Role of <i>Shaman Chikitsa</i> and <i>Basti</i> (Medicated Enema) in the Management of <i>Gridhrasi</i> (Sciatica): A Case Report

Low back pain, especially sciatica, severely impacts mobility, with 40% of severe cases experiencing radiating pain. This condition, worsened by lifestyle factors like poor posture, stress and prolonged sitting hours, mirrors the Ayurvedic condition Gridhrasi. Recognised as one of the eighty Nanatmaja Vyadhis (Vata-related diseases), Gridhrasi presents similar symptoms, including radiating pain from the lower back. The Ayurvedic treatments for managing Vatavyadhi disorders are particularly Basti Chikitsa-which is the treatment through a medicated enema. This offers a great deal of relief for chronic pain. Gridhrasi is a common term or word for sciatica. This painful condition affects the lumbar region and is connected to impaired movement and severe discomfort radiating down the legs. The condition is based on lifestyle and mechanical stress on the spine. It is conventionally treated in Ayurveda by therapies aimed at reversing the causative imbalance of Vata Dosha. This article presents the outcomes of therapeutic interventions with Shaman (palliative) and Shodhan (purification) therapies, with a focus on Basti Karma (enema therapy) based on prescriptions offered in Ayurvedic practice. Patients suffering from Gridhrasi were treated with both Basti and oral medications for a fixed duration of treatment. The patients showed improvement in locomotion, decreased radiating pain and symptomatic improvement in the form of stiffness and redness of the knee. Specific investigations like straight-leg-raising tests and muscle strength grading were absolutely within normal limits after the treatment. Ayurvedic management is equally impressive, particularly Basti treatment in Gridhrasi. These treatments focus on the intrinsic reasons for the Vata imbalance and can provide an integrated management for sciatica. The study underlines the possibility of incorporating Ayurvedic principles with traditional management practices for chronic pain. Basti treatment with Shaman and Shodhan approaches is a promising option for the management of Gridhrasi. This study outlines a future need for more research into Ayurvedic interventions for chronic musculoskeletal conditions, such as sciatica, providing a basis for an integrated approach to pain management. Major Finding: Basti treatment significantly improved mobility and reduced radiating pain in Gridhrasi.