Dr. Abhaya Kumar Mishra

Katigraha is one of the Vatavyadhies which affects the normal function of lower limbs hampering the daily activities of a person. It is a neurological as well as musculoskeletal disorder. Among Ayurveda classics, Sharangdhara Samhita has considered Katigraha as a Nanatmaja Vatavyadhi. The cardinal features of Katigraha is pain and stiffness in low back region (Katipradesha) and restricted movement of the spine. Root cause of Katigraha is aggravated Vata and it may manifest with or without the association of Ama. Eranda is a preferred drug to treat Vata because most of the properties of Eranda is opposite to that of
Vata. Eranda pacifies Vata by its hot, unctuous, heavy and laxative properties. Eranda with its laxative property also helps to cure constipation by dislodging the encrusted matter. Eranda is the chief ingredient of Gandharvahastadi eranda tailam. The preparation contains 7 more ingredients with which it become more potent for pacifying Vata dosha. The medicine is administered internally in the dosage of 5mL with warm water or appropriate kwath before food. It’s an effective medicine for Katigraha.

Manyastambha is one of the Nanatmaja Vata vyadhi. It can be correlated with cervical spondylosis in modern medicine. Cervical spondylosis is a very common condition. It is estimated that 9 out of 10 adults will have some degree of cervical spondylosis. It usually occurs in people of age 50 or older. With the emergence of computer technology in recent years, many computer engineers also developed cervical spondylosis. It is a degenerative condition of cervical spine that most likely to be caused by age related changes in inter vertebral discs. It may cause pressure on nerve roots with subsequent pain or paraesthesia in upper limbs.
Compression of nerve roots occur when a disc prolapses laterally. The main symptoms of cervical spondylosis are pain in the neck radiating to shoulder, upper arms, hands and back of the head. Any movement may cause aggravation of pain, so patient try to hold the neck rigidly. There may be muscle wasting, numbness and loss of sensation in arms, hands and fingers. Greevabasti is a variety of external snehana. It is a procedure of applying heat to cervical region by retaining warm medicated oil within a specially formed frame on this area. It is a localized form of basti, which is indicated in painful conditions of cervical region like cervical spondylosis, Spondylolysthesis, Cervical IVDP etc. Commonly used medicated oils are Mahanarayana taila, Mahamasha taila, Karpasastyadi taila etc. Greevabasti is found to be an effective treatment in many cases of cervical spondylosis.