A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF AETIOPATHOGENESIS OF SCIATICA OF IVDP ORIGIN-AN AYURVEDIC POINT OF VIEW

Dr. Nivil V. Joseph* and Dr. Poornima Jalawadi

ABSTRACT

Background: Sciatica, a distinct cause for morbidity, is a cause for low back pain in the young and middle aged and refers to radiculopathy, involving either one or both of the lower extremities. IVDP of lumbar region, especially L4-5, L5-S1 region are the most important etiology for sciatica. IVDP as such is not explained directly in Ayurveda classics, but Gridhrasi is described as a disease with similar clinical presentation as that of Sciatica. The Vyadhyavastha of Gridhrasi can be assumed by various symptomatologies and it will coincide with the inflammatory or degenerative pathogenesis of sciatica. Materials and methods: Various sources extending from classical Ayurveda samhitas, textbooks of contemporary medicine and e-sources were accessed to review the concepts of sciatica and Gridhrasi. Discussion: the Ayurvedic description of Gridhrasi matches the symptomatology of Sciatica such as pain starting in the Kati and descending to Nitamba, Uru, Janu, Jangha, Padam along with Stamba, Ruk and Toda. Sama avastha of gridhrasi may be attributed to inflammatory pathogenesis and pure vatika symptoms may be attributed to degenerative pathogenesis.

Keywords: IVDP, Sciatica, pathogenesis, etiology, Nidana Panchaka, Gridhrasi, Vyadhyavast.