An open label randomized comparative clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Sahacharadi Kashaya and Meshashrungyadi Kashaya with Siravyadha in the management of Gridhrasi vis-a-vis Sciatica

Gridhrasi is one among the Vataja Nanatmaja Vikaras which is most commonly encountered in the day-to-day clinical practice. Back pain has been a very common symptom which interferes with the functional ability of the lower back and lower limbs. It may be unilateral or bilateral, particularly seen in most of the people in their active period of life causing difficulty in performing their routine activities. It is mainly of two types Vataja and Vatakaphaja, having Vataja  Lakshanas like Ruk, Toda, Sthamba, Spandana in Sphik, Kati, Uru, Janu, Jangha, Paada and Kaphaja Lakshanas like Tandra, Gourava, Arochaka.

In contemporary medicine, 90% of the patients having Sciatica recover with conservative line of treatment with analgesia as it is concerned about the pain management and early mobilization. Long term usage of analgesics and NSAID’s may lead to systemic complications and Surgical intervention would not give permanent relief. Hence and effort is made to find out and alternative treatment in Ayurveda to benefit the patient having Gridhrasi. Siravyadha has been mentioned as the first line of treatment in the Chikitsa Sutra of Gridhrasi in Charaka Chikitsa Sthana and Sushrutha opines that the diseases which are not cured by Sneha, Lepa etc., are instantaneously cured by Siravyadha. Meshashrungyadi Kashaya and Sahacharadi Kashaya are mentioned in Vangasena Samhita Vatavyadhi Adhyaya and Ashtanga Hridaya Vatavyadhi Chikitsa Adhyaya respectively bearing Phalashruthi which has Rujahara Karma. Hence the intended study is to compare and evaluate the efficacy of two different Kashayas with Siravyadha in two groups in the management of Gridhrasi.