Gridhrasi (Sciatica) – Ayurveda Management

Abstract

Gridhrasi has become a common disease in today’s times. It is one amongst the “eighty diseases of Vata”. ‘Gridhra’ refers to “Vulture” where the patient acquires the gait of vulture and hence the disease is termed as Gridhrasi. In this case, classical gait refers to ‘slight lean’ towards the affected part of body. The clinical feature of Gridhrasi is, low back pain which radiates from the hip, to the posterior aspect of thigh, and down to leg. It can be correlated to “Sciatica” in modern medicine. Sciatica, is a painful condition, in which, pain starts in the lumbar area, and radiates along the course of the sciatic nerve. This article highlights a case study of Gridhrasi, treated with Ayurvedic principles in particular Shodhana Chikitsa; the therapy which expels out the morbid Doshas from the body. Shodhan chikitsa helps in eradicating the disease from its root level, that avoids its recurrence in future. Here, is a case study of 72 years old, male patient having signs and symptoms of Gridhrasi since 2 years. The patient was admitted and managed with Shodhana (purification) along with Shamana (pacification) Chikitsa. Basti was administered for a duration of 30 days. Ushna virya aushadis were used mainly for Agni Deepan, Aampachan and Srotoshodhan. The results with rationality have been depicted in this article.