Patra Pinda Pottali Swedana in the Management of Gridhrasi

In Ayurveda, Gridhrasi word denotes an abnormal gait resembling vulture gait. It comes under the eighty Vataja Nanatmaja Vyaadhi. Gridhrasi describes a condition in which Stambha (stiffness), Ruk (pain), Toda (pricking pain), Spandana (tingling sensation) extends downwards from Sphika, Kati, Prustha (gluteal region, pelvic and lumbosacral region) towards Janu, Jangha and Paada (knees, legs and feet) respectively. In modern medicine, it can be correlated with sciatica. Sciatica is the lumbar spinal root pain that radiates from the lower back to hips, posterior part of legs, knees and feet. In this study, 42-year-old male patient complaints of acute severe lower backache radiating to left lower limb with restricted range of motion since last 15 days. The disease was diagnosed as Ghridhrasi (sciatica). As general treatment protocol of Vaat Vyaadhi, Snehana and Swedana can be used in Gridhrasi treatment. As mentioned in Samhita, Swedana has Sheeta, Shoola, Stambha, Gauravata Hara properties. Patra Pinda Pottali Swedana is a type of Sankara Sweda which comes under Saagni Swedana. The patient was treated with Patra Pinda Pottali Swedana for a period of 7 days. The treatment protocol had given significant relief. This case highlights the potential of Ayurvedic intervention in the management of Gridhrasi (sciatica).