Abstract: Gridhrasi is one of the most common disorders of Vata, which closely resembles with sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain or discomfort associated with sciatic nerve. The prevalence of sciatica varies considerably ranging from 3.8% in the working population to 7.9% in the nonworking population. This case report discusses the effect of Trailokya Vijaya Vati in a case of Gridhrasi. The patient was 56-year-old female with pain in lower back radiating to bilateral lower limbs associated with swelling in bilateral lower limbs. She was treated with oral ayurvedic medicines and trailokya vijaya vati was added on for pain relief purposes. Patient expressed positive results to the treatment, as her pain has reduced considerably.
Introduction
Gridhrasi is one among 80 types of Nanatmaja Vata vyadhi i.e. it is one of diseases caused by vitiation of Vata (one of the principle dosha in the body, responsible for the movement and functionality of the body). Sometimes even Kapha vitiation along with Vata (vata kaphaj) also causes Gridhrasi. Gridhrasi literally means the change of gait shown by the patients due to extreme pain just like Gridhra (Vulture), this disease not only inflicts pain but also causes difficulty in walking.
The cardinal signs and symptoms are pricking pain (Toda), twitching or trembling sensation (Spandana) due to stretching of sciatic nerve and paresthesia (Supti). Other common symptoms of Gridhrasi are–pain that starts from Sphik (buttock) and then radiates to Kati, Prushta (back), Uru (thigh), Janu (knee), Jangha (calf) and Pada (foot) along with Stambha (stiffness), Toda (pricking pain), Spandana (twitching).
About 80–90% of people get affected by low back pain and 5% of those become victims of sciatica. Trauma on lumbosacral spine (Abhighata), postural defects (Vishamachesta), overloading (Bharavahana), abrupt unbalanced movements (Atichesta), continuous jerky movements, sedentary lifestyle as well as psychological factors (Chinta, Shoka, etc.,) are considered as causative factors of the disease.
Conventional medicine is completely dependent on analgesics or pain killers for managing this disease. Whereas Ayurveda has multidimensional approach for the ailment, but at times lack in providing instant pain relief. This case study is aimed at finding an ayurvedic pain relief medicine for Gridhrasi.
Case Report
Patient description
A 56 year old Indian female patient of Pittaj Prakriti with madhayam koshtha, pravar satva, madhayam satmaya presented with the complaint of pain in lower back radiating to bilateral lower limbs with swelling in bilateral legs since 5years.
Case history
Patient was initially taking painkillers to relieve her of the pain.
She has no other co-morbid conditions.
Physical examination results
Patient was thoroughly examined she had pitting type oedema near both ankle joints. Her SLR (Straight Leg Raising), Faber’s and Lasegue’s test were positive bilaterally.
Treatment plan
Medicine to be used – Trailokya Vijaya Vati
| Date | Treatment Given | Dose | Anupana | Time |
| 30.11.2020 – 6.12.2020 | 1. Mahayograj guggulu 2. Ajmodadi churna 3. Maharasnadi Kwath | 1 tab BD 5gm BD 40 mL BD | Luke warm water | After meals |
| 7.12.2020 – 13.12.2020 | Continue all 4. Trailokya Vijaya Vati | 1 tab BD |
Luke warm water |
After meals |
| 14.12.2020 – 20.12.2020 | Continue all 4. Trailokya Vijaya Vati | 1 tab BD |
Goghrita |
After meals |
| 21.12.2020 – 26.12.2020 | Continue all |
Trailokya Vijaya Vati was administered with goghrita to curtail the ushna virya of Vijaya which caused hyperacidity in this pittaj prakriti patient.
Expected outcome of the treatment plan
Relief in Pain
Actual outcome
Patient has considerable relief in symptoms especially pain after 3 weeks of treatment. Patient was satisfied with the results of the treatment, even though she developed mild acidity initially due to the ushna virya of the drug, which was easily managed by altering the anupana of the medicine.
Discussion
Sciatica is a crippling disease that causes pain in hip and to the whole path of sciatic nerve; it refers down along the back of the leg and sometimes to the foot. There is a sharp shooting pain along the leg which also causes deformity in one’s gait. In this clinical case we have given basic ayurvedic treatment for vata shaman along with trailokya vijaya vati which was exclusively used for pain management purpose.
Trailokya Vijaya Vati, the herbal formulation contains vijya and vanshlochan. Vijya (Cannabis sativus) is vata shamak, dipana, pachana and vyavayi, these properties help in quickly distributing the drug throughout the body for instant action. Vijya also has anti-inflammatory properties, these make the drug a potent analgesic.
Ajmodadi churn has deepana and pachana properties which helps in breaking down any of the toxins causing vitiation of vata, in turn resulting in reducing vata vitiation in the body. Mahayogaraj Guggulu is a herbo-mineral formulation which has various pharmaceutical benefits like its anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, anti-arthritic, anti-spasmodic and a digestive stimulant, these properties make it a useful drug in painful etiologies. Maharasnadi kwath here is used as a vehicle as it has neuroprotective properties and has an affinity towards musculoskeletal system, hence the medicines work efficiently in normalizing vata and relieving pain.
Mild acidity can be a side effect in higher doses of the medicine but can easily be treated by changing the vehicle of the drug to ghrita or various range of ayurvedic antacids can also be used for the same.
Conclusion
Trailokya Vijaya Vati has proven to be effective in the case of Gridhrasi (sciatica) for pain management with minimum side effect of mild acidity which was easily managed by changing the vehicle of administration.
Case Study by Dr. Madhav Batra (Dr. Batra’s Ayurveda)
Published by Hempstreet
