A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF VIRECHANA AND RAKTHAMOKSHANA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCIATICA

Abstract

Sciatica refers to pain or tingling in the leg radiate down from the lower back region through outside or front of the leg. This condition can be correlated with Gridrasi, which is categorized among eighty types of vata vyadhis (Vata disorders) in Ayurveda and the name is indicating the patient’s abnormal posture and gait resembling a vulture. In Ayurveda management, it has recommended deepana (Agni stimulating), pachana (Increase Ama digestive power), vamana (Emesis), virechana (Purgative), agnikarma (Cauterization) and rakthamokshana (Bloodletting) for gridrasi. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the efficacy of Raktamokşana and Virechana on sciatica. Patients were selected from Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Teaching Hospital and they were randomly assigned into 2 groups A and B. Group A was treated with Śirāvedana (venipuncture) and Group B was treated with Virechana karma (Purgation treatment). No oral drugs were given. Evaluation was done with both subjective and objective criteria before and after treatment. The majority of patients were in the 30-39 age group (40%) and female (52.5%). Considering occupations, housewives, drivers, farmers, labors are more affected. The majority of patients were reported to be overweight (52.5%) and obese (27.5%). Raktamokşana (Bloodletting treatment) improved pain, SLRT, walking time, and stepping time which is highly significant (p<0.001) and the improvement of spasms, sthabdha (Stiffness) and tenderness is significant (p<0.05). Virechana improved spasms, tenderness, muscle power and SLRT which is highly significant (p<0.001) and improved pain, Femoral Stretch test, Walking Time and Stepping Time which is significant (p<0.05). Considering the results of the study overall effects, it was seen that Raktamokşana, Virechana are equally effective on improving subjective as well as objective parameters of Sciatica.