The effect of Asthapada Panchaloha Shalaka Agnikarma in the pain management of Gridhrasi w.s.r. to Sciatica

Abstract

Gridhrasi is a disease explained by Brihatrayees in the context of Vatavyadhi Adhyaya. The earliest reference about the details of Gridhrasi is available from Sushruta Samhita (1500 BC). Gridhrasi is included in Vatajna Natmaja Vyadhi and also considered as Mahagada by Acharya Charaka. In all Ayurvedic literature, there is no direct reference regarding Nidana, but it is included in Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi, general Vata Prakopaka Hetus are to be considered. On the basis of symptoms, Gridhrasi can be correlated with the disease Sciatica in the modern parlance, which occurs because of spinal nerve irritation and characterized by its distinct nature of pain in distribution of sciatic nerve and often it is associated with lumbago. The Gridhrasi is commonly seen in society as a major problem which incapacitates patient to perform his daily routine activities because of severe pain from Katin Pradesha to Padanguli. In modern medicine in reference to sciatica treatment, there is no definitemn curative treatment other than symptomatic management. Objectives of the study was to evaluate the effect of Asthapada Panchaloha Shalaka Agnikarma in the pain management of Gridhrasi w.s.r. to Sciatica and to compare the effect of Bindu Panchaloha Shalaka Agnikarma in the pain management of Gridhrasi. In present study 40 patients with confirmed clinical diagnosis of Gridhrasi/Sciatica were selected randomly and divided into two groups of each 20 patients. Group A patients were treated with Asthapada Panchaloha Shalaka Agnikarma and Group B patients were treated with Bindu Panchaloha Shalaka Agnikarma. After the treatment it was observed that there was statistically significant results in the main signs and symptoms i.e. pain in lumbar region, numbness, SLR test. The study shows that the treatment is statistically significant in Group A when compared to Group B. Group A overall result is 87.29% and Group B overall result is 84.64%.