ROLE OF PATRA PINDA SWEDA AND YAMAKAYUKTA KATI BASTI IN VATAJA GRIDRASI - A CASE STUDY

Introduction: In today's fast-paced world, unhealthy lifestyle choices have led to a rise in diseases. Metabolic disorders such as Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, Dyslipidaemia, and Obesity are increasingly common, while issues affecting movement and motor function, often linked to poor posture and physical activity, are also on the rise. In Ayurveda, these movement-related diseases fall under the category of Vata vyadhi, which includes conditions like Gridhrasi. Gridrasi is characterised by a shooting pain starting in the Sphik poorva kati, radiating through Prushta, Uru, Jaanu, Jangha, and Paada. When associated with Kapha Dosha, it is related to other symptoms such as Tandra, Aruchi, and Gourava. This condition can be found homologous with ‘Sciatica’ of contemporary science, which involves compressive pathology leading to pressure over the root of the sciatic nerve, characterised by a varied range of symptoms such as pain radiating down the affected leg starting in the lower back, weakness or numbness of the affected limb. The annual incidence of Sciatica is around 5%. Materials and Methods: In the case of Vataja Gridrasi, a female patient aged 36 years, who was a tailor by occupation, presented with pain in the lower back, which radiated to both lower limbs, associated with a tingling sensation for 6-7 years. Here, an approach towards management of the condition was made through bahirparimarjana chikitsa such as Abhayanga, Patra pinda sweda, Kati basti with yamaka prayoga, after which the patient had significant improvement in the symptoms and was able to carry out daily activities without pain. Conclusion: Gridrasi is a Daruna vata vyadhi. Pain management becomes the first priority in such cases because it is a painful condition hampering the patient's day-to-day activities. Bahya upakrama through Snehana and Swedana can effectively resolve pain, which can be followed by Bastyadi Shodhana karma. With a similar view of initial pain management, Patra pinda Sweda and Kati basti with Yamaka prayoga were employed in this case of Vataja Gridrasi and noteworthy improvements were observed.