Role of Virechan in the management of Ankylosing Spondylitis - A Case Study

Abstract

Ankylosing Spondylitis is probably an autoimmune disorder with genetic component HLAB27 as important causative factor and having characteristic inflammatory back pain. As is a gradually progressive condition over several years until structural damage manifests clinically as sacroiliitis, loss of spinal mobility and reduce quality of life. It is also called as Marie Stumpell and Bechterew’s disease. It affects primarily the sacroiliac joint, spine, certain peripheral joints, tendon can also be affected and extra articular manifestation may be present sometimes. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that can cause the vertebrae to fuse in advanced stages. It is more common in male than female. Signs and symptoms typically begin in early adulthood. No satisfactory treatment is available in modern medicine for this disease. In the present case report, a 21 year old female patient presented with complaints pain the lower back region accompanied by early morning stiffness and pain radiating to B/L hip joints. This pain was insidious in onset which brought the patient to OPD of Arthritis Clinic (Aamvata) of Pandit Khushilal Sharma Government Ayurveda Institute Bhopal. As per Ayurvedic classics, this condition can be correlated with Aamvata and treated with Panchkarma procedure Virechan karma. The outcome was very remarkable she got symptomatic relief assessed by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index without causing any adverse effect.