Vatakantaka is one among the Vataja Nanatmaja Vyadhi. The vitiated Vata in khudapradesha is the main cause for the disease, which is characterized by Kantakavat Shoola (severe pricking pain) in padatala pradesh. Nidana for Vatakantaka are improper placing the feet on the ground while walking (vishamampade) or exhaustion due to excess of walking (atishrama).¹

                                                                                    Pain in the heel region can be subdivided according to the region affected as pain within the heel, pain behind the heel and pain beneath the heel.² Calcaneal Spur is a bony projection forwards from undersurface of the calcaneal tuberosity³ and it is characterized by pain within and beneath the heel region hence, it can be correlated to Vatakantaka. The causes are mainly repeated attacks of plantar fasciitis, repeated trauma, ill fitting footwear, constant pulls of the shortened plantar fascia and fibromatosis of plantar fascia.⁴ Calcaneal Spur is characterized by pain over ball of the heel, tenderness on plantar aspect of the heel with slight swelling at the attachment of plantar fascia.⁵

                                                                                                                The study on incidence of calcaneal spur in Indian population with heel pain is around 59%, in which females, obese, middle age and young athletes group are mostly affected.⁶ Current conservative treatment modalities includes treating the causative factor, rest, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, local infiltration of hydrocortisone and microcellular rubber or placing a soft pad under the tender heel.⁷ These non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs  produce adverse effect like gastric irritation.

                                                                                    Surgery as a last resort is done either by chiseling off the bony spur with division of plantar fascia or endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. But some potential postoperative complications of surgery which include recurrent heel pain, permanent local numbness, painful nerve entrapment, wound dehiscence, infections and hypertrophic scar. It requires hospitalization and is expensive for the patient. And above all there is always a good chance of recurrence in these treatment modalities.

                                                                                    According to Acharya Chakradatta the treatment for Vatakantaka includes Raktavasechana, Erandatailapana, Agnikarma⁸ and Samanya vatavyadh ichikitsa.⁹ Jaloukavacharana and Siravyadha are one among various types of Raktavasechana.

                                                                                    Jaloukavacharana is one among the Ashashtrakrut Raktamokshanopaya, it is indicated in Avagadha Avastha and Grathita Avastha¹⁰ of Doshas and can also be used in all the conditions where Raktavasechana is indicated (Sarvani Sarverva).¹¹ Hence, Considering above factors to manage pain in Vatakantaka, Jaloukavacharana is taken for study group.

                                                                                    Acharya Sushruta specified the use of Siravyadha in Vatakantaka¹² and by previous research studies on Siravyadha is taken as standard procedure for present study. As Jaloukavacharana is safest procedure, cost effective and it is carried out in Bala, Vrudha, Biru, Sukumara and Durbala. Hence the present study is undertaken to compare the analgesic effect on Jaloukavacharana and Siravyadha in Vatakantaka with special reference to Calcaneal  Spur.