A Comparative Clinical Evaluation of Agnikarma and Raktamokshana in Management of Gridhrasi (Sciatica)”

Background: Gridhrasi can be correlated with sciatica which is a severe painful condition where back pain and radiating pain of the legs are found together on the basis of symptoms. In the treatment of sciatica only symptomatic management and a very few surgical procedures are available in conventional medical science with their own limits. Various methods used for Gridhrasi treatment in Ayurveda but para-surgical methods i.e. Agnikarma & Raktamokshana are more beneficial. Aim & objective: To compare the efficacy of Agnikarma and Raktamokshana (Cupping) in the management of Gridhrasi (Sciatica). Materials & Methods: Total 32 diagnosed cases of sciatica were registered, from which 29 patients completed the study. In group A, 4 sittings of Agnikarma were done in 16 patients with Panchadhatu Shalaka at lumbosacral region and achilles tendon region. In group B, 2 sittings of Raktamokshana was performed in 16 patients by using modified Shringa Yantra at lumbo-sacral region and four angula above Janu sandhi (Knee joint).. Result: The result was assessed by using wilcoxon signed rank test within the group and Mann whitney test between the group. Stastically significant relief was observed in both groups on cardinal symptoms of Gridhrasi. In Agnikarma group, 26.67% patients had got complete remission, 20% patients had marked improvement whereas 40% had moderate improvement in the symptoms of Gridhrasi. In group, Raktamokshana 50% had moderate improvement, 42.85% had marked improvement. Conclusion: Both para-surgical modalities have definite role in treating sciatica but Agnikarma has shown better result in comparison of Raktamokshana in the management of Gridhrasi (Sciatica).