A Pain Management through Ayurveda (Viddha Karma) in Gridhrasi (Sciatica) – A Case Report

Abstract

Gridhrasi (Sciatica) is a musculoskeletal disorder in ayurveda, in which patient walks like gridha (vulture), So named as gridhrasi. In this disease, extreme and radiating pain occurs from the lower back to thighs and legs. In today’s era, vata vyadhi become so much common, not only old people but youngers also start becoming the patient of vata vyadhi. Here, one of them is Gridhrasi (Sciatica). In this article, I am presenting a case study on a 34-year-old patient with the complaints of Ruka (Pain), Toda (Pricking pain), and Stambha (Stiffness) start from Sphik (Buttock) and radiate toward Kati (Lumber region), Uru (Thighs), Janu (Knee joint), and Pada (legs) and left leg SLR positive was treated with ayurveda. Panchakarma is a group of various kind of therapies, which helps in the treatment in ayurveda. It has its own importance as it works on overall aspects of diseased as well as healthy person too. It does purification of body and gives nutrition too. Viddha karma is explained in Sushrut Samhita and it works very good in pain management as it helps in eradication of Avrodha (vata) [Obstruction] in ayurveda avrutta vata is the main cause of pain in Gridhrasi. According to Acharya Sushrut, the site of Viddha karma is 4 angula (finger) above and below the knee crease on the lateral aspect, but it also can be given at the site of the pain. This whole study was completed in 30 days, where Viddha karma was performed on every alternate day in first 7 days and then every 3rd day for 21 days.