789
WHO – Benchmarks for the Practice of Ayurveda
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240042674
These resources provide broader context and should not be interpreted as clinical evidence that a particular Ayurvedic therapy will produce the outcome described in this individual case.
This case documents the Ayurvedic management of a 57-year-old woman with a history of cervical spondylosis, recurrent neck pain, restricted neck movement and associated muscle pain.
She underwent a 7-day individualized inpatient Ayurvedic treatment programme incorporating Dhanyamla Dhara, Lepanam, Abhyangam, Pradhana Podikizhi, Podikizhi and Greeva Pichu. The clinical record reports a noticeable reduction in her complaints at a 10-day follow-up.
The broader lesson is that persistent neck pain requires individual assessment. Ayurveda may be considered as part of a personalized care plan where appropriate, but the treatment should be selected by a qualified practitioner after evaluating the patient's overall health and symptoms.
If you are experiencing persistent neck pain, stiffness or restricted movement, consult an Ayurveda physician before selecting a therapy. Tatva Ayurved, Kozhikode (Calicut) provides physician-led Ayurvedic assessment and individualized treatment programmes for musculoskeletal and other health concerns.
Book a consultation and discuss your condition with our Ayurveda physicians.
Can Ayurveda help with chronic neck pain?
Ayurvedic treatment may be considered as part of an individualized approach to chronic neck and musculoskeletal complaints. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual's symptoms, assessment and overall health. This case describes one patient's experience and does not guarantee the same outcome for others.
What Ayurvedic treatments were used for neck pain in this case?
The documented treatment protocol included Dhanyamla Dhara, Lepanam, Abhyangam, Pradhana Podikizhi, Podikizhi and Greeva Pichu over a seven-day inpatient programme.
How long was the Ayurvedic treatment?
The patient underwent seven days of inpatient Ayurvedic treatment, followed by a documented follow-up after 10 days.
What is Greeva Pichu?
Greeva Pichu is a localized Ayurvedic therapy involving the application and retention of suitable medicated oil over the neck region for a prescribed duration.
What is Podikizhi?
Podikizhi is an Ayurvedic fomentation therapy using herbal powder preparations contained in boluses. Its suitability depends on the patient's condition and Ayurvedic assessment.
Is Abhyangam suitable for everyone with neck pain?
Not necessarily. Abhyangam is an individualized Ayurvedic therapy, and the oil, technique, duration and treatment combination should be selected according to the person's condition.
Can I undergo the same treatment as this patient?
Not automatically. A case study describes one patient's clinical situation. Another person with neck pain or cervical spondylosis may have a different cause, severity, medical history or treatment requirement.
Where can I get Ayurvedic treatment for neck pain in Calicut?
You can consult the Ayurveda physicians at Tatva Ayurved, Kozhikode (Calicut), for an individual assessment and treatment plan.
Abhyangam: Traditional Ayurvedic oil massage using appropriately selected oils and therapeutic techniques.
Dhanyamla Dhara: An Ayurvedic Dhara procedure using a warm fermented liquid preparation.
Dhara: An Ayurvedic procedure involving the controlled flow of a liquid over a selected area.
Greeva: The neck region in Ayurvedic terminology.
Greeva Pichu: A localized Ayurvedic therapy involving retention of suitable medicated oil over the neck region.
Lepanam: External application of an Ayurvedic herbal preparation over a selected body area.
Podikizhi: An Ayurvedic fomentation therapy using herbal powder preparations contained in boluses.
Pradhana Podikizhi: The specific Podikizhi procedure documented as part of this patient's treatment protocol.
Vata: One of the three Doshas described in Ayurveda.
Vishamasana: A term used in the case record in relation to improper or irregular posture.
Kasheruka Sandhigata Vata: The Ayurvedic diagnostic term recorded as the final diagnosis in this case.
Samprapti: The Ayurvedic description of the development or pathogenesis of a disease condition.
Srotas: Channels or pathways described within Ayurvedic physiology and pathology.
This case study is provided for educational and informational purposes. It describes the documented treatment and follow-up of one individual and does not establish that the same treatment or outcome will apply to other patients. Persistent, severe, progressive or unexplained neck pain should receive appropriate medical evaluation. Ayurvedic therapies and medicines should be undertaken only after consultation with a qualified practitioner. Do not stop, change or replace prescribed medication without advice from the healthcare professional managing your condition.
