Efficacy of Marma Chikitsa in the Pain Management of “Plantar Fasciitis” (Vatakantak) - A Case Study

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis is a cause of foot pain in adults, with the peak incidence occurring in people between the ages of 40 and 60 years. The pain originates at or near the site of the plantar fascia attachment to the medial tuberosity of the calcaneus. Vatakantak is associated with a painful foot and ankle joint disease. It is aggravated Vata as a result of walking on an uneven surface A 40-year-old female came to the OPD of Pt. Khushilal Sharma Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Bhopal (MP), with pain and restricted movement in her right heel for 3 months, having received conventional treatment with no significant change. In this case study, the effectiveness of Marma Chikitsa in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (Vatakantak) is assessed. The patient was treated with Marma Chikitsa for 15 days. The range of motion continuously improved. Self grading pattern for pain in the right heel was 3 before initiating therapy, but it decreased to 1 after the first course of the treatment plan and eventually to 0 after completion of treatment. The study found that Marma Chikitsa could be utilised to treat plantar fasciitis (Vatakantak).