Clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Arka patra sweda in the management of Kati Graha

Svedana is one of theShadvidha Upakramand is indicated in the management of variousVatavyadhi’s  and as well as  for Vata-Kaphaja disorders .Svedana Karma canbe performed by various methods. Arkapatra Svedana is one among the modalitiesof Svedana and  practiced  by traditional Ayurveda doctors

In Katigraha the Vedana, Stambha andCheshtastambha are present in Kati Pradesha may be caused by Kevala Vata orSaama Vata. The symptoms of Saama Vata is Vedana, Toda, Stambha.

Svedana Karma plays a major role inalleviating the pain and stiffness of joints. Svedana relieves stiffness,heaviness and coldness of the body and it induce the body sweat. Svedana is ofthree types viz. Rooksha, Snigdha and Snigdha Ruksha Sveda Rooksha Svedas aregenerally opted in the treatment of disorders caused by Vata and kapha Doshas.

In Katigraha the Shoolaand restricted movements are present in whole of Kati Pradesha, i.e. in betweenUraha and Nitamba (lumbo sacral region). In other hand Low back pain is achronic condition characterized by a persistent dull or sharp pain per thelower back. It may be also associated with burning, stiffness, numbness ortingling with the pain. The most important symptoms of non-specific low backpain are pain and disability.

Arka*(Calatripis procera)patra latex possess Tikta Rasa majorly and little amount of Lavana Rasa, Singhdha and Laghu guna, Ushna Veerya­­­­and leaves are Laghu Ruksha and Tikshna in Guna and having Vatahara, Vishaghana,Rechana and Dipana  properties. Saindhavais aleviator of all three dosas and does not cause burning sensation. Gheealleviates Vata, Pitta, toxic conditions ,cold in potency and best of all theunctuous substances.  By virtue of allabove properties of Arka Patra , Arka Ksheera ,Saindhava and Ghee*Arka Patra  sveda mayreduce the pain in affected area.

Inthis study 15 to 18 number of fresh Arka Patras are well cleaned and are keptside by side without leaving gap on Kora cloth of 25 inches length x 5 inchesbreadth and then cloth and leaves are rolled together and tied from the basewith tag of 16 inches length.  Inthe morning, Patients will be given 6 grams of Shunthi choorna along with lukewarm water in empty stomach Prepared Arka Patra bundle is cut from the base andis  heated on a hot pan with ghee andSaindhava Lavana . Hot  leaves are thentapped on Kati Pradesha. Once the temperature of  the leaves is lost, again  they are cut, heated and tapped.  This procedure is to be repeated till theSamyak Svedana  Lakshanas are seen orupto 20 minutes. After completion of treatment, patient will be asked to take hotwater bath.

The numerical data will be assessed withStudent paired t-test. Ordinal data will be assessed with Friedmen’s testfollowed by Post Hoc Analysis with Wilcoxon signed rank test with Bonferronicorrection applied. Changes observed (p<0.05) will be considered assignificant.