Efficacy of FasÌ£d (venesection) in the management of ‘IrqunnasÄ (Sciatica) - A Randomized Controlled Study

Sciatica refers to pain or discomfort associated with sciatic nerve. Injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause the characteristic pain of sciatica: a sharp or burning pain that radiates from the lower back or hip, possibly following the path of the sciatic nerve to the foot. It is one of the commonest neuralgic pain creating difficulty and problems in activities of daily living. The overall incidence of this condition is approximately between 13- 40 % and the malady has the potential to become chronic and intractable with major socioeconomic implication.Sciatica is usually treated by the conventional therapies either pharmacologically or surgically or sometimes, both. these therapies are associated with certain side effects and complications; therefore, search for a safe and effective regimen is the need of the hour. There is a disease in Unani system of medicine known as **‘**IrqunnasÄ its signs and symptoms mimick almost completely with sciatica. Hence, any approach for treating **‘**IrqunnasÄ will also be beneficial for sciatica. For **‘**IrqunnasÄ there are a no. of different kinds of regimens given  which are more effective with less adverse effects and at the same time cost effective like HÌ£ijÄma (Cupping), IrsÄl-i-‘Alaq (Leech therapy), Dalk (massage), Ä€bzan (Sitz Bath) and  FasÌ£d (Venesection). Almost all great Unani physicians advocated FasÌ£d in the treatment of **‘**IrqunnasÄ . Therefore, it is high time to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FasÌ£d in the  management  of **‘**IrqunnasÄ.