MANAGEMENT OF GRIDHRASI THROUGH PANCHAKARMA AND PHYSIOTHERAPY- A CASE STUDY

Dr. Naitik Gopiani*, Dr. Suma K. J., Dr. Shreya Kariya

According to Ayurvedic text, Gridhrasi is a Vataja Nanatmaja Vikara. Gridhrasi shoola starts from Sphik and runs towards Kati, Prushtha, Janu, Jangha and Pada respectively. Along with pain it may be associated with stiffness, heaviness according to predominance of Dosha involved. Features of Gridhrasi resembles closely to Sciatica in Modern Science. Sciatica is a term used to describe Neurological pain along with numbness, tingling sensation, weakness in one or both legs starting from Lower back caused by irritation and/or compression of Sciatic nerve root. Here is a case of 38-year-old female patient diagnosed with Gridhrasi whose symptoms started appearing since 2019. She came here in March 2024 with complain of radiating pain from lower back to right leg, right leg numbness – tingling sensation, morning stiffness, difficulty in walking. Before one month of coming here, she was on complete bed rest. Her MRI report shows dorsocentral and right paracentral bulge of L3-L4 disc, focal canal stenosis and diffuse disc bulge at L4-L5, L5-S1 disc along with compressions and anthropathy. She was treated with Kati Basti, Andapinda Swedana, Sarvanga Abhyanga with Bashpa Swedana, Tikta Ksheera Basti and Physiotherapy for 21 days along with oral ayurvedic medicine. After treatment of 21 days patient showed remarkable improvement in symptoms along with Oswestry Low Back Disability Score from 34 to 5 and VAS scale from 7 to 2 also. She was able to walk properly and to do other regular activities. Contemporary medicine has very short term pain relievers and have very limited scope of treatment for Sciatica including NSAIDs. Ayurvedic Panchkarma therapies along with oral medicine has given significant relief from signs and symptoms of Ghridhrasi along with cost effectiveness.