EFFICACY OF HIRUDO-THERAPY IN GRIDHRASI (SCIATICA): A REVIEW

Abstract

Gridhrasi is such a disease that carries little threat to life but huge interference in living. The person who suffers with the disease barely can walk on his feet properly. It is the most frequent radicular pain syndrome of spinal origin, due to the irritation of spinal nerve root associated with herniation at L4-L5 or L5 –S1. Acharya Caraka described Vasti, Siravyadha (Venipuncture) and Agni Karma as treatment plan in Gridhrasi. The management provided by the modern medicine in sciatica involves conservative medicines and lastly surgery but in Ayurveda Leech therapy has proved out to have miraculous effect in the suppression and elimination of Dushit Doshas. Hirudo (Leech) therapy comes under the Raktamokshana procedure, out of five purificatory procedures. It possess the quality to eliminate the vitiated Rakta (blood) from the body that results in treating the root cause of the sufferings. According to the Ayurveda, as swan can only take milk if its mixed with water likewise Leech only sucks impure blood from the skin and only the pure blood is left so, it is a blood purification therapy. Leech (Hirudo medicinalis) possesses hirudin, plays anti-inflammatory role in the management of the Gridhrasi (sciatica). The Leech Therapy seems to be an effective treatment for sinking pain resulting in improvement of physical function with no major adverse effects.