Ayurvedic management of disuse muscular Atrophy due to Gridhrasi W.S.R. to sciatica: A case report

The word Gridhrasi is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Gridhra’ which means the name of bird i.e. Vulture. Gridhrasi is a Vataj Nanatmaja Vikara. Ruk (pain), Toda (pricking feeling), Muhuspandana (tingling sensation), and Stambha (stiffness) in the Sphik, Kati, Uru, Janu, Jangha, and Pada are the four primary symptoms of Gridhrasi. In modern medicine, this condition can be correlated with Sciatica, Sciatica is a common clinical condition resulting from lumbar nerve root compression and may lead to chronic pain/radiating pain, restricted mobility, and secondary muscular disuse. Prolonged radicular pain often causes avoidance of limb usage, which may progress to disuse atrophy of the affected muscles. In this case a 47- year old female patient with chronic low back pain radiating to the left lower limb, associated with difficulty in walking as well as sitting position and visible reduction in thigh muscle bulk reported for treatment. Radiological evaluation of the lumbar spine revealed reduced intervertebral disc space at the L4–L5 level with mild alteration of lumbar lordosis, suggestive of degenerative disc disease. The patient was treated with Integrative Ayurvedic interventions incluiding Sarvanga Abhayanga, Shastik Shali Pind Swedana and Mustadi Rajyapan basti. Post treatment assessment showed significant reduction in pain, improvement in gait and functional mobility and gradual improvement in thigh circumference. The patient also reported enhanced quality of life.