A CASE STUDY ON GHRIDHRASI WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SCIATICA

Dr. Snehal N. Dange* and Dr. Vijay Potdar

ABSTRACT

Gridhrasi is the one amongst the 80 types of Nanatmaja disorders of Vatavyadhi. Gridhrasi is a painful condition in which the person can not sit and walk properly that hampers his normal activity. Gridharsi is characterized by low back pain radiating to lower limbs, stiffness and pricking type of pain. It starts from kati- prishta (pelvic region and Lumbosacral) radiating to Jangha , Pada (Thigh, Feets) with impairment of lifting the leg. The gait of the person is very similar to vulture (Gridhra) hence the name is given as Gridharsi. Almost all signs and symptoms of Gridhrasi resemble with the condition of sciatica, as described by the modern texts. Sciatica is pain in the lower extremity resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain of sciatica is typically felt from the low back (lumbar area) to behind the thigh and can radiate down below the knee. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb. Sciatica is a relatively common condition with a lifetime incidence varying from 13% to 40%. Ayurvedic treatments for Gridhrasi concentrate on bringing back the aggravated Vata or Vata Kapha to the state of equilibrium and thereby to the state of health.

Keywords: Gridhrasi, Sciatica, Panchatikta Kshira Basti, Majja Ghrita Basti.