ABSTRACT

Vatavyadhi is one of the most prevailing health problems in our day to day clinical practice. Ancient Acharya stated 80 Nanatmaja Vyadhi of Vata and Gridhrasi is one among them. It is characterized by burning, stinging or numbing pain that is felt in the buttock, thigh, leg and or foot. Nidana of Gridhrasi in Ancient Ayurvedic Samhita is due to systemic vitiation of Vata Dosha as well as local site involvement.

There is no specific curative remedy in modern medical science except pain killers. In the chikitsa sutra of Gridhrasi Acharya Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhatta, Yogratnakara and Bhela have mentioned Siravyadha. Lightness in the painful areas and in body, reduction of pain, decrease in the intensity of vyadhi and cheerfulness of mind are symptoms of proper Siravedha. Mainly Siravyadha is done in an acute condition of diseases having pain as prominent feature.

Acharaya Sushuruta has considered Siravyadha as half of all the therapeutic measures in Shalyatantra like Basti Karma in Kaya-chikitsa. The surgical procedure of puncturing the vein for therapeutic purpose and there by accomplishing the Raktamokshana is referred by the name Siravyadha. Siravyadha was done at antara kandara gulpha till samyak stravit lakshanas are observed. So a study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Siravyadha in management of pain in Gridharasi.

KEYWORDS: Siravyadha, Gridhrasi, Raktamokshana, Sciatica, Pain