Abstract

AGNI KARMA IN THE MANEGMENT OF CALCANEAL SPUR (VAATAKANTAKA)

Vd. Sunil A. Bhaskare*

Abstract

A calcaneal spur is a small osteophyte, pointed bony outgrowth of bone, located on the calcaneus (heel bone). Calcaneal spur as per modern and Vaatkantaka as per Ayurveda has etiological and clinical relationship The most common form of heel pain is mainly due to calcaneal spur. It is one of the most troublesome common health complaint usually affects badly peoples routine work and once it is manifested very difficult for the body to heal. Large percentages of people suffer from this disease. This is most often in the patients over the age of 35 years. Women are the common sufferer. A heel spur is a calcium deposit causing a bony protrusion on the underside of the heel bone. They are attributed to chronic local inflammation at the insertion of soft tissue tendons or fascia in the area. Pain in the heel is one the most common symptom of calcaneal spur. The most common form of heel pain at the bottom of heel. It tends without any apparent reason and often worsen when placing weight on the foot. Patient usually complaints of pain in a morning or after getting up to stand after sitting for a while. The pain can be sharp, shooting pain or present as a tearing feeling at the bottom of the heel. There is no safe cost effective treatment in modern medicine. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the best for management of calcaneal spur. Agni karma therapy is mostly used in treatment of calcaneal spur. In agni karma, heat is applied to a particular part of body to reduce inflammation there and hence the underlying pain.

Keywords: .