This document outlines a study on the treatment of Vatakantaka (plantar fasciitis) using Valuka sweda (dry heat therapy with medicated cloth balls) and Gandharvahastadi taila (herbal oil). The study involved 20 patients who received the intervention daily for 8 days. Assessment criteria included pain, stiffness, tingling and swelling which all showed significant reductions of 61-89% after treatment based on the results. The discussion indicates that snehana (oleation) followed by sweda helps reduce vata dosha in the ankle joint and restores mobility while the herbal oil and heat therapy provide anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. The conclusion is that the treatment was

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Dr.Gurmel Singh
SKAMCH&RC
10th Pipeline road, R.P.C layout
Vijayanagar, Bangalore
e mail:- gurmelbhardwaj4412@gmail.com

2.  INTRODUCTION
 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 INTERVENTION
 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
 OBSERVATIONS
 RESULTS
 DISSCUSION
 CONCLUSION
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CONTENTS

3. INTRODUCTION
• Vatakantaka is a condition which is commonly seen, in the
people from all walks of life in both the sexes.
• High heeled & hard foot wears, improperly fitting footwear,
Standing for prolonged period of time are some of the prime
causes.
• Pain in heel is a major concern which interferes with the routine
activities .
• Most of the sufferers are people who are overweight and middle
aged.
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4. Vatakantaka = Plantar Fasciitis, Calcaneal Spur
Retro calcaneal bursitis, Achilles Tendinitis
Ayurvedic Treatment modules
 Samanya Vatavyadhi Chikitsa
 Abhyanga
 Erandataila pana
 Raktavasechana
 Agni karma
 Ruksha Sweda like Valuka sweda & ishtika sweda.
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5. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
• To evaluate the effect of Valuka Sweda with
Gandharvahastadi Taila Abhyatara Pana in the
management of Vatakantaka.
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6. MATERIALS AND METHODS
SOURCE OF DATA
• 20 patients diagnosed with Vatakantaka , were
selected from the OPD and IPD of SKAMCH &
RC, Bengaluru-560104.
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
• Patients suffering with lakshanas of Vatakantaka
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7. INCLUSION CRITERIA
• Patients presenting with lakshanas of Vatakantaka.
• Patients of either sex, above 18 years.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA
• Other systemic diseases which interfere with the course
of treatment.
• Patients with the Fracture or dislocation of ankle joint.
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8. INTERVENTION
• 20 Patients diagnosed with Vatakantaka vyadhi were
selected and administered Valuka sweda along with
Gandharvahastadi taila Abhyantarapana for 8 consecutive
days.
• Abhyantara sneha pana
Gandharvahastyadi taila (10ml) was given in the early
morning on empty stomach with warm water.
• Valuka sweda
Sthanika abhyanga with Pinda taila about 10 minutes
was done over the affected part .
Swedana was induced by using Valuka pottali dipped in
Amlakanji for about 20 minutes.
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9. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
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RUK TODA
STAMBHASOPHA

10. Ruk (pain)
No pain 0
Occasional pain 1
Mild pain but no difficulty in walking 2
Moderate pain and slight difficulty in walking 3
Severe pain and more difficulty in walking 4
Toda
No pricking sensation 0
Occasional pricking sensation 1
Mild pricking sensation 2
Moderate pricking sensation 3
Severe pricking sensation 4
10
Sthambha (stiffness)
No sthambha 0
Sometimes for 5-10 minutes 1
Daily for 10- 30 minutes 2
Daily for 30 - 60 minutes 3
Daily more than 1 hour 4
Shopha
No Swelling 0
Mild Swelling 1
Slight more in comparison to milder one 2
Moderate swelling of ankle joint 3
Profuse Swelling 4

11. RESULT
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
Ruk Toda Sthamba Shopha
BT AT
61% ↓
89.2% ↓
73.5% ↓
87.5% ↓
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12. DISCUSSION
• Vatakantaka is a disease manifested when Vata takes shelter in
the ankle region and cause severe pain.
– Snehana f/b Swedana helps in reducing the rooksha guna of vata.
– Abhyanga has significantly benefited in preventing the rate of
degeneration and helps in restoring the joint mobility.
– Pinda Taila acts as vedanasthapaka.
– Valuka is a rooksha dravya, when it is used with amlakanji it acts as
snigdha rooksha sweda.
– Gandharvahastadi taila acts as snigdha virechaka .
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13. CONCLUSION
• Majority of the patients in the study suffered with
Calcaneal spur and two cases were suffering from
Bursitis.
• The present study, indicates that Vatakantaka vyadhi
can be more so seen with the Calcaneal spur as the
underlying pathology according to modern parlance.
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14. • In the present study, the overall effect of treatment in
Vatakantaka has shown statistically highly significant with
p value < 0.001
• Hence, the present study revealed that Valuka Sweda along
with Gandharvahastadi taila is more effective and
beneficial in the management of its symptoms especially ruk
which is the prime symptom in Vatakantaka.
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