An ayurvedic management of gridhrasi (sciatica): a case study

Gridhrasi is one of the eighty Nanatmaja Vata Vyadhies described by Acharya Charaka. Clinically, it is distin-guished by acute hip or lower back pain that extends from the buttock to the back of one thigh and leg. One of the most prevalent issues in society today is severe low back pain that radiates to the toes of either one or both lower limbs. The sciatica nerve (L4, L5, S1, S2, S3), a sizable nerve stretching from the lower back and down the back of each leg, causes discomfort along its length. The diseased person moves like a vulture when they walk. Acharya Charaka, Bruhad Nighantu Ratnakar, and Bharat Bhaishajya Ratnakar explain the Gridhrasihar taila for managing Gridhrasi. Two forms of Gridhrasi, Vataja and Vata-Kaphaja, have been mentioned in classical Ayurvedic literature. Ac-cording to Ayurveda, Gridhrasi is one of the illnesses brought on by the vitiation of Vata, which is one of the fundamentals doshas in the body and is in charge of its movement and functionality. Gridhrasi can occasionally be brought on by both Vata and Kapha vitiation (Vata Kaphaja). Only conservative treatments provide tempo-rary pain relief or surgical interventions that have negative effects. The recurrence of sciatica pain after surgery is widespread. Ayurveda management provides no recurrenceable cure for Gridhrasi. In this case study, a 46-year-old female patient suffering from Gridhrasi was treated with Ayurvedic Chikitsa for 45 days in Kayachikitsa IPD and OPD of the Post Graduate Institute of Ayurveda, Jodhpur. Treatment is given: Vishwadi Guggulu 2 tablets (each 500mg) given twice daily with lukewarm water and Kati Basti with Gridhrasihar tail for 15 days.