A Controlled Clinical Study On The Therapeutic Efficacy Of Katibasti With Agnitaila In Gridhrasi (Sciatica)

Low Back Pain with sciatica is one of the most significant health problems in current-day practice. It also contributes to social life as well as economic crises in the form of deterioration in work productivity. Low back pain is the prime factor for disability & ranks 6th for the overall burden on the world population. The lifetime incidence of sciatica is reported to be between 10% to 40% and an annual incidence of 1% to 5%. The majority of incidence occurs in the 4th – 5th decade of the working population.Gridhrasi is one among the Shoola pradhana vataja nanatmaja vyadhi & it can be correlated to the disease Sciatica in contemporary science which can manifest as either Vataja type or Vatakaphaja  type. The common symptom seen as Kramatah shoola from Sphik, Kati, Prista, Uru, Janu, Jangha & Pada associated with Stambha, Toda, Muhur spandana & Sakthikshepa nigraha in Vataja type whereas in Kaphanubandhi type it is associated with Tandra, Gourava & Aruchi .Sciatica is a debilitating condition that occurs most often due to herniation of a disc or an overgrowth of bone that puts pressure on part of the nerve which leads to low back pain that begins with the lumbosacral region and radiates along with the posterio-lateral aspects of the thigh to leg with difficulty in walking & paresthesia that travels along the path of the sciatica nerve. The management of sciatica includes analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections & physiotherapy . Prolonged usage of these may lead to many adverse effects.Ayurveda classics explain the treatment for Vatavyadhi in detail in which Snehana, Swedana & Mridu shodhan  are the prime line of treatment for vitiated Vatadosha. The Chikitsa sutra mentioned for Gridhrasi as Bastikarma, Siravyadha, Agnikarma & Virechana karma are considered as Vishesha chikitsa .The proper execution of these treatment principles will help in relieving the symptoms of the Gridhrasi.Katibasti is a form of Snehayukta sweda and also Samshamaneeya bahirparimarjan chikitsa. The combination of Snehana & Swedana in Katibasti works together in relieving the Shoola, Stambha, etc. so that one can achieve symptomatic relief by increasing in functional ability of the affected region .Agnitaila is a proprietary medicine and consists of ingredients like Tila, Punnaga, Nirgundi, Lavanga, Maricha, Lashuna & Sarshapa being Ushnaveerya dravya are having the Vatahara, Shoolahara, Stambhahara and also Kaphahara in action.Nirgundi taila  consists of ingredients like Nirgundi, Langali & Tila being Ushnaveerya dravya having the Vatahara, Shoolahara, Stambhahara and also Kaphahara in action.The Snehayukta sweda in the form of Katibasti may give significant relief in the treatment of Vatavyadhi. Hence an attempt is made to see the therapeutic efficacy of Katibasti with Agnitaila has been taken for the study.