A Randomized Open Label Controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Ajmodadadi Vataka in the Management of Vishwachi w.s.r. to Cervical Spondylosis

Today we are living in 21st century, a century of workaholic generation, a generation which is mostly dependent on technology and spend the most time of their day in using gadgets, mobiles, working on computers, long hour of travelling and busy work schedules of corporate world. Due to this hectic, unoriented and fast life style people are not able to follow basic physical, dietary as well as mental healthy habits. These unhealthy habits increasing degenerative disease (Dhatukshaya) of spine especially of cervical region.

Vishwachi, which is one of the Vata Nanatmaja Vatavyadhi. It affects the neck and upper extremities leading to decreased efficacy with dysfunctioning of neck & extremities with signs and symptoms like Ruka, Toda, Stambha, Karmakshaya 1and Chestapaharana of Bahu2 as explained by different Acharya’. Dalhana also opines that the condition resembles Gridhrasi which affects the lower limb, and of two types, Vataja and Vata Kaphaja3

Vishwachi affects from Bahuprustha (the back aspect of the upper limb) to Talapratayangulinam because of Vata Dosha in all the Kandra (Tendon) of the Hasta (Arm) and Bahu (upper arm or shoulder), Bahu Chestha Apaharani (dysfunction of arm and shoulder). So radiating pain and restricted movement is main symptom of Vishwachi. It means the condition in which Vata dosha gets aggravated from the posterior part of fingers and anterior part of Prakoshtha and Kandara ,which reduces the motor neuron functions of the hand ,is called Vishwachi. It occurs due to variations in Ahara and Vihara like Vataprokopa Ahara and Vihara as Rukshahara,Ativyama,Vegadharana are the causative factors for Vishwachi.4-6

Vishwachi is similar to that of Cervical Spondylosis which is degenerative condition (Dhatukshaya) of the cervical spine. Further chronic stage of this condition which leads to cervical radiculopathy.

Shamana Ausadhi is mentioned in our classical text for the management of Vishwachi. In the present Ajmodadi Vataka which is mentioned in Bhavaprakash used as Shamana Ausadhi, is taken to assess its efficacy on Vishwachi w.s.r to Cervical Spondylosis and compared with the effect of Trayodasang Guggulu. Most people with spondylotic changes of the cervical spine on radiographic imaging remain asymptomatic, with 25% of individuals under the age of 40, 50% of individuals over the age of 40, and 85% of individuals over the age of 60 showing some evidence of degenerative changes. The most frequently affected levels are C6-C7, followed by C5-C6. Symptomatic cervical spondylosis most commonly presents as neck pain. In the general population, the point prevalence of neck pain ranges from 0.4% to 41.5%, the 1-year incidence ranges from 4.8% to 79.5%, and lifetime prevalence may be as high as 86.8%. According to the Global Burden of Disease 2015, low back and neck pain remain the leading cause of years lived with disability (YLD) and the fourth leading cause of disability-adjusted life.7-9