Comparative Study of Agnikarma and Siravedha in Plantar Fasciitis

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Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: A Comparative Clinical Study on Effect of Agnikarma and Siravedha in Vata Kantaka w.s.r Plantar Fasciitis
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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Original source:

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Author(s):

A. Bhuvaneshwar
PG Scholar, HOD P.G. Dept. of Shalya, Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K. Srinivasa kumar
Professor & HOD, HOD P.G. Dept. of Shalya, Sri Venkateswara Ayurvedic Medical College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India.


Ayushdhara:

(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)

Full text available for: A Comparative Clinical Study on Effect of Agnikarma and Siravedha in Vata Kantaka w.s.r Plantar Fasciitis

Year: 2023 | Doi: 10.47070/ayushdhara.v10i4.1284

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Vatakantaka, commonly associated with the modern condition of plantar fasciitis, causes significant pain in the heel area due to the aggravation of Vata dosha. Characterized by sharp, stabbing pain, it commonly affects individuals in the age group of 25-60 years, particularly those engaged in highly active professions. Traditional management approaches have limitations, prompting a need for effective, affordable treatments. This study compares the efficacy of two Ayurvedic treatments—Agnikarma and Siravedha—in alleviating the symptoms of Vatakantaka.

Efficacy of Agnikarma

Agnikarma is a para-surgical procedure detailed in the Sushruta Samhita, which utilizes localized heat to treat various conditions, including severe pain. In this study, patients receiving Agnikarma reported a remarkable 90.53% improvement in pain relief, tenderness, and results from the windlass test, showcasing its effectiveness in managing plantar fasciitis. The application of hot metal on targeted areas enhances blood circulation, alleviates pain, and supports healing by addressing the underlying dosha imbalances. This method stands out due to its ease of application and minimal requirement for hospitalization, making it a favorable option for treatment.

Effectiveness of Siravedha

Siravedha, another traditional technique described by Sushruta, involves bloodletting to remove vitiated blood, thereby enhancing blood flow and aiding in the healing process. In the study, the patients treated with Siravedha achieved an 88.31% success rate, indicating significant improvement in symptoms akin to those treated with Agnikarma. The method also aims to restore the proper balance of doshas by removing excess Vata and Kapha in the afflicted area. While both methods demonstrated significant efficacy, the Siravedha technique was slightly less effective than Agnikarma in this comparative analysis.

Conclusion

Both Agnikarma and Siravedha proved to be effective treatments for alleviating the symptoms of Vatakantaka, with notable improvements observed in pain, tenderness, and functionality. Notably, Agnikarma exhibited superior results compared to Siravedha, making it a prominent choice for managing plantar fasciitis. The simplicity, economic feasibility, and absence of the need for hospitalization in both treatment modalities underline their suitability for outpatient care. Hence, these Ayurvedic procedures offer promising alternatives for patients seeking relief from chronic heel pain.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What is Vatakantaka and how is it related to Plantar Fasciitis?

Vatakantaka is a condition causing severe heel pain, similar to Plantar Fasciitis. It occurs when Vata aggravates, causing sharp, stabbing pain in the heel, which impacts daily activities.

What therapies were compared in this clinical study?

The study compared the effects of Agnikarma and Siravedha on patients with Vatakantaka, evaluating their efficacy in relieving symptoms associated with Plantar Fasciitis.

What were the key findings regarding pain relief from the study?

Both Agnikarma and Siravedha significantly relieved pain and tenderness. Agnikarma showed slightly better effectiveness, with pain reduced by 89%, while Siravedha achieved an 86% reduction.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Comparative Study of Agnikarma and Siravedha in Plantar Fasciitis”. 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 in the context of Vatakantaka refers to the severe discomfort in the heel region caused by the aggravated Vata, which is compared to thorny pain. Both Agnikarma and Siravedha treatments aimed to alleviate this pain in the study.

2) Vatakantaka (Vata-kantaka):
Vata-kantaka, often referred to simply as Vatakantaka, is a condition marked by severe, thorny pain in the foot, particularly the heel, due to the aggravated Vata dosha.

3) Agnikarma (Agni-karma):
Agnikarma is a para-surgical procedure described in Sushruta-samhita where heat is applied to relieve severe pain in bones and joints. It was one of the treatments compared in the study for its effectiveness in managing Vatakantaka.

4) Siravedha (Sira-vedha):
Siravedha is a type of Raktamokshana or bloodletting procedure elaborately described in Sushruta-samhita. It involves puncturing specific veins to remove vitiated blood and was compared with Agnikarma for treating Vatakantaka.

5) Swelling:
Swelling refers to the abnormal enlargement of a part of the body, typically as a result of inflammation. Interestingly, none of the patients in either group showed swelling as plantar fasciitis does not typically cause it.

6) Vata:
Vata is one of the three doshas in Ayurvedic medicine responsible for movement and transportation. In Vatakantaka, Vata gets aggravated and causes pain and stiffness in the foot and heel.

7) Blood:
Blood is critical in Ayurvedic procedures like Siravedha, where vitiated blood is removed to allow fresh, nutrient-rich blood to heal the affected area. It plays a key role in understanding treatments for Vatakantaka.

8) Disease:
Disease in this context refers to Vatakantaka, which is predominantly caused by the vitiation of Vata and occasionally Kapha, leading to pain and functional impairment.

9) Kantaka (Kamtaka):
Kantaka translates to thorn, representing the sharp, thorn-like pain experienced in Vatakantaka, akin to the symptoms of plantar fasciitis in modern medicine.

10) Salaka (Shalaka):
Shalaka is a rod-like instrument used in Agnikarma. It is heated until red-hot and applied to specific points to create therapeutic burns, aiming to alleviate pain and inflammation in Vatakantaka.

11) Kapha:
Kapha, one of the three doshas, signifies stability and structure. In Vatakantaka, the aggravation of Kapha along with Vata leads to symptoms like pain and stiffness in the heel.

12) Discussion:
Discussion in this context involves analyzing the results and effectiveness of different treatments like Agnikarma and Siravedha for managing Vatakantaka, as well as understanding their mechanisms.

13) Raktamokshana (Raktamoksana, Rakta-mokshana):
Raktamokshana, or bloodletting, is crucial in Ayurveda for removing vitiated blood. Siravedha is a type of Raktamokshana, and its effectiveness in treating Vatakantaka was compared with Agnikarma in the study.

14) Sandhi (Shandhi, Samdhi):
Sandhi means joint. Conditions like Vatakantaka involve severe pain in joints such as the ankle and heel, which are treated using methods like Agnikarma and Siravedha.

15) Angula (Amgula):
Angula is a traditional unit of measurement in Ayurveda, approximately equal to 4 cm. It is used in procedures like Siravedha to locate specific veins for bloodletting.

16) Karma (Karman):
Karma in Ayurveda refers to actions or procedures carried out for healing purposes. Agnikarma and Siravedha are both sophisticated karmas aimed at treating Vatakantaka.

17) Asthi (Ashthi):
Asthi means bone. In conditions like Vatakantaka, severe pain often affects the bones or joints, and procedures like Agnikarma target these areas to provide relief.

18) Sushruta-samhita (Susruta-samhita):
Sushruta-samhita is an ancient Ayurvedic text attributed to the surgeon Sushruta. It describes various medical and surgical procedures, including Agnikarma and Siravedha, for treating conditions like Vatakantaka.

19) Inflammation:
Inflammation refers to the body's response to injury, often causing redness, heat, swelling, and pain. It is a characteristic of plantar fasciitis, correlated with Vatakantaka in Ayurveda.

20) Vatavyadhi (Vata-vyadhi):
Vatavyadhi refers to diseases caused by the aggravation of Vata dosha. Vatakantaka is classified under Vatavyadhi, leading to severe pain and functional impairment.

21) Perception:
Perception in this context involves how pain is felt and processed. Agnikarma alleviates pain partly by increasing the perception of heat and pressure, which can reduce pain sensation.

22) Irritation:
Irritation refers to the discomfort or pain caused by an external stimulus. Agnikarma relieves pain in Vatakantaka by creating a counter irritation through heat application.

23) Purvakarma (Purvakarman, Purva-karman):
Purvakarma denotes preparatory procedures. Before Agnikarma or Siravedha, preparatory steps like cleaning the area, heating Shalaka, or administering snehana (oleation) are taken.

24) Stiffness:
Stiffness in Vatakantaka refers to the difficulty in moving the foot or heel, often associated with pain and swelling. Treatments aim to alleviate both stiffness and pain.

25) Tirupati (Thirupati, Tiruppati):
Tirupati is the location of the S.V. Ayurvedic Hospital where the study on Agnikarma and Siravedha for treating Vatakantaka was conducted.

26) Vatadosha (Vatadosa, Vata-dosha):
Vatadosa represents the disorder of the Vata dosha. In Vatakantaka, vatadosa gets aggravated and causes severe pain and other symptoms in the heel.

27) Samhita:
Samhita means a compilation or text. Sushruta-samhita is the Ayurvedic text that provides detailed descriptions of treatments like Agnikarma and Siravedha.

28) Kumari:
[see source text or glossary: Kumari]

29) Cotton:
[see source text or glossary: Cotton]

30) Dosha (Dosa):
Dosha refers to the three fundamental bodily humors in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Imbalances in doshas lead to various diseases, including Vatakantaka.

31) Mamsa (Mamsha):
[see source text or glossary: Mamsa]

32) Rakta:
Rakta or blood is crucial in Ayurvedic treatments like Siravedha, where removing vitiated blood helps bring fresh, nutrient-rich blood to the affected area.

33) Snayu:
[see source text or glossary: Snayu]

34) Honey:
[see source text or glossary: Honey]

35) Sira (Shira):
[see source text or glossary: Sira]

36) Food:
[see source text or glossary: Food]

37) Ghi (Ghee):
[see source text or glossary: Ghee]

38) Pradhana-karma:
[see source text or glossary: Pradhana-karma]

39) Cauterisation (Cauterization):
Cauterization involves burning a part of the body to stop bleeding or prevent infection. Agnikarma employs this technique to relieve pain and inflammation in Vatakantaka.

40) Shalyatantra (Salyatantra, Shalya-tantra, Shalyatamtra):
[see source text or glossary: Salya-tantra]

41) Madhavakara:
[see source text or glossary: Madhavakara]

42) Kaphadosha (Kaphadosa, Kapha-dosha):
[see source text or glossary: Kapha-dosha]

43) Vatashonita (Vatasonita, Vata-shonita):
[see source text or glossary: Vatasonita]

44) Samprapti:
[see source text or glossary: Samprapti]

45) Vicarcika:
[see source text or glossary: Vicarcika]

46) Shrinivasa (Shri-nivasa, Srinivasa):
[see source text or glossary: Srinivasa]

47) Vitiation (Vitiated):
[see source text or glossary: Vitiation]

48) Triphala (Tri-phala):
[see source text or glossary: Triphala]

49) Pradhana:
[see source text or glossary: Pradhana]

50) Ashukari (Asukari):
[see source text or glossary: Ashukari]

51) Sukshma (Suksma, Shukshma):
[see source text or glossary: Sukshma]

52) Visarpa:
[see source text or glossary: Visarpa]

53) Snehana:
[see source text or glossary: Snehana]

54) Avarana:
[see source text or glossary: Avarana]

55) Nidhana:
[see source text or glossary: Nidhana]

56) Tikshna (Tiksna):
[see source text or glossary: Tikshna]

57) Vyavayi:
[see source text or glossary: Vyavayi]

58) Tantra (Tamtra, Tantrism):
[see source text or glossary: Tantra]

59) Shotha (Sotha):
[see source text or glossary: Shotha]

60) Ruksha (Ruksa):
[see source text or glossary: Ruksha]

61) Yavagu:
[see source text or glossary: Yavagu]

62) Shalya (Salya):
[see source text or glossary: Salya]

63) Andhra (Amdhra):
[see source text or glossary: Andhra]

64) Nidana:
[see source text or glossary: Nidana]

65) Dagdha:
[see source text or glossary: Dagdha]

66) Vyadhin (Vyadhi):
[see source text or glossary: Vyadhi]

67) Repair:
[see source text or glossary: Repair]

68) Police:
[see source text or glossary: Police]

69) Farmer:
[see source text or glossary: Farmer]

70) Indian:
[see source text or glossary: Indian]

71) Pitta:
[see source text or glossary: Pitta]

72) Madhu:
[see source text or glossary: Madhu]

73) Vidhi:
[see source text or glossary: Vidhi]

74) Laghu:
[see source text or glossary: Laghu]

75) Ushna (Usna):
[see source text or glossary: Ushna]

[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 86]

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