Effect of Tila taila Agnikarma in Gridhrasi with special reference to Sciatica – A Review Article

Gridhrasi is one among the 80 types of vataja nanatmaja vyadhis1. According to Charaka, the condition is of 2 types – Vataja2 and Vata Kaphaja. Sthamba, ruk, toda and spandana of sphik, prishta, kati, prushta, uru, janu and jangha are lakshnas due to vata dosha and tandra, gourava and arochaka are lakshanas of vata kaphaja type. Acharya Vagbhata explained gridhrasi resulting in sakthi utkshepana nigraha3, causing difficulty in walking resembling walk similar to that of gridhra. This can be clinically correlated with a neuromuscular disorder called Sciatica. The symptoms include pain, tingling sensation and parasthesia of one or both legs, which originate from low back region and then radiating downwards till toe. Acharya Susruta, enumerated agnikarma in snayugata4 disorders and this treatment modality has been adopted here.