A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF AGNIKARMA WITH SWARNA SHALAKA AND PANCHDHATU SHALAKA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VATKANTAKA (PLANTAR FASCIITIS)

Abstract

Background: Vatakantaka, described in Ayurvedic classics under Vata Vyadhi, closely resembles plantar fasciitis in contemporary medicine. It is characterized by severe pain and tenderness in the heel region, resulting in difficulty during walking and daily activities. Agnikarma has been advocated as an effective treatment modality for Vatakantaka. The present study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of Agnikarma performed with Swarna Shalaka and Panchdhatu Shalaka in the management of Vatakantaka. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of Agnikarma using Swarna Shalaka and Panchdhatu Shalaka in patients suffering from Vatakantaka. Materials and Methods: A comparative clinical study was conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with Vatakantaka. The patients were non-randomly divided into two groups comprising 20 patients each. Group A was treated with Agnikarma using Swarna Shalaka, while Group B received Agnikarma using Panchdhatu Shalaka. Agnikarma was performed at weekly intervals following standard Ayurvedic procedures. The assessment criteria included pain, tenderness, and morning stiffness, which were evaluated before treatment and during follow-up visits. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Both groups showed statistically highly significant improvement in the symptoms of Vatakantaka. Group A (Swarna Shalaka) demonstrated comparatively better results, with complete relief observed in 85% of patients, whereas Group B (Panchdhatu Shalaka) showed complete relief in 50% of patients. The reduction in pain and improvement in functional ability was more pronounced in the Swarna Shalaka group. Conclusion: Agnikarma is an effective and safe treatment modality for the management of Vatakantaka. Although both Swarna Shalaka and Panchdhatu Shalaka provided significant relief, Agnikarma with Swarna Shalaka exhibited superior therapeutic efficacy compared to Panchdhatu Shalaka.