Abstract

THE CLINICAL STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF VIDDHAGNI KARMA IN THE PAIN MANAGEMENT OF CALCANEAL SPUR

Dr. Pradnya P. Sabade and Dr. Jaee Sunil Parvatkar*

Abstract

The modern lifestyle demands being active on our feet for long hours causing pain in the heels of the feet. The predominant cause of foot pain is Calcaneal spur which according to Ayurveda is due to Asthisnayugata dushti by vitiated Vata dosha. Calcaneal spur is an osteophyte growth on the calcaneus (the heel bone), caused due to deposition of calcium on its underside over a long duration and triggered by repeated strain on the foot causing stretching of the plantar fascia and tearing of the membrane over heel. The modern treatment for this is NSAID’s, steroidal injections, exercise or long duration of analgesics wherein finally excision of spur is advised. The conservative treatment as well as surgery has complications like incomplete pain relief or nerve damage. In the holistic science of Ayurveda, Aushadh- Shastra-Kshar-Agnikarma is protocol to treat ailments and Agnikarma is glorified as the treatment when the former three fail. In Calcaneal spur, Agnikarma not just mitigates pain but also underlying inflammation. Viddha karma is one of the eight Shashtrakarma mentioned by Acharya Sushruta and consists of a sterile procedure wherein hollow needles are pierced at specific points on the body to provide pain relief by releasing endorphins. The combination of Agni and Viddha karma administered to 15 patients for 5 sittings, a 7 day interval between each, over the duration of 35 days and follow up of 2 months for recurrence. Visual Analog Scale was used to get subjective assessment of pain relief after each sitting and upto 70 percent pain relief was recorded concluding significant pain relief in calcaneal spur by Vidhagni karma cementing it as an effective Ayurveda treatment modality without any side effects.

Keywords: Calcaneal spur, Asthisnayugata Vata dushti, Vatakantaka, Viddha-agni karma, VAS scale.