A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY ON PARISHEKA SWEDA WITH VISHAGARBHA TAILA AND TILA TAILA IN KATIGRAHA

Abstract

Swedana Karma is one among the Shadupakrama (Six treatment modalities), indicated in the management of various diseases caused by Vata. Parisheka Sweda is a type of Drava Sweda which can be applied as Ekanga (over a body part) or Sarvanga (whole body). Katigraha (low back pain with stiffness) is a condi-tion which is characterized by Shoola (pain) and Stabdhata (stiffness) in Kati Pradesha (lumbo - sacral region) due to vitiated Vata. Swedana helps to relieve the pain and stiffness. Parisheka Sweda acts over whole Kati Pradesha (lumbo - sacral region), hence it will be more beneficial in this condition. Vishagarbha Taila contains Tikshna and Ushna Guna drugs and is specially indicated in Katigraha (low back pain with stiffness). Tila Taila is best among Vatahara Dravyas. Hence this study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of Parisheka Sweda with Vishagarbha Taila and Tila Taila in the management of Katigraha (low back pain with stiffness) to ascertain the better modality. Total 40 patients were randomly selected and divided in two equal groups. Group VT patients were given Vishagarbha Taila Parisheka Sweda and group TT patients were given Tila Taila Parisheka Sweda for half an hour once a day for 1 week over Kati Pradesha (lumbo - sacral region). Statistical analysis showed that both groups showed good improvement in various parameters of Katigraha (low back pain with stiffness). When comparison was done between the groups, it revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups except in stiffness (p<0.001) and left lateral flexion (p<0.05). Hence it can be concluded that both Vishagarbha Taila Parisheka Sweda and Tila Taila Parisheka Sweda may be accepted in treating patients with Katigraha (low back pain with stiffness) to reduce both signs and symptoms successfully.