MANAGEMENT OF GRIDHRASI IN AYURVEDA- A CASE REPORT

Background: Large number of populations suffers from chronic low back pain. The incidence is more common in elderly age groups and in women but in present days, rising incidences of low back pain in younger generation is concerning. In Ayurveda, the symptoms of chronic low back pain associated with radiating pain to lower limbs can be related to a disease called Gridhrasi. Gridhrasi is one of the Vatavyadhi characterized by pain in the kati, prishtha, uru, janu, jangha and pada. It is opined that, in Gridhrasi, the patient’s gait becomes altered due to pain resembling the walk of the vulture, hence the name Gridhrasi. Based on the above references of symptomatology in ayurvedic literature, Gridhrasi can be correlated to Sciatica. Sciatica is a condition characterized by radicular pain from the low back radiating downward along the course of the sciatic nerve. This condition not only hampers the daily functioning but also reduces the quality of life in a patient. Objective: A 34-year-old male patient with the diagnosis of sciatica reported to OPD with complaints of pain and stiffness in the lower back since 6 months associated with radiating pain in B/L lower limbs up to thighs. The patient also had complaints of frequent bloating of the abdomen for a year. The patient was treated with Ayurvedic therapeutic interventions such as Kati basti, Sthanika abhyanga & Sweda, Matra Basti and Marma massage along with Vata Kaphahara & Vatahara Shamana aushadhi were prescribed. Results: After 1 week of treatment, there was marked relief in the symptoms in the form of reduced pain and stiffness. The above treatment protocol has shown significant results clinically in the present study.