The Transformative Potential of Viddhaagnikarma - Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Pain Relief

Afra Eiram; Muralidhara N; KM Sweta

doi:10.21760/jaims.9.12.19

Afra Eiram Post Graduate Scholar, Dept. of PG studies in Shalya Tantra, Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Muralidhara N Professor, Dept. of PG studies in Shalya Tantra, Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
KM Sweta HOD & Professor, Dept. of PG studies in Shalya Tantra, Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science and Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21760/jaims.9.12.19

Keywords: Agnikarma, Chronic Pain, Viddha Karma, Viddhaagnikarma

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain, poses a global health challenge, contributing to disability and increasing healthcare costs. Conventional treatments like NSAIDs and opioids often fail to provide sustainable relief and come with risks of adverse effects. Viddhaagnikarma, an integrative Ayurvedic approach that combines Viddha Karma (puncturing) and Agnikarma (thermal cauterization), offers a novel method for chronic pain management by balancing Vata dosha and providing sustainable pain relief. Methods: This review synthesizes information from Ayurvedic texts and modern research databases (PubMed, Scopus, and AYUSH) to examine Viddhaagnikarma’s theoretical foundation and application in pain management. Relevant data on related pain conditions and procedural details were collected to assess the technique's effectiveness and mechanisms. Results: Viddhaagnikarma employs both mechanical and thermal stimulation to alleviate pain through endorphin release, enhanced blood circulation, and tissue regeneration. This dual-action approach provides immediate and long-term relief for chronic pain conditions such as sciatica and osteoarthritis. Compared to acupuncture, Viddhaagnikarma’s use of localized heat adds unique therapeutic benefits, including reduced inflammation and increased metabolic activity at the cellular level. Discussion: Viddhaagnikarma shows promise as a comprehensive pain management technique, engaging both physiological and neurological pain pathways. Its mechanisms align with modern pain modulation concepts, highlighting its relevance in chronic pain management. However, further research, particularly large-scale clinical trials, is essential to confirm its clinical efficacy and establish standardized protocols for its use.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Vos T, Abajobir AA, Abate KH, et al. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet. 2017;390(10100):1211-1259. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32154-2.

Bhatnagar S, Gupta M. Prevalence and management of chronic pain in India. Pain Medicine. 2018;19(5):961-964. doi:10.1093/pm/pnx276.

Chou R, Turner JA, Devine EB, et al. The effectiveness and risks of long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(4):276-286. doi:10.7326/M14-2559.

Sharma H, Chandola HM, Singh G, Basisht G. Utilization of Ayurveda in health care: an approach for prevention, health promotion, and treatment of disease. Part 1—Ayurveda, the science of life. J Altern Complement Med. 2007;13(9):1011-1019. doi:10.1089/acm.2007.7017.

Shastri A, editor. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesha, Revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with Ayurveda Dipika Commentary by Chakrapanidatta. 5th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2011. p. 734.

Sharma RK, Dash B. Caraka Samhita: Text with English Translation and Critical Exposition Based on Cakrapani Datta’s Ayurveda Dipika. Vol 1. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2001. p. 119.

Gupta A. Pain in Ayurveda: A critical review. Ayu. 2010;31(3):329-333. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.77163.

Sharma PV. Sushruta Samhita: Text with English Translation, Notes, Appendices and Commentary. Vol 1. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Visvabharati; 2001. p. 398.

Raja SN, Carr DB, Cohen M, et al. The revised International Association for the Study of Pain definition of pain: concepts, challenges, and compromises. Pain. 2020;161(9):1976-1982. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001939.

Basbaum AI, Bushnell MC, Devor M. Pain mechanisms and management: insights from animal models. Lancet. 2009;374(9695):1953-1962. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736 (09)62026-9.

Woolf CJ. Central sensitization: implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain. 2011;152(3 Suppl):S2-15. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2010.09.030.

Tracey I, Mantyh PW. The cerebral signature for pain perception and its modulation. Neuron. 2007;55(3):377-391. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2007.07.012.

Sharma PV. Sushruta Samhita: Text with English Translation, Notes, Appendices and Commentary. Vol 1. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Visvabharati; 2001. p. 398.

Monier-Williams M. A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass; 2005. p. 970.

Murthy KR. Sushruta Samhita: Text with English Translation, Dalhana Commentary and Critical Notes. Vol 1. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2005. p. 524.

Dash B, Sharma RK. Charaka Samhita of Agnivesa: Text with English Translation and Critical Exposition Based on Chakrapanidatta's Commentary. Vol 1. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2001. p. 219-221.

Bhishagratna KK. An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita Based on Original Sanskrit Text. Vol 1. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2010. p. 410.

Sharma S, Singh S, Singh K. Role of Agnikarma in the management of Vata Vyadhi: A critical review. Ayu. 2012;33(1):107-111. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.100309.

Singh S, Yadav A, Pandey K. A comprehensive review of Agnikarma therapy in Ayurveda and its contemporary relevance. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci. 2019;4(2):120-125. doi:10.21760/jaims.4.2.22.

Reddy R, Awasthi V. Clinical efficacy of Agnikarma in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee joint: A pilot study. Anc Sci Life. 2015;35(1):39-44. doi:10.4103/0257-7941.171809.

Low J, Reed A. Electrotherapy Explained: Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013. p. 140-142.

Ruckenstein MJ, Shapiro S, Bigelow DC. Clinical applications of monopolar and bipolar electrocautery. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2003;28(5):452-457. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2273.2003.00736.x.

Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002 /acr.24131.

Tripathi Y, Sharma P, Dwivedi S. Therapeutic evaluation of Viddhagnikarma in Vata Vyadhi: A case series. Ayu. 2021;42(3):189-194. doi:10.4103/ayu.ayu_22_21.

Ajaya K, editor. Marma Science and Principles of Manipulative Therapy. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2016. p. 75-79.

Woolf CJ. Central sensitization: implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain. 2011;152(3 Suppl):S2-15. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2010.09.030.

Singh PK, Dwivedi R. Exploring thermal cauterization techniques in Ayurveda and their clinical parallels in modern medicine. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2018;9(1):64-68. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2017.11.001.

Masalekar S, Nagaratna A. Viddhaagnikarma in Achilles Tendinitis – A case study. Int Ayurvedic Med J. 2020;8(3):3145. Available from: www.iamj.in.

De Silva UMGD, et al. Effect of Viddha Karma (dry needle procedure) in the treatment of Sciatica – A case report. Int J Ayur Med. 2022;13(2):566-569.

Kumar M, et al. Application of Agnikarma in surgical practices. Varanasi: Chaukambha Orientalia; 2020. p. 79-82.

Hsu CH, Chiu YL, Wang K, et al. Mechanisms of Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture on Pain Relief. Anesthesiology. 2014;120(2):482-492.

Melzack R, Wall PD. Pain mechanisms: A new theory. Science. 1965;150(3699):971–9. doi:10.1126/science. 150.3699.971.

Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM. Principles of Neural Science. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2013.

Van 't Hoff JH. Études de Dynamique Chimique. Amsterdam: Frederik Muller & Co; 1884.