A CASE STUDY OF NIRGUNDI PASTE UPANAHA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SEVER’S DISEASE

Abstract

Sever’s disease is one of the cause of posterior heel pain and it is considered a common pathological condition, especially in paediatric population between ages 8 and 15 years. This condition is characterized by heel pain and calcaneal inflammation in children who are physically active. The probable cause of the disease is overuse of the heel e.g., prolonged standing, jumping, running etc. To make a correct diagnosis, proper history taking, thorough physical examination, laboratory investigations and x-rays are needed. The positive heel squeeze test is positive in most of the cases. Treatment is usually conservative management and it includes complete physical rest, gentle active exercise, hot water fomentation, anti-inflammatory medicines, corticosteroids, etc. Sever’s disease can be correlated with Padakantaka(painful heel condition) in Ayurveda. The upanaha (poultice) with the paste of Nirgundi (Vitexnegundo) is beneficial in the management of this disease due to vata-alleviating and anti-inflammatory property of the Nirgundi.