A Study to Compare the Efficacy of Kati Basti with Different Oils (Prasarani Oil and Moorchita Tila Oil) in Sciatica (Gridrashi)

Sciatica is a painful ailment caused by the pathology of the sciatic nerve or the sciatic nerve root. Pain and paresthesia in the sciatic nerve distribution or a lumbosacral nerve root are common in patients with this condition. A herniated disc with nerve root compression is the most common cause of sciatica; however lumbar stenoses and (less frequently) tumors are also probable causes. In general, 5 to 10 percent of people with low back pain have sciatica, but the lifetime prevalence of low back pain is reported to range from 49% to 70%. Gridhrasi having the same symptomatology as sciatica described in ayurvedic classics under vata vyadhi, is a condition in which pain, stiffness, gripping, and pulsations begin in the buttocks [gluteal region] and progress to the posterior aspect of the Kati (pelvis and lumbosacral regions), Uru (thigh), Jaanu (behind the knee), Jangha (leg), and Pada (foot). Among different modalities of treatment described in Ayurveda, Kati Basti is the most popular and commonly practiced one. In the present study an effort has been made to treat 30 patients of Gridhrasi with Kati Basti with Prasarini Taila and Tila taila separately in two groups. The treatment was given 48 minute long daily for seven days. The assessment was done by analyzing the changes in clinical signs and symptoms before and after treatment. The majority of patients (93.33 percent) improved after treatment. In this study, kati basti with prasarini taila outperformed moorchita tila taila in terms of reducing Gridhrasi or sciatica signs and symptoms. The snehana property of oil and medications in Prasarini taila was helpful in the relief of gridhrasi, as well as the swedana impact of Kati Basti.