Integrative Therapy for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury – Case Series
- Country : India
- Subject : Integrative medicine
Keywords : Neonatal brachial plexus injury, brachial plexus birth injury, erb’s palsy, klumpke’s palsy, total brachial plexus palsy and complete nerve avulsion
Abstract
Brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI)/neonatal brachial plexus injury involves injury of one or all nerves of brachial plexus. It is conglomeration of lower four cervical and first thoracic nerves (C5-T1). Site of nerve root injury can be pre-ganglionic or post-ganglionic and severity of injury is inversely proportionate to extent of recovery. According to Ayurveda this can be considered as abhighata janya ekanga vata vyadhi (trauma induced vata afflicting one part of the body). Severe nerve injury/avulsion/complete nerve tear hampers muscle and bone growth hence it is apatarpana in nature (deprived growth of body tissue). Therefore santarpana (nourishing) and vata hara (pacifying vata) is the line of treatment. Ayurveda treatments included sthanika abhyanga (SA-oil massage) and shashtika shali pinda sweda (SSPS). Physiotherapy included electric stimulation for muscle power between 0-3 along with exercises. Type of exercises depends on muscle power; passive exercises for 0-2, active assisted for 2-3 and active exercises for muscle power 3-5. Five cases of BPBI successfully treated at SGS Hospital with early integrative treatments commenced between 8-12 weeks after diagnosis; treated for total of 6-12 sessions with optimal recovery are discussed. Encouraging results of 80-95% of recovery were observed in all five cases ranging from moderate to severe injury including nerve roots avulsion. Improved muscle power, active joint range and unhindered daily activity were achieved without any complications like limb length discrepancy, deformities, joint dislocation or contractures in all cases.
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