Abstract

ROLE OF PANCHAKARMA FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GRIDHRASI (SCIATICA)

Vibha Mohan*, Girish Narain Rai and Gaurishankar Yadav

ABSTRACT

Severe low back pain radiating to the toes of one or both of the lower limbs is one of the commonest problems in society today. It is an epidemic in most industrialized countries and it is estimated that most of the population will have some type of back related pain in their lifetime. Radiating back pain is the single commonest cause of time lost from work in many countries worldwide. Ayurveda acknowledges the gravity of the problem since ancient times and has mentioned it as Gridhrasi Roga which can be correlated on the basis of symptoms experienced, as sciatica. It is described as one among the Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi (diseases caused by vitiation of Vata Dosha only) where the vitiated Vata Dosha manifests as low back pain which radiates to the lower limbs, accompanied by stiffness and a pricking type of pain. In this article an attempt has been made to review the Ayurvedic classical texts and present the various treatment modalities available.

Keywords: Gridhrasi, Panchakarma, Sciatica.