JALAUKĀVACARAṆA IN PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis is a disorder that results in pain in the heel and plantar surface. Chronic inflammation of posterior bony attachment of the plantar aponeurosis is known as plantar fasciitis. As per statistics, 1 in 10 people develop heel pain at some point in their life. Out of heel pain from all causes, 80% is due to plantar fasciitis. People are advised to take rest, physiotherapy, orthotics, splinting or steroid injections. Despite proper management in modern medicine, reoccurrence rate is more. Hence it is relevant to find out a meth-od of management of this condition using Ayurveda. The causative and risk factors create a cumulative micro trauma to plantar fascia and it may be considered as Vraṇa and the inflammatory changes in plantar fascia may be considered as Vraṇa Śōpha. For inflammations with recent origin bloodletting should be car-ried out to reduce pain and obviate suppuration. So Jalaukāvacaraṇa was done as it is a non-invasive, pa-tient compliant and time saving procedure. A total number of 20 participants with the symptoms of plantar fasciitis were selected and evaluated, by taking detailed history and clinical examination. The study was conducted at Shalyatantra OPD of VPSV AVC, Kottakkal. Jalaukāvacaraṇa was done on 1st, 8th and 15th days. Clinical assessments were done on 1st, 8th, 15th 22nd and 43rd days. On statistical analysis, it was found that the Jalaukāvacaraṇa shows 67.85 % of effect in the management of plantar fasciitis. Ja-laukāvacaraṇa is having more efficacy in acute cases (duration within 6 months), as Raktaviśrāvaṇa is indicated for recent inflammations.