A CLINICAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF VATAGAJANKUSHA RASA IN GRIDHRASI

Low backache is the fifth most common cause for all physician visits. The last few decades have shown that social and economical factors have great influence on the health. The present day life style and nature of work may be one of the causes for this malady. Gridhrasi is one such disease which is characterized by low backache with radiating pain up to the heel and causing the patient to walk like Gridhra, therefore been termed as Gridhrasi, which can be compared to that of Sciatica of contemporary Sciences1,2. Most of them neglect the preliminary stage of pain and refuse treatment but later, in advanced condition of the disease it becomes a must for them to seek medical advice. In allopathy, initially medications are advised and later patient may be suggested for surgical intervention. The cost is also not affordable by common man. So, a medicine, which relieves the pain, improves and restores functional ability, is the need for study. This is a Open label Comparative clinical study with pre-test and post-test design where in 40 patients suffering from Gridhrasi of either gender between the age group of 16 to 60 years were randomly selected and grouped into Group A and Group B. The patients in Group A were treated with Vatagajankusha Rasa 125mg bd with lukewarm water as Anupana Group B was given with Vatagajankusha Rasa 125mg bd with Manjistha kwatha 50 ml and Pippali choorna 3 gm bd as Anupana for 7 days. Results obtained were analyzed for the statistical significance by adapting paired and unpaired t test. The study revealed that Group B ie, Vatagajankusha Rasa with the Anupana of Manjistha kwatha and Pippali choorna was found to be more effective in bringing symptomatic relief and improving functional ability in the patients of Gridhrasi.