MANAGEMENT OF PADADAHA AND PADAHARSHA

📘 COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF PADADAHA AND PADAHARSHA: SAMPRAPTI VIGHATANA TO PATHYA-APATHYA 📘

PADADAHA AND PADAHARSHA: DEFINITION

• Padadaha: Burning sensation and pain in the sole of the foot, often accompanied by redness and inflammation.

• Padaharsha: Severe discomfort and inability to bear weight on the sole due to pain and inflammation, often with swelling and stiffness.

Both are conditions affecting the Pada (foot) region causing significant morbidity.

SAMPRAPTI (PATHOGENESIS)

• Initiated by Vata and Pitta dosha aggravation in the Pada region

• Agni mandya causes Aama formation leading to obstruction in Srotas of the foot

• Resultant inflammation causes burning (due to Pitta) and pain (due to Vata)

• Chronicity leads to tissue degeneration (Dhatu kshaya) and loss of function

• External factors like ushna sparsha, excessive walking on hot surfaces, infections also contribute

Reference:
सुष्टु्त्रसंहिता, सूत्रस्थान 51/20-21
"पाददाहे पित्ते च मेधे च दोषसंश्रयः।
तज्ज्वरं च तथाऽमलाभावं पादान्नपथो व्याधिः॥"

SAMPRAPTI VIGHATANA (REVERSAL OF PATHOGENESIS)

• Pacifying Pitta and Vata with Sheetal, Snigdha and Madhura dravyas

• Digesting and eliminating Aama using Deepana and Pachana therapies

• Clearing obstruction in srotas by Shodhana therapies like Virechana

• Applying local soothing and anti-inflammatory measures

• Restoring tissue health with Rasayana and promoting healing

CHIKITSA SUTRA (PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT)

• Pittashamana and Vatahara treatments

• Shodhana (Virechana) if indicated

• Shamana chikitsa with Sheetala, Snigdha, Tikta rasa medicines

• Local therapies: Abhyanga, Upanaha, Lepa with anti-inflammatory herbs

• Avoidance of aggravating factors

CHIKITSA OF PADADAHA (SUSHRUTA SAMHITA SK51)

• Use of Sheetala and Snigdha therapies to pacify Pitta and Vata

• Taila abhyanga with Mahatiktaka taila or Dhanvantara taila

• Patra pinda sweda with Shatavari or Usheer leaves

• Oral administration of Guduchi, Triphala, Amalaki decoction

• Avoidance of heat, spicy foods, and strenuous walking

• Virechana karma (therapeutic purgation) for systemic detoxification if Aama present

Reference:
सुष्टुत्रसंहिता, सूत्रस्थान 51/22-24
"पाददाहे शीतलं तैलाभ्यङ्गं सह पट्टिका।
शीतलानि ज्वालनाशानि प्रयुज्यन्ते हिते किल।"

CHIKITSA OF PADAHARSHA (SUSHRUTA SAMHITA SK54)

• Rest and immobilization of foot to reduce inflammation

• Local Lepa of Nimba, Haridra, and Guduchi paste to reduce swelling and pain

• Oral medications: Dashamoola kwatha, Guduchi churna for anti-inflammatory effect

• Use of Mridu virechana to eliminate Pitta and toxins

• Avoid weight-bearing until symptoms subside

• Supportive measures like elevation and cold compress

Reference:
सुष्टुत्रसंहिता, सूत्रस्थान 54/10-12
"पादहर्षे विश्रामः पादे स्थिरीकरणं च।
लक्ष्णकृत्यं विनिवारणं तथा शीघ्रं रोगनाशनम्॥"

CHIKITSA YOJANA (TREATMENT PLAN INCLUDING RASAYANA & PATHYAPATHYA)

• SHODHANA
  • Virechana for Pitta and Aama elimination
  • Snehana and Swedana (if indicated) for Vata pacification

• SHAMANA THERAPIES
  • Oral: Guduchi, Amalaki, Triphala decoctions
  • Mahatikta Ghrita or Chandana preparations internally

• LOCAL THERAPIES
  • Abhyanga with Mahatiktaka taila, Dhanvantara taila
  • Lepa of Nimba, Haridra, Guduchi
  • Cold compress and elevation

• RASAYANA
  • Amalaki Rasayana – rejuvenates tissues, balances Pitta
  • Guduchi Rasayana – immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory
  • Chyawanprasha – to strengthen overall vitality

• PATHYA (WHLESOME DIET & HABITS)
  • Sheetala, Madhura, Tikta rasa predominant diet
  • Avoid spicy, hot, oily, and heavy food items
  • Adequate hydration with Shatavari or Kashaya teas
  • Rest with minimal foot exertion
  • Moderate exercise as tolerated after acute phase

• APATHYA (UNWHOLESOME DIET & HABITS)
  • Avoid exposure to heat, excessive sun
  • Avoid hot, spicy, sour foods
  • Avoid excessive walking and standing

MODERN CORRELATION

• Padadaha can correlate to Plantar Fasciitis, Neuropathy, or Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome with burning foot pain.

• Padaharsha may represent Severe inflammatory conditions like Cellulitis, Gout, or Foot abscess causing pain and swelling.

• Treatment includes NSAIDs, antibiotics (if infection), rest, physiotherapy, and in chronic cases corticosteroid injections or surgery.

• Importance of foot care in diabetic neuropathy to prevent ulcers and infections.