An Observational study to evaluate the effect of Vaitarana Basti in the management of Vatakaphaja Gridhrasi vis-à-vis Sciatica

Abstract

Sciatica refers to the low back pain radiating to lower limb in a dermatomal distribution. Sciatica is a common cause of pain and disability; it is more persistent and severe than low back pain. Sciatica prevalence from different studies ranged from 1.2% to 43%. Physical activity at work and occupational workload, such as lifting, work related twisting of the trunk, occupational exposure to whole body vibration for example machine operators, motor vehicle drivers have also been suggested to be risk factors for Sciatica. Obesity has previously been linked to Sciatica. All these factors create pressure on spinal cord producing low back ache and radiating pain. Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica shows close resemblance with Gridhrasi. In Ayurveda, Acharya Vangasena has mentioned Vaitarana Basti in the management of Gridhrasi. Vaitarana Basti adopted here in this study has a direct reference for Gridhrasi in Vangasena samhita and Acharya Chakradutta while mentioning Vaitarana Basti has indicated it in Shula, Vatakaphaja vikaras. Considering the ingredients, it is a Shodhana, Teekshna type of Basti which is beneficial in Vatakaphaja Gridhrasi. A minimum of 20 subjects who fulfilled the diagnostic and inclusion criteria were subjected to the intervention. The overall results in the study revealed statistically highly significant result.