A Literature Review of Management of Vatakantaka (Plantar Fascitis) with Agnikarma (Mrittika Shalaka)

In the world of modernization, due to rapidly changing lifestyles, most people now lead frenetic, active lives that involve constant standing and walking, significantly contributing to society's general health. Vatakantaka is a painful condition of pain in the heel due to vitiated Vatadosha can be correlated with plantar fasciitis which is mentioned in the context of Vatavyadhi by many Acharya. Conservative therapy is available in the form of NSAIDs, steroids, or steroidal injections at a local site, all of these methods give short-term relief and are linked with well-documented negative effects. In Ayurvedic view, pain in Vatakantaka is due to Snayu, Sandhi, and Asthigata Vata. Agnikarma is an ancient treatment procedure done by using heat in various painful musculoskeletal diseases and with different instruments (Dahanupkrama) which are mentioned in Samhitas. Agnikarma is believed to be the most superior among all the surgical procedures in Ayurveda because the diseases treated with Agnikarma are apunarbhav (does not recur). AIMS AND OBJECTIVES - To explain the role of Agnikarma through Mrittika Shalaka enumerated in ancient Ayurvedic texts which will benefit the management of Vatakantaka. MATERIALS AND METHOD - As the study is a review study, the available literature Samhitas and other books are searched for the disease and analyzed to get a comprehensive concept of the management of Vatakantaka. CONCLUSION - Agnikarma through Mrittika Shalaka effectively curing Vatakantaka (Plantar Fascitis).