An open label randomized study to compare the efficacy of Shampakadi Asthapana Basti and Patrapinda Sweda with Erandamooladi Niruha Basti and Patrapinda Sweda In the management of Gridhrasi visa-A-vis Sciatica.

Gridhrasi is one among the Vata Vyadhi described in Ayurveda, in which Shoola and Chestahani are the main symptoms,which makes a person to compromise his/her physical, psychological, and social efficiencies. Gridhrasi is also one among Vataja Nanatamja Vyadhi mentioned by Acharya Charaka. In Gridhrasi, there is a intense shooting type of pain radiating in sequential order from Sphik, (gluteal region ), Prustha Bhaga of Kati (lumbo-sacral region), Uru, Janu, Jangha ,and Pada with Ruk ,Toda and Sthamba.

Today’s lifestyle and nature of work have a pattern of increasing tension on health, because of activities like over exertion, sedentary occupation, heavy weight lifting, jerky movements during travelling, use of high heeled footwares, long standing, there is increase in disorders related to the locomotor system like Gridhrasi which has affected the day to day activities of people there by creating disturbances in their personal, professional and social life .

Vatavyadhi is one among Mahagada explained in Ayurveda, prognosis is poor in Vatavyadhi because of development of complications and Gridhrasi is one among them .

Gridhrasi can be co-related with Sciatica in contemporary science because of similarity in presenting complaints. Sciatica is defined as pain in the Sciatic nerve or its component nerve roots. 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. Sciatica 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.The prevalence of Sciatica varies considerably ranging from 1.6% in the general population to 43% in the working population.

In contemporary medical science, treatment of Sciatica includes analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections and physiotherapy.

Ayurveda classics explain the treatment for Vatavyadhi in detail, in which Snehana, Swedana & Mridushodhanaare the prime line of treatment for vitiated *Vata dosha.*One of the prime line of treatment of Gridhrasi is Bastikarma. Basti is considered as Ardha Chikitsa by Charaka and Vagbhata because of its high efficiency in treating all the diseases, it holds a special place in the treatment of Vatavyadhi ,also Basti is the line of treatment for Vata dosha. The proper execution of these treatment principles will help in relieving the symptoms of the Gridhrasi.

Considering the above factors, an attempt has been made to clinically evaluate the combined efficacy of Shampakadi Asthapana Basti and Patrapinda Sweda with Erandamooladi Niruha Basti and Patrapinda Sweda in the management of Gridhrasi .