A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY ON PATRA PINDA SWEDA AND TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION ON GRIDHRASI WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SCIATICA

Gridhrasi is a Vata Nanatmaja Vyadhi characterized by Ruk (pain), Toda (pricking pain), Stambha (stiffness) and Spandana (frequents twitching). These symptoms initially affect Sphik (buttock) as well as the posterior aspect of Kati (waist) and then gradually radiates to posterior aspects of Uru (thigh), Janu (knee), Jangha (calf) and Pada (foot). It is dominated by pain that affects the Kandara due to morbid Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha can also be involved in the clinical presentation. Snehana and Swedana are considered as the general line of treatment for Vatavikaras which can be taken as a line of treatment for Gridhrasi. Patra Pinda Sweda being one among Sankara Sweda is Sagni and Snigdha Ruksha type of Sweda. In this medicinal leaves having Vata-Kaphahara, Shothahara and Vedanasthapaka properties are fried in Sahachara Taila and tied into Pottali. Thus, by virtue of its Guna pos- sess the best Snehana and Swedana effect and acts in respective Avasta of the disease Gridhrasi. There are a number of treatments plans available for sciatica. However transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a simple, non-invasive analgesic technique that is used extensively in health care settings by physiotherapists for sciatica. The use of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is originally based on the gate control theory of pain and TENS could also raise endorphin levels in the spinal fluid. Methodology: A comparative clinical study was done on forty subjects of both sexes, between the age group of 20-60 years who were randomly assigned into two groups, namely group A where Patra Pinda Sweda was administered to the subjects and group B wheretranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was applied to the subjects. After completion of the study, results were assessed using the student 't’ test by comparing the data collected during the study. Result: Comparatively group A proved to be more effective than group B. Group A overall result is 66.73% and Group B overall result is 47.07%.Keywords: Gridhrasi, Physiotherapy, Sahacahara Taila, Snehana, Swedana