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Called *gridhrasi* in ayurvedic parlance and one of the pure *vata* diseases, sciatica is the pain resulting from the irritation of the sciatic nerve. This being the largest nerve in the body, originating from the lumbar spinal cord and extending through the buttock area, to send its branches in the lower limb. The sciatica pain is typically felt from the low back to behind the thigh, and it radiates down below the knee and sometimes even to the foot.

Ayurvedic texts attribute vitiated *vata* to be its chief causative factor. Generally sciatica occurs due to wrong sitting postures, lifting heavy weights and jerks and trauma having an impact on the lumbar spine. Disc herniation directly pressing on the nerve and many other factors, which include irritation of the nerve arising from situations like bone deformity, internal growths, infections and muscle weakness, can also give rise to this problem.

The onset of pain can be sudden or gradual and it is exacerbated by coughing, sneezing and adopting certain body postures which raise pressure on the affected nerve. Numbness may be felt over the distribution of the involved nerve root and in more severe cases, weakness of the calf muscle and foot-drop may also occur. The initial diagnosis is made on the mode of the onset of pain and its aggravation by the flexion of the spine. Other sophisticated tests like MRI can more precisely tell about the extent of the problem.

Though the treatment of sciatica depends upon the underlying cause, the first and foremost therapeutic measure in all cases of acute sciatica is rest in bed which must be absolute with the prohibition of the sitting position. The effectiveness of the bed rest in patients with sciatica of sufficient pain can be gauged minimally after a week. In chronic cases, activities like walking are encouraged but the patient is reminded not to adopt activities which are likely to put unnecessary strain on the back. Many times recurrence of the trouble results only by not following doctor's advise properly on this account.

There are many classic ayurvedic medicines which are indicated to treat sciatica. Depending upon the condition of the patient, any suitable guggul preparation like the panchamrita loha, yograj, and tryodshang should form the base of its treatment. Vaishvanar churna, ajmodadi churna and simple powders of ashwagandha and suranjan are an effective *vata* relieving remedies.