Jalaukavacharana vs. wet cupping for sciatic nerve compression: study
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Jalaukavacharana and wet cupping in management of sciatic nerve compression- a comparative clinical study
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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*Nuwansiri LSB
Demonstrator, Department of Cikitsa, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, Yakkala
Abeysooriya SR
Temporary Lecturer, Department of Dravyaguna, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, Yakkala
Wickramarachchi WJ
Senior Lecturer, Department of Cikitsa, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, Yakkala
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Jalaukavacharana and wet cupping in management of sciatic nerve compression- a comparative clinical study
Year: 2017
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Sciatica, characterized by pain along the pathway of the sciatic nerve, often results from various medical conditions, with herniated intervertebral discs cited as the main culprit in approximately 90% of cases. Other factors affecting the lumbosacral nerve roots can also induce similar symptoms. Within Ayurveda, this condition is referred to as "Gudrasi" and is treated under specific therapeutic techniques aimed at addressing disorders classified as "Vatavyadi." Among these techniques, Jalaukavacharana (bloodletting using leeches) and wet cupping stand out as significant methods for pain relief and management of sciatica.
Jalaukavacharana in Sciatica Management
Jalaukavacharana is recognized within Ayurvedic practices as a method for "Rakthamookshana," or bloodletting. This therapy involves applying leeches on affected areas, where they draw blood, potentially alleviating the symptoms associated with compression of the sciatic nerve. The study conducted divided patients into two groups, one receiving Jalaukavacharana and the other undergoing wet cupping, allowing for comparative analysis of their efficacy. The results indicated some degree of relief from symptoms through both methods, yet specific scores on the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index revealed that while Jalaukavacharana had positive outcomes, it was not as effective as wet cupping.
Efficacy of Wet Cupping
Wet cupping therapy has emerged as a traditional practice across various cultures, including in Ayurveda. This method involves the creation of a vacuum on the skin followed by minor incisions to facilitate the removal of a small amount of blood. The study demonstrated that patients who received wet cupping exhibited significantly better outcomes on both the Sciatica Bothersomeness Index and the Sciatica Frequency Index. As evidenced by the data, the wet cupping group not only reported acute relief but also sustained improvement over time. This highlights its potential as a more effective treatment for sciatic nerve compression compared to Jalaukavacharana.
Conclusion
In summary, while both Jalaukavacharana and wet cupping show promise in the management of sciatic nerve compression, wet cupping was found to be significantly more effective in providing pain relief. The comparative clinical study underscored the advantages of wet cupping therapy, making a strong case for its broader application in treating sciatica. This study contributes to the understanding of traditional therapeutic practices, encouraging further research and potential integration into modern medical approaches for managing nerve-related pain.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the focus of the clinical study discussed?
The clinical study compares the effectiveness of Jalaukavacharana and wet cupping in managing sciatic nerve compression, specifically evaluating symptom relief in patients with sciatica.
What were the main findings of the study regarding treatment effectiveness?
The study found that wet cupping provided significantly better relief from pain compared to Jalaukavacharana, as evidenced by lower Sciatica Bothersomeness Index (SBI) and Sciatica Frequency Index (SFI) scores in the wet cupping group.
What criteria were used to select participants for the study?
Participants included men and women aged 20-70 with sciatica symptoms. Exclusion criteria involved bleeding disorders and systemic disorders, as well as the necessity for radiological confirmation of diagnosis.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Jalaukavacharana vs. wet cupping for sciatic nerve compression: study”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Pain:
Pain is a significant factor in the study discussed in the text. Both Jalaukavacharana and Wet cupping were studied for their effectiveness in managing sciatic nerve compression, which is characterized by severe pain. The research aims to alleviate back or leg pain through these treatments.
2) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine, forms the basis of this study. Treatments like Jalaukavacharana, which involves bloodletting using leeches, are rooted in Ayurvedic principles. The study examines how these traditional methods compare against modern wet cupping techniques.
3) Blood:
Bloodletting is a crucial component of both Jalaukavacharana and Wet cupping, the two treatments compared in the study. In Jalaukavacharana, leeches are used to suck blood, while wet cupping involves making small cuts to draw out blood, both aiming to relieve sciatic pain.
4) Cikitsa:
Cikitsa refers to treatment or therapy in Ayurveda. Specifically, the study is authored by researchers from the Department of Cikitsa at Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute. The term underscores the Ayurvedic focus of this comparative clinical study on sciatic nerve compression.
5) Jalauka:
Jalauka, or leeches, play a central role in the Jalaukavacharana treatment. This Ayurvedic method involves applying non-poisonous leeches to the skin to suck blood, aiming to alleviate symptoms like pain and inflammation associated with sciatic nerve compression.
6) Karma (Karman):
In Ayurveda, Karma often refers to therapeutic actions or procedures. Rakthamookshana is the fifth Karma of Panchakarma therapy, which includes Jalaukavacharana as a method involving leeches. This study evaluates this traditional practice against wet cupping for treating sciatica.
7) Inflammation:
Inflammation is one of the conditions targeted by the treatments studied. Jalaukavacharana, involving leeches, may have anti-inflammatory effects due to bioactive substances in leech saliva. Wet cupping also aims to relieve inflammation through bloodletting and suction.
8) Dravyaguna (Dravya-guna):
Dravyaguna is the Ayurvedic science of medicinal properties of substances. One of the authors is from the Department of Dravyaguna, indicating the study's grounding in traditional Ayurvedic pharmacology while assessing the efficacy of Jalaukavacharana and wet cupping.
9) Discussion:
The discussion section summarizes findings, noting that wet cupping shows higher efficacy in pain reduction compared to Jalaukavacharana. The analysis draws on indexes like SBI and SFI, emphasizing the comparative effectiveness of these treatments in managing sciatic nerve compression.
10) Vagbhata:
Vagbhata is an ancient Ayurvedic scholar who, along with Sushrutha, counted Rakthamookshana as a key therapeutic procedure in Ayurveda. Jalaukavacharana is a method of Rakthamookshana, studied here for its efficacy compared to wet cupping in relieving sciatic nerve compression.
11) Medicine:
[see source text or glossary: Medicine]
12) Swelling:
Swelling is a symptom that both Jalaukavacharana and wet cupping aim to alleviate. By drawing out blood and affected fluids, these treatments seek to reduce swelling and inflammation, thus providing relief from conditions like sciatic nerve compression.
13) Panca (Pancan, Pamca):
Pancha refers to the number five in Sanskrit. In Ayurveda, Panchakarma encompasses five major purification procedures, which include Rakthamookshana (bloodletting). Jalaukavacharana, studied here, is one method of Rakthamookshana used in Ayurvedic treatment.
14) Alabu:
Alabu is a term mentioned in Ayurveda related to cupping. Wet cupping, a modern adaptation of this ancient practice, involves creating suction to draw out blood. The study compares this to Jalaukavacharana for managing sciatic nerve compression.
15) Ayus (Ayush):
[see source text or glossary: Ayush]
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Jalaukavacharana vs. wet cupping for sciatic nerve compression: study’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Diagnostic criteria, Comparative clinical study, Wet cupping, Pancha karma therapy, Sciatica Bothersomeness Index.