A Comparative Clinical Study of Vajigandhadi Taila Basti and Agnikarma in the Management of Sciatica

Abstract

The study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Vajigandhadi Taila Basti & Agnikarma in the management of Sciatica.Vajigandhadi Taila contains Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) (Balya, Rasayan), Dashamoola Kwatha Vataghna) Bala (Sida Cordifolia) (Balya, Vatashama), Bilva (Aegle Marmelos) (Vatghna, Astringent) & Eranda Taila (Ricinus Communis) (Vatashamak, Anulomaka). Both these remedies proves extremely beneficial as it can be performed on the OPD & IPD basis, gives significant relief in the symptoms e.g. radiating pain, stiffness, twitching sensation. The subjective parameters like Pain, SLR, VAD, VDS etc., were used to score clinical outcome. The average clinical improvement was calculated by proper statistical treatment. Our experience with this modality has been encouraging as the response pattern is good in considerably short duration of treatment. The patient improves gradually after 4 weeks of treatment. The pain relief provided by Agnikarma & sustained improvement with Basti presents a window of opportunity in the clinical management of Sciatica. Ideally this technique should be practically taught to the physicians and should be evaluated scientifically using principles of biophysics and nerve conduction studies.