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“A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON MARMA &

A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON MARMA & ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND

ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND EVALUATION OF THEIR


THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE”
EVALUATION OF THEIR THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE

BY
Dr. VIVEK.J. B.A.M.S

Dissertation submitted to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health


Sciences, Bangalore, for the partial fulfillment for the Degree
Of
MASTER OF SURGERY
(Ayurveda Dhanvantari)
In

SHALYA TANTRA
Under the guidance of
Dr. VENKATESH.B.A
B.S.A.M., B.A.M.S., M.D (SHALYA TANTRA)
Professor & HOD
Department of Post Graduate Studies in Shalya Tantra
Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bengaluru.
Dr. VIVEK.J
2010 - 2011

DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES IN SHALYA TANTRA


GOVERNMENT AYURVEDIC MEDICAL COLLEGE
DHANWANTARI ROAD, BANGALORE – 560009
2010-2011
“A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON MARMA &
ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND EVALUATION OF THEIR
THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE”

BY

Dr. VIVEK.J. B.A.M.S

Dissertation submitted to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health


Sciences, Bangalore, for the partial fulfillment for the Degree

Of

MASTER OF SURGERY

(Ayurveda Dhanvantari)
In

SHALYA TANTRA

Under the guidance of

Dr.VENKATESH.B.A
B.S.A.M., B.A.M.S., M.D (SHALYA TANTRA)
Professor & HOD
Department of Post Graduate Studies in Shalya Tantra
Government Ayurveda Medical College, Bengaluru.

DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES IN SHALYA TANTRA


GOVERNMENT AYURVEDIC MEDICAL COLLEGE
DHANWANTARI ROAD, BANGALORE – 560009
2010-2011
Department of Post Graduate Studies in Shalya Tantra
Government Ayurvedic Medical College
Bangalore - 560009

CERTIFICATE BY THE GUIDE


This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
ON MARMA & ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND EVALUATION OF THEIR
THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE” is a bonafide research work done by
Dr. VIVEK.J in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of
M.S. (Ayurveda Dhanvantari).

Date: Dr.VENKATESH.B.A.
B.S.A.M., B.A.M.S., M.D (Shalya Tantra)
Professor & HOD
Department of P.G. Studies in Shalya Tantra
G.A.M.C., Bengaluru – 9.
DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE

I hereby declare that this dissertation entitled “A COMPREHENSIVE

STUDY ON MARMA & ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND EVALUATION OF

THEIR THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE” is a bonafide and genuine

research work carried out by me under the guidance of

Dr.Venkatesh.B.A, Professor & HOD, Dept of PG studies in Shalya

Tantra, Government Ayurvedic Medical College, Bengaluru – 9.

Date:
Place Signature of the candidate
Dr. Vivek.JB.A.M.S
Department of Post Graduate Studies in Shalya Tantra
Government Ayurvedic Medical College
Bangalore - 560009

ENDORSEMENT BY HOD, PRINCIPAL /


HEAD OF THE INSTITUTION.
This is to certify that the dissertation entitled “A COMPREHENSIVE

STUDY ON MARMA & ACUPUNCTURE POINTS AND EVALUATION OF

THEIR THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE” is a bonafide research work done by

Dr. Vivek.J in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of “AYURVEDA

DHANVANTARI” – MS (Ayurveda) in Shalya Tantra under the guidance of

Dr.Venkatesh.B.A, Prof., Dept of PG studies in Shalya Tantra. I recommend

this dissertation for the above degree to the University for Assessment

and approval.

Dr. B. A. Venkatesh Principal


Prof. & Head of the G.A.M.C Bengaluru – 9.
Department, Department of
P.G. Studies in Shalya Tantra,
G.A.M.C Bengaluru – 9.

Date: Date:
Place: Place:
COPYRIGHT

DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE

I hereby declare that the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences,

Karnataka, Bangalore, shall have the rights to preserve, use and

disseminate this dissertation in print or electronic format for Academic or

Research purpose.

Date:
Place:
Signature of the Candidate
(Dr.Vivek.J)

© Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I offer my prayers at the lotus feet of Lord Dhanvantari without whose grace this

dissertation work would not have taken shape

No work is a result of individual effort. It is contributory effort of many hearts,

hands and heads. It gives me immense pleasure to offer my sincere thanks to all those

who have rendered their wholehearted support, guidance and Co-operation in completing

my thesis work.

I find short of word to express my deepest gratitude & heartfelt thanks to my

Guru, Guide Dr.Venkatesh.B.A, Prof. & HOD, Dept. of P.G. studies in Shalya Tantra,

G. A. M. C Bengaluru for his critical suggestions, expert guidance the support extended

by him in providing all the amenities needed to complete my work in time.

I am very much thankful to Prof. Dr. R. Vijayasarathi, Prof. Dr. Ahalya, and

Asst. Prof. Dr. Shridhar M.S, Asst. Prof. Dr. Narmada for their kind co-operation,

encouragement & suggestions for my study.

I am also thankful to Dr. Mangalagi.S.G, MD (Ayu) Principal, Govt Ayurvedic

Medical College, Bangalore, for their timely help during the period of my study.

I am grateful to Dr.Harish Babu, Naturopathy Physician, SJIIM Hospital, B’lore,

Mr.Hifzulla a well known Acupuncturist, practising in Jaynagar & Mr.Sadhashiv

Datar, Laser Acupuncturist, Holistic Health Care Centre, Malleshwaram, B’lore,for their

support and guidance in carrying out this work.


My deep sense of gratification is for my parents – Sarvamangala, Late.

Y.R.Jagadeesha, brother – Sudharshan, sister in law Roopa, who are the architects of

my career to reach up to here. The culture, discipline and perseverance, which I could

imbibe, are solely because of their painstaking, upbringing and strong moral support.

My sincere thanks to the lecturers Dr. Shivu Arakeri, Dr. Shrinivas Masalekar

& Dr. Durgesh.I am highly indebted to Dr.K.Ravishankar, for analysing the data

obtained during my work & making a final picture out of the same.

In my moment of happiness I am totally indebted to my wife Dr.Kavitha.C who

has patiently borne with me ever since I joined P.G. studies till date.

I am thankful to my sister in law, brother in law & parents–in-law who have been

a source of encouragement.

At this point, it would be ungrateful if I do not recall my classmates Dr.Divya

Lakshmi, Dr. Jayanth, Dr. Jayashri Prasad, Dr. Prashanth Shetty.G, Dr.Lakshman

Shivalli, Dr. Manjunath Joshi & Dr.Lokanath Avdhani who have been egging me on

throughout the study with their valuable inputs

I am thankful to my seniors Dr.Rajeshwari, Dr.Sweta, Dr.Veena, Dr.Abhinetri

Dr.Ramya, Dr.Nadaf & Dr.Vishwanath Sharma for their timely advice.

I am thankful to Dr. Poornima, Dr.Nazira, Dr.Reshma, Dr.Aditya,

Dr.Durdundi, and Dr.Sushendra & Dr.Ravishankar for their support.


I am thankful to the librarians and staff of U.G & P.G libraries for providing the

necessary books for this work.

Lastly I am thankful to one and all who have directly or indirectly helped me in

completing my work.

Date: (Dr.Vivek.J)

Place:
ABSTRACT

Janu Sandhigata Vata or Osteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of disability

among adults. No cure for osteoarthritis currently exists. Treatment focuses on

managing the pain and dysfunction associated with the disease. Acupuncture is an

effective treatment for management of pain and physical dysfunction associated with

osteoarthritis of the knee.

Since Janusandhigata Vata manifests in Janu Marma, Suchi Vyadha (an art of

introducing delicate fine Suchi into different sensitive points in and around janu

marma with in the radius of 3 angula) is done to stimulate janu marma & in turn to

stimulate sandhi avayava’s present in it. So that it helps in relieving the pain &

promotes sandhi poshana & thus helps in early repair of dhatu kshayata & restores

normal joint integrity.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

¾ To review the literature on concepts of Marma & Traditional Chinese

Acupuncture Points.

¾ An attempt to establish the relevance of Marma Sthana with that of

Acupuncture Points.

¾ To evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Suchivyadha Chikitsa on Janu Marma in

Janu Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint).

¾ To evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture in the management of Janu

Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint).

STUDY DESIGN

A total number of 40 patients were selected randomly for the present clinical study.

These 40 patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A & Group B, each consisting of
20 patients. Patients of Group A were treated daily by Suchivyadha on Janumarma for

12 sessions & for about 30 minute duration. And patients of group B were treated

daily by Acupuncture on Acupuncture points for 12 sessions & for about 30 minute

duration.

The improvements in the Subjective Parameters and Objective parameters

were assessed by scoring method. The subjective criteria were scored in accordance

with Index of severity of Osteoarthritis of the Knee by Lequesne et al & WOMAC.

(Western Ontario & Mc Master Universities). Tenderness, Crepitus, Range of

movement of Knee, Time taken to walk 50 metres of distance & Radiological changes

are taken as objective parameters.

In Group A out of 20 patients 8 patients (40%) showed marked improvement,

6 patients (30%) showed moderate improvement & 6 patients (30%) showed mild

improvement.

In Group B out of 20 patients 10 patients (50%) showed marked improvement,

8 patients (40%) showed moderate improvement & 2 patients (10%) showed mild

improvement.

Key Words: Sandhigata Vata, Suchi Vyadha, Acupuncture.


LIST OF TABLES

Table Page
Contents
No. no.
1 Showing Shaka Marmas 12
2 Showing Udara(Koshta ) Marmas 14
3 Showing Uro Marmas 14
4 Showing Prishta Marmas 15
5 Showing Jatrurdhwa Marmas 18
6 Showing Description of Marmas According to vaghbhata Acharya 21
7 Showing Marmas in controversy on the basis of classification 23
8 Showing prognostic classifications of Marmas based upon Trigunas & 24
Panchamahabhutas.
9 Showing Acupuncture points and meridians 33
10 Showing Number of Sandhis according to different texts 59
11 Showing the sites of different Sandhis 60
12 Showing the muscles producing movements of the Knee joint 65
13 Showing the Aharaja Nidana 67
14 Showing the Viharaja Nidana 68
15 Showing the Manasika Nidana 69
16 Showing Anya Nidana 70
17 Showing the roopa of Sandhigata Vata according to different texts 74
18 Showing causes of Joint pain in patients with OA 76
19 Showing the Kellgren- Lawrence Radiographic Grading Scale 78
20 Showing the Chikitsa sutra of Sandhigata Vata according to different 85
texts
21 Showing Subjective and objective parameter 108
22 Showing the sex distribution in both the groups 114
23 Showing overall response based on Sex of the patient 114
24 Showing the age distribution in both the groups 115
25 Showing overall response based on age group. 116
26 Showing the occupation of Patients in both the groups 116
27 Showing overall response based on Occupation 117
28 Showing the religion of the patients in both the groups 117
29 Showing overall response based on Religion 118
30 Showing the socio-economic status of the patients in both 118
the groups.
31 Showing overall response based on Socio-economic Status 119
32 Showing the chronicity of the disease in both the groups 119
33 Showing overall response based on Chronicity 120
34 Showing the diet of the patients in both the groups 121
35 Showing overall response based on Diet 121
36 Showing the family history in both the groups 122
37 Showing overall response based on Family History 122
38 Showing the area involved in both the groups 123
39 Showing overall response based on Area 123
40 Showing overall response for the treatment 124
41 Showing the effect on Pain during nocturnal bed rest. 125
42 Showing the effect of pain after getting up 125
43 Showing the effect on standing for 30 min 126
44 Showing the effect on walking 126
45 Showing the effect on Morning stiffness 126
46 Showing the effect stiffness later in day. 127
47 Showing effect on swelling in joint 127
48 Showing effect on Maximum distance walked. 127
49 Showing effect on walking aid requirement. 128
50 Showing effect on able to climb up stairs. 128
51 Showing effect on able to climb down stairs. 129
52 Showing effect on able to squat. 129
53 Showing effect on able to walk on uneven. 130
54 Showing effect on Getting in/ out of car. 130
55 Showing effect on putting on/ off socks. 130
56 Showing effect on tenderness. 131
57 Showing effect on crepetus. 131
58 Showing effect on Measurement of Rt knee. 131
59 Showing effect on Measurement of Lt knee. 132
60 Showing effect on Movement of Rt knee. 132
61 Showing effect on Movement of Lt knee. 132
62 Showing effect on time taken to walk 50m distance. 133
63 Showing effect on Radiological changes. 133
64 Showing effect on pain during nocturnal bed rest. 133
65 Showing effect on pain after getting up. 134
66 Showing effect on pain on standing for 30min. 134
67 Showing effect on walking. 134
68 Showing effect on morning stiffness. 135
69 Showing effect on stiffness later in day. 135
70 Showing effect on swelling in joint. 135
71 Showing effect on Maximum distance walked. 136
72 Showing effect on walking aid requirement. 136
73 Showing effect on Able to climb up stairs. 137
74 Showing effect on Able to climb down stairs. 137
75 Showing effect on squat. 137
76 Showing effect on walk on uneven 138
77 Showing effect on getting in/ out of car. 138
78 Showing effect on putting on/ off socks. 138
79 Showing effect on Tenderness 139
80 Showing effect on Crepetus. 139
81 Showing effect on Measurement of Rt knee. 139
82 Showing effect on Measurement of Lt knee. 140
83 Showing effect on Range of movement of Rt knee. 140
84 Showing effect on range of movement of Lt knee. 140
85 Showing effect on time taken to walk 50m distance. 141
86 Showing effect on radiological changes 141
87 Showing Results on Comparison of Group A and Group B 142
LIST OF GRAPHS

Graph Page
Title
No. No.

1 Showing sex distribution in both the groups. 103

2 Showing age distribution in both the groups 104

3 Showing occupation of the patients in both the groups 105

4 Showing religion of patients in both the groups 106

5 Showing socio-economic status in both the groups 107

6 Showing chronicity of the disease in both the groups 108

7 Showing diet of the patients in both the groups 109

8 Showing family history of patients 110

9 Showing means of Pain after getting up, pain on walking and morning 130
stiffness in Group A
10 Showing the means of swelling, tenderness and crepitus in group A 130

11 Showing means of Pain after getting up, pain on walking in Group B 131

12 Showing means of morning stiffness and stiffness later in day in Group B 131

13 Showing means of swelling, tenderness and Crepitus in Group B 131


LIST OF FIGURES

Sl. Contents Page


No No.
1 Marma on Anterior Surface 13
2 Marma on Posterior Surface 16
3 Marmas of Axilla & Elbow 18
4 Marmas of Ventral Surface of 20
Foot
5 Meridians & Acupuncture Points 32
6 Meridians of Lower Limb 33
7 Lung Meridian 33
8 Stomach Channel 34
9 Twenty Gunas & Relationship 44
With Yin & Yang
10 Anterior View of Marma & 49
Acupuncture Point
11 Posterior View of Marma & 50
Acupuncture Point
12 Lateral View of Marma & 51
Acupuncture Point
CONTENTS

SL. PAGE
CHAPTER
NO NO.
1 INTRODUCTION 1-3
2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
a) MARMA REVIEW 4-24
b) REVIEW OF ACUPUNTURE 25-37
COMPARISION OF ACUPUNTURE
c) 38-52
& AYURVEDA
d) DISEASE REVIEW 53-80
e) PROCEDUREREVIEW 81-85
f) REVIEW OF ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLE 86-93
3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 94-102
4 OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS 103-131
5 DISCUSSION 132-141
6 CONCLUSION 142-143
7 SUMMARY 144-145
8 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 146-149
ANNEXURE
9 ---
ABBEREVIATIONS

Ad: Arunadatta AH: Ashtanga Hridaya


Api: Ayurvedic Pharmacoepia of India Apte: Sanskrit English
AS: Ashtanga Sangraha Dictionary by Apte
AV. Atharva Veda
BH: Bhela Samhita BP: Bhavaprakasha
Bpn: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu BR: Bhaishajya Ratnavali
CA: Charaka Samhita
CD: Chakradatta Ch: Chikitsa Sthana
Cha: Chaurasia, Human Anatomy Cak: Chakrapani
Dal: Dalhana DVD: Davidson’s Internal Medicine
Gay: Gayadasa GS: Gheranda Samhita
gud. Var: Guduchyadi Varga HA: Harita Samhita
HM: Harsh Mohan’s pathology HAR: Harrison’s Internal Medicine
har.Var: Haritakyadi Varga Hem: Hemadri
Ka: Kalpa Sthana Khi: Khila Sthana
KS: Kashyapa Samhita MN: Madhava Nidana
Nad: Nadkarni’s Indian Materia Medica Ni: Nidana Sthana
OA: Osteoarthritis P.K: Poorva Khanda
pg.no. Page Number Par: Paribhasha Prakarana
SH: Sharangdhara Samhita Sha: Shareera Sthana
Si: Siddhi Sthana SKD: Shabda Kalpa Druma
SMW: Monnier Williams Dictionary SU: Sushrutha Samhita
Su: Sutra Sthana Va. Vya.: Vata Vyadhi Chikitsa
VC: Vachaspatyam vol: Volume
YR: Yogaratnakara WD: Webers Medical Dictionary
Introduction
 

 SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION

Marma is one of the unique & important topics discussed in Ayurveda. It plays

an important role in surgery. Hence it is rightly called as Shalya Vishayardha. The

Marma Chikitsa has evolved as a special branch of treatment extensively practiced in

most parts of Kerala. Many of the basic concepts of Marma in Ayurveda &

Acupuncture point in Chinese system of medicine have a close relevancy.

We get many references of major surgeries being carried out by Sushrutha in

our classics by administering sura or madira. But it seems that there was some kind of

Bandha or Pressure being applied over Marma Sthana which is a seat of prana to

create anaesthetic or analgesic effect for performing surgeries. In present days we see

same kind of analgesic or anaesthetic effect being done by acupuncturists for

performing some minor surgeries & to treat many of chronic ailments.

If we go back to the Indian medical classics, known as the Vedas, said to be

written about 7000 years ago, we find "needle therapy" [Suchi karma] mentioned

there. One volume of the Vedas, known as the “Suchi Veda”, translated as the "art of

piercing with a needle" was written about 3000 years ago and deals entirely with

acupuncture. Unfortunately this text is not available today. During ancient period,

bamboo or wooden Suchi – needles were used for acupuncture. Sushrutha has

mentioned the art of acupuncture under Vyadhana or Bhedhana Karma (Bhedhana

means to pierce or to cut). During ancient time needles made up of wood were used,

later on various metal needles were used for this purpose. Sushruta in Sharira sthana 8

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore.    1 
 
Introduction
 

‘Siravyadha’ has advised puncturing the channels (sira) by using needles, which are as

small as ‘vrihi’ (vrihi is the outer cover of the rice grain which is pointed at both ends.

The Indians have the knowledge of both body acupuncture and ear acupuncture. Thus

in India, an entire system of treating every type of disease by the ear alone was [also]

developed! Some scholars believe that acupuncture probably evolved in prehistoric

times out of the modifications of the principles of Ayurveda near the snowy bleaks of

the Himalayas, where no herbs were available.

... In fact, this knowledge has already got passed to the nearby countries around India

mainly during ‘Buddha’ period and got stored as in cold storage. It is not a

coincidence that almost all Buddhist countries have this knowledge and it is the Indian

fortune that the origin of this knowledge [of acupuncture] is from India (But rather

unfortunate that not many people in India know this and appreciate this fact as we sure

have a 'tradition' of forgetting our traditions! and sciences be it mantric or Vedic.

So a comprehensive study on classical concept of Marma & Traditional

Chinese Acupuncture Point is carried out to evaluate its role in inducing analgesic

effect. In this present study Suchi Vyadha & Acupuncture on two different groups are

done over patients suffering from Janu Sandhigata Vata (Osteo Arthritis of Knee) to

evaluate its Analgesic effect.

Though the concept of Marma is well described in our classics, its importance

in therapeutic aspect (other than Viddha Lakshana) is neither mentioned nor used.

(I.e. Marma Sthana is not used to cure disease or to relieve pain). They only say that,

Marma Sthana, a very vital point, should not be injured & should be kept intact even

while doing surgeries. In this present study, a first of its kind, an attempt is made to

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore.    2 
 
Introduction
 

manipulate or stimulate Marma Sthana to obtain desired therapeutic effect. In coming

days this idea may form basis in curing innumerable disease just by manipulating or

stimulating Marma Sthana, which is a seat of prana or life.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

¾ To review the literature on concepts of Marma & Traditional Chinese

Acupuncture Points.

¾ An attempt to establish the relevance of Marma Sthana with that of

Acupuncture Points.

¾ To evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Suchivyadha Chikitsa on Janu Marma in

Janu Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint).

¾ To evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture in the management of Janu

Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint).

HYPOTHESIS:

¾ H0: there is no difference in efficacy of group A and group B treatments.

¾ H1: there is difference in efficacy of group A and group B treatments.

PREVIOUS WORK DONE

 
A Clinical Study on Siravyadhana (Acupuncture) & role of Acupuncture in

Tamaka Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma).By, Dr. Shinde.J in 1997 from Dept. of Shalya,

Govt. College, Nagpur.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore.    3 
 
Review of Marma
 
MARMA REVIEW

Marma is not a new term as far as Indians are Concerned. It figures from Atharva
vedic times to recent literature. The references of Marmas are also seen in the
independent Tamil Medical Textual.

If we go through the Sanskrit Lexicans namely Vachaspathya, Shabdha


Kalpadrumam etc. we can see that the word Marma is used in three different
meanings. They are;

1. Swarupa
2. Tatwa
3. Jeevasthana

As far as Ayurvedic literature is concerned the term Marma is used as Jeevasthana.  

HISTORICAL VIEW18(p.1‐2) 

Marma science is part of Vedic science. Naturally it has influenced all other sciences

which we find in Vedas like Yoga, Ayurveda, Dance, Music, Mantra, Marital arts,

Astrology, Philosophy, Siddha system of medicine and sexology. Therefore we must

study its historical background.

The development of this science took place from Saraswati culture to the time period

of Charaka, Sushruta, Ashtang hridaya and Ashtang sangraha and later on Buddha

religion was responsible for its spread in the neighbouring Countries like China and

Japan.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 4 
 
Review of Marma
 

Marma in War

The origin can be traced to Saraswati Culture or Indus Valley Civilization. It is known

from various excavations at Harrappa and Mohen-jo-daro that people in this culture

were using various types of weapons in war.

In Vedic period also people were using different weapons like axes, spears, daggers,

maces, bows and arrows. These were made of copper or bronze. For defensive

purpose they were using body shields. Knowledge of Marma exists from very ancient

time of Vedas, which dates back 4000 BC. The fist reference is found in Rig-Veda

.There is reference of words like Varman and drapi, which is some kind of body

armor or corselet to protect the body from the assault of enemy weapons. In Atharva-

Veda also we find the reference of the term kavacha or corselet or breast-plate for the

protection.

In Mahabharata the great epic also we find many reference for Marma or Varman. (

Karnaparva 19.31, Shalyaparva 32.63 and 36.64, Dronaparva 125.17, Bhishmaparva

95.47, Virataparva 31.12 and 15). It is interesting that there are references of

protective clothings of the Marmas of elephants and horses also.

Arthashastra of Kautilya mentions the use of arrowheads made up of metal and some

protective instruments against the injury to marmas.

Marma and Marital arts

Ahimsa or non-violence was taught by this religion. Monks were not allowed to use

weapons even for their self-protection.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 5 
 
Review of Marma
 
Milindapanha text, which is a dialogue between King Milinda and Monk Nagasena,

explains that unarmed self defense was taught as a part of 19 arts. This science was

essential when Buddha religion started spreading beyond the boundaries of India into

neighboring countries like China, Indonesia and Thailand etc. This art became

effective and popular because the monks were able to protect themselves against

weapons.

In the Hohan province of China a special monastery was built to accommodate monks

travelling from India to China. This was built around 300 AD and was called Shaolian

Temple which later on became famous place for teaching martial arts based on marma

– or vital parts described in Ayurveda. This art was kept as secret for centuries, as it

was taught only to certain disciples.

As the monks started travelling to various countries like Japan, Indochina etc. This art

also spread to these countries. It is therefore very certain that the Traditional Chinese

Medicine had adopted this science from Ayurveda. Hence we do come across with

various references in marital art like Karate.

Marma and Yoga

From the excavations done at the site of Mohen-jo-daro, we find some interesting

figures which shows that the concept of marma was applied for enriching the Yoga

practice.

Marma and Sex

It is evident in Siddha system, that science of vital points has been used to increase

the vigour, strength for enjoyment.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 6 
 
Review of Marma
 
Marma and Astrology

Siddha system also refers to certain vital points and the effects of phases of moon and

other planets on the human body.

Nirukti:

The word Marma comes from Sanskrit origin ‘mru’ or ‘marr’.”Marayate iti

marma”, the Sanskrit phrase means likelihood of death after infliction to these places

hence they are called Marma. The word Marma used with meanings as tender, secret

or vital places.

Word Meaning:

Tatwam – Shabdakalpadruma (Sdk)

“Mru + Mannin – Marma”

‘Ma’ – prana vayu

‘Re’ – seat of prana

Marma – “mring” (marane) - (A. hri. Ad Commentary)3

M.Monier Williams in his Sanskrit English dictionary gives ten meanings for Marma

they are –

• Martial sport.

• Vulnerable point.

• Any open, exposed, weak or sensitive part of the body.

• Joint of a limb, any joint or articulation.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 7 
 
Review of Marma
 
• Core of anything.

• Any vital member or organ.

• Anything which requires to be kept concealed.

• Secret in quality.

• Hidden meaning.

• Any secret or mystery

Definitions of Marmas:

There are several classical Ayurvedic definitions of Marmas. From these we

can see that Marmas are related to the energies of the body, mind, Prana and doshas.

They are key connecting points to all aspects of our energies from the inner most

consciousness to the outermost physical organs.

¾
Marmas are the sites where muscle, veins, ligaments, bones and joints meet

together, though all these structures need not be present at each Marma. This

explains Marmas as important connection centers or crossroads in the physical

body. 1 (vÉÉ 6/15, pg. no. 371 pp. 734)

¾
Marmas are sites where important nerves come together along with related

structures like muscles and tendons, a similar definition to that of Charaka. He

says that sites which are painful, tender and show abnormal pulsation should also

be considered as Marma or vital points regardless of their anatomical structure1.


(zÉÉ.6/18)

¾ They are the seats of ‘life’ or Prana, means that any sensitive point on the body is

a potential Marma1.

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¾ Marmas are places where the three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) are present

along with their subtle forms as Prana, Tejas and Ojas and the three gunas of

sattva, rajas and tamas. This means that Marmas control not only the outward

from of the doshas,but their inward essences or master forms as well (Prana, Tejas

and Ojas) and also the mind (satva)1.

¾ Marmas are said to be supportive pillars of life, as any trauma to them leads to

death or deformity. Hence they are called “Jeevanadhara”2.

¾ Any trauma to Marma, results in death or miseries equal to death1.


( vÉÉ. 6/40, pg. no. 376 pp. 734).

¾ Sushruta has mentioned Marma, as the seat of Prana, Tridoshas and Triguna.

Well-being and illness of the body depends upon homeostasis of Tridoshas. So

any injury to Marma causes derangement of all this factors. Sequels depend on the

specific factors involved. Any injury to Marma, result in psychosomatic

disturbances.1

¾ According to Sushruta 4 types of siras carrying Vata, Pitta, Kapha and Rakta take

part in the formation of Marma sthana, apart from the anatomical structures1.

Composition of Marmas:

Marmas are classified according to their dominant physical constituents as

muscle, vessel, ligament, joint, or bone – based regions.

Mamsa Marmas are related to muscle – based structures like fascia, serous

membranes, sheaths and muscles.

Sira Marmas – related to various vessels or channels supplying energy or

fluids to the body, particularly the blood and lymphatic vessels, Sushruta explains

four types of these vessels.


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• Vatavaha Sira

• Pittavaha Sira

• Kaphavaha Sira

• Raktavaha Sira

Channels carrying the doshas are more energetic than anatomical in ones basis and

so anatomical correlations are only general. Sushruta notes that no single vessel

carries Vata, Pitta or Kapha alone.

ƒ Snayu Marmas – related to the tissues and structures that bind the bones and

muscles and aponeuroses.

ƒ Asti Marmas – related to bony tissue, can be classified into bones proper,

cartilages, teeth and nails.

ƒ Sandhi Marmas – related to the joints, are important sensitive regions on the

body for both Prana and the doshas. Joints are classified into movable,

partially movable and non – movable. These can be complex or large Marmas.

The knowledge of Marma has got wide implication in the many fields of medical

practice, but as today its traditional practices are limited and scattered in India. The

knowledge of Marma can be classified in following fields:

– In martial art and warfare, in surgical importance

– in the management of disease and in the diagnosis of illness, in

medical importance

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As a surgeon, Acharya Sushruta stressed the importance of Marmas in surgical

practice and stated in any surgical procedure knowledge of Marmas is as essential as

the knowledge of the nerves, muscles, bones and blood vessels.

Size of Marmas and individual Finger Unit (Anguli pramana):

Marmas are located and measured in size in terms of ‘Anguli pramana’ or the

‘finger unit’ of the respective individual. To determine this follow these instructions:

ƒ Join both open palms at ulnar (little finger) side.

ƒ Measure the width of both palms at metacarpo - phalangial joints (base of the

fingers).

ƒ Divide this by 8 (as this width is average for 8 fingers).

ƒ This is individual finger unit.

There are 107 Marmas in the human body Marmas are classified according to

regional, structural, prognostic, dimensional and numerical criteria. Sushruta and

Vagbhata have a surgical approach.

Sushruta and Vagbhata have detailed about 37 Marmas in the Shiras, whereas

Charaka consider it as a single unit. Considering the importance of Basthi, Hridaya

and Shiras, Charaka has emphatically mentioned about these 3 Marmas in the

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‘Trimarmeeya adhyaya’.

Table No. 01: Showing Shaka Marmas:

Marma Sthana Ashraya Anatomical Parinama/Viddha Pra Sank


synonym Lakshana man hya
a

Talahrudaya In the middle of Mamsa Palmar Kalanthara pranahara- ½ 4


palmar or plantar aponeurosis Death due to severe
aspect in line of the pain
middle toe

Kshipra In b/n the thumb & Snayu 1st intermeta-tarsal Kalanthara pranahara- ½ 4
index finger or in b/n ligament Death due to
big toe & 1st toe convulsions

Kurcha Two angulas above Snayu Tarsometa- Vaikalyakara-Inability 4 4


the Kshipra tarsal & to move & rotate the
Intertarsal foot &hand
ligament

Kurchasira Below the Gulpha Snayu Lateral ligament Rujakara-Causes 1 4


Sandhi (Ankle Joint) of ankle Shopha & Ruja

Gulpha At the junction of Sandhi Ankle joint Rujakara-Causes pain, 2 2


foot & calf stiffness & inability to
perform activities

Manibandha At the Junction of Sandhi Wrist joint Rujakara-Causes pain, 2 2


hand & forearm stiffness & inability to
perform activities

Indravasti Between the Janghas Mamsa Cubital fossa Kalanthara pranahara- ½ 4


Death due to severe
loss of blood

Janu At the joint of Uru & Sandhi Knee joint Vaikalyakara-Produces 3 2


Jangha Lamness

Koorparam At the junction of Sandhi Elbow joint Vaikalyakara- 3 2


upper arm & forearm Distortion of arm

Ani Three angulas above Snayu Biceps tendon Vaikalyakara-Increased ½ 4


on either side of Janu swelling & stiffness
& Koorpara

Urvi In the middle of the Sira Femoral vessels Vaikalyakara-Causes 1 4


thigh & arm Emaciation of leg due
to Haemorrhage

Lohitaksha At the root of thigh Sira Femoral vessels Vaikalyakara-Paralysis ½ 4


above the Urvi below of extremity due to
the angle of groin haemorrhage

Vitapa Between the Scrotum Snayu Inguinal canal Vaikalyakara-Causes 1 2


& Groin Impotency

Kaksha Between the axilla & Snayu Axilla Vaikalyakara- 1 2


collar bone Distortion of the Upper

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Limb

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FIG.1 MARMAS OF ANTERIOR SURFACE

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Table No. 02: Showing Udara(Koshta ?) Marmas:
Anatomical Parinama or Pram Sank
Marma Sthana Asraya structure Viddha Lakshana ana hya
involved
Guda Attached to Mamsa Anal canal, anus Sadhyo pranahara- 4 1
sthoolantra which Causes immediate
expels flatus & death or death with
faeces in seven days
Vasti Located inside the Snayu Urinary bladder Sadhyo pranahara- 4 1
true pelvis with one Causes immediate
orifice pointed death or death with
downwards in seven days
Nabi In b/n the large Sira Umbilicus Sadhyo pranahara- 4 1
intestine & Causes immediate
stomach. Which is death or death with
the seat of all siras in seven days

Table No.03: Showing Uro Marmas:


Marma Sthana Asraya Anatomical Parinama or Pram Sank
structure Viddha Lakshana ana hya
involved
Hridaya In b/n the Sira Heart Sadhyo pranahara- 4 1
breasts, in b/n Causes immediate
the uras & kosta death or death within
& at Amasaya seven days
Dwaram
Sthanarohit Two angula Mamsa Lower portion Kalanthara ½ 2
a above the of pectoralis pranahara-Causes
breast major muscle death due to Raktha
poorna kosta
Sthanamoo Two angula Sira Internal Kalanthara 2 2
la below the breast mammary pranahara-Causes
vessels death due to Kapha
poorna kosta
Apasthamb Parshwabhaga of Sira Two bronchi Kalanthara ½ 2
a Uras pranahara-Causes
death due to Rakta
poorna kosta
Apalapa Below the Sira Lateral Kalanthara ½ 2
Amsakoota, in thoracic and pranahara-Injury
b/n the prista sub scapular creates Raktapoorna
vamsa & uras vessels kosta & death due to
Rakta poornakostata
transforming to
pooyakosta

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Table No. 04: Showing Prishta Marmas:
 
Marma Sthana Asray Anatomical Parinama/ Pra San
a structure Viddha Lakshana man khy
involved a a
Katikatharu On either side of Asthi Sciatic Kalanthara ½ 2
na Prista Vamsa & notch pranahara-Death
located on Sronikarna occurs due to severe
(Ear like bones of Raktha
pelvis & above the Kshaya(Pandu)
buttocks)
Kukundara Both sides of Sandh Ischial Vaikalyakara- ½ 2
Kadeepradesha a i tuberosity Causes loss of
hollow situated on movement & loss of
both sides of prista sensation in the
vamsa & in the region lower part of the
slightly below the body
waist. On either sides
of the vertebral
column, on two
meeting places out
side the buttocks
Nithamba Above the sronikarna Asthi Ala of ilium Kalanthara ½ 2
on both sides of prista pranahara-Injury
vamsa causes Adhakaya
Shopha, debility &
death
Parsvasand In b/n Jaghana & Sira Common Kalanthara ½ 2
hi Parshwa iliac vessels pranahara-Death
due to Raktapoorna
kosta
Bruhathi On either side of the Sira Subscapular Kalanthara ½ 2
Vertebral column & in and pranahara-Death
straight line with transverse due to severe Rakta
sthanamoola marma cervical Kshaya
arteries
Amsaphala On either side of the Asthi Spine Vaikalyakara- ½ 2
ka Vertebral column at of Causes Bahu Swapa
the Bahumoola scapul & Bahu Shosha
a
Amsa On either side of the Snayu Coraco and Vaikalyakara-Loss ½ 2
neck gleno of function of Bahu
humeral
ligament,
trapezius
muscle
 

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FIG.2 MARMAS OF POSTERIOR SURFACE

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Table No. 05: Showing Jatrurdhwa Marmas:


Marma Sthana Asraya Anatomical Parinama or Pram San
structure Viddha Lakshana ana khya
involved
Neela On either side of the Sira Blood vessels Vaikalyakara-Causes 4 2
Kanda Nalee near Hanu of neck Swara Vaikritha
Pradesha
Manya On both side of Sira Blood vessels Vaikalyakara-Loss of 4 2
Kandanalee near Hanu of neck Rasagrahana Shakthi
Pradesha
Mathruka On both side of Sira Blood vessels Sadhyo pranahara-Causes 4 8
Kandanalee in relation to of neck immediate death
Jihwa & Nasa
Krukatika At the Shirogreeva Sandhi Atlanto- Vaikalyakara-Loss of ½ 2
Sandhi occipital stability of sira (Head)
articulaion
Vidhura Below the back of the Snayu Olfactory Vaikalyakara-Loss of ½ 2
ears region of Hearing
nose
Phana On both sides of Sira Olfactory Vaikalyakara-Loss of ½ 2
Grhanamarga nerves sensation of smell
Apanga At the outer angle of the Sira Zygomatic- Vaikalyakara-Causes ½ 2
eye, at the tail end of the temporal blindness
eye brows & below the vessels
eye brows
Avartha In the depression above Sandhi Junction of Vaikalyakara-Causes ½ 2
the eye brow frontal, molar blindness
and sphenoid
Shankha Adjoining the ears Asthi Temples Sadhya pranahara-Causes ½ 2
located as forehead Immediate Death
Uthkshepa Above the shankha Snayu Temporal Vishalyaghna-Person can ½ 2
m marma at the lower muscle and live with the Shalya intact
border of kesha fascia or when it falls after
paka. But the removal of
Shalya causes immediate
death
Sthapani In b/n the eye brows Sira Nasal arch of Visalyaghna ½ 1
the frontal -do-
vein
Sringataka On the samagama sthana Sira Cavernous Sadhya Pranahara-Causes 4 4
of Jihwa, Akshi, Nasika, and immediate death
Karna & Talu intercavernou
s sinuses
Seemantha Five sutures of Sandhi Cranial Kalanthara pranahara- 4 5
Kapalasthi sutures Death due to
Brama,Unmada &
Manonasha
Adhipathi Inside the head on the Sandhi Bregma Sadhya pranahara-Causes ½ 1
sira Sandhi pradesha immediate death

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FIG.3 MARMAS OF AXILLA & ELBOW

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Table No. 06: Showing Description of Marmas According to vaghbhata Acharya:
 

San Marmas included in this group Viddha Lakshana


Name of the khya
group
Mamsa Marma 10 Indravasthy, Thalahrith, Continuous bleeding,blood
Sthanarohitha resembles the water in which meat
has been washed & more over the
blood is thin, pandu, loss function
of sense organs, causes immediate
death
Asthi Marma 08 Kateekataruna, Nithamba, Discharge of clear fluid mixed with
Amsaphalaka, Shankha majja & associated with
intermittent pain
Snayu Marma 23 Koorcha, Koorchasira, Kshipra, Ayama, Akshepaka, Sthamba,
Ani, Vasthi, Amsa, Apanga, severe pain and inability to ride, sit
Utkshepa etc, distortions or even death
Dhamanee 09 Guda, Apasthamba, Vithura, The blood which is frothy and
Sringataka warm flows out with sound &
Marma
person become unconsious
Sira Marma 37 Urvi, Lohithaksha, Vidapa, Blood which is thick flows out
Kakshadhara, Nabhi, Hrith continuous & in large quantity,
Sthanamoola, Apalapa, Neela, which leads to Trit, Bhrama,
Manya, Mathruka, Phana, Shwasa, Moha, Hidhma & even
Sthapani, Parshwa Sandhi, death
Brihathi
Sandhi Marma 20 Gulpha, Janu, Manibandha, The site of injury feels as though
Koorpara, Krikatika, Kukundara, full of thorns, even after healing of
Avatha, Seemantha, Adipa the wound there is shortening of
arm, lameness decrease of strength
& movement, emaciation of body
and swelling of the joint

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FIG.4 MARMAS OF VENTRAL SURFACE OF FOOT

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Table No. 07: Showing Marmas in controversy on the basis of classification:
 

Name of Marma According to Vagbhata According to Sushrutha

Guda Dhamanee Marma Mamsa Marma


Kakshadhara Sira Marma Snayu Marma
Vidhura Dhamanee Marma Snayu Marma
Vitapa Sira Marma Snayu Marma
Sringataka Dhamanee Marma Sira Marma
Apasthambha Dhamanee Marma Sira Marma
Apanga Snayu Marma Sira Marma

Susruthacharya has given much importance to the prognostic classification and

has explained it on the basis of Panchamahabhutas. Predominance of all the five

constituents - Mamsa, Asthi, Snayu, Sira and Sandhi – makes it a Sadyapranahara

Marma, absence of one of them or presence in less proportion will make it naturally

belong to other kinds in respective order - Kalantarapranahara, Visalyaghnam,

Vaikalyakara and Rujakara marma.

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Table No. 08: Showing prognostic classifications of Marmas based upon Trigunas
& Panchamahabhutas.1

Prognostic No Marmas Included Trigunas Bhutas Prognosis/Viddha


classification Lakshana

Sadyapranah 19 Nabhi, Shanka, Rajas &   Agni Immediate death within 7


ara Adhipathi, Apana, Satva days.
Hridaya, Sringataka,
Mathruka & vasthi When injured there will be
sudden Depletion of Agni
Guna

Kalantarapra 33 Apasthamba, Rajas & Agni + Death within 14 days of


nahara Talahrith, Parshwa Thamas Jala injury.
Sandhi, Kateeka When injured there will be
Taruna, Seemantha, sudden Depletion of Agni
Sthanamoola, Guna followed by gradual
Indravasthy, depletion of somaguna
Kshipra, Apalapa,
Brihathi, Nithamba,
Sthana Rohita

Visalyaghna 03 Utkshepa, Sthapani Rajas Vayu Vayu escapes when shalya is


removed and result in death.
Vayu, Mamsa, Vasa, Majja
& Masthulunga gets dried
up, shwasa, kasa develops &
destroys the life of person
Sthirathvam & shaithyam of
Vaikalyakara 44 Phana, Apanga, Thamas Soma soma guna result in prana-
Vidura, Neela, valambanam and results in
Manya, Krikatika, deformity.
Amsa, Amsaphala,
Avartha, Vitapa, After injury here Soma Guna
Urvi Kukundara, supports Prana by sheeta &
Janu, Lohithaksha, sthira gunas
Ani, Kakshadhara,
Koorcha &
Koorpara

Rujakara 08 Koorchasira, Rajo Agni + Any injury results in pain


Gulpha & bahulya Vayu
Manibandha (Agni is Ashukari & Vayu
produces pain)

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Classification of Marmas according to their viddha laxanas1:

Marmas are also classified according to five types relative to their degree of

vulnerability.

9 Sadya Pranahara – immediate death causing

9 Kalantara Pranahara – long term death causing

9 Vishalyaghna – fatal if pierced

9 Vaikalyakara – disability causing

9 Rujakara – pain causing

Marmaviddha Lakshana1:

• Deha prasupti - giddiness

• Guruta – heaviness of body

• Sammoha - delirium

• Sheeta kaamita – longing for cold items

• Sweda - excessive sweting

• Moorcha - unconcious

• Vamana - vomitting

• Shwasa – dyspnoea (vÉÉ 7/47, pg. no. 323 pp. 965)

Samprapthi of marmabhigata:

Marma abighata

Vata prakopa

Causes severe ruja

Severe injury causes either deformity or death.

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Chikitsa:

ƒ Lakshanika chikitsa according to marma viddha lakshanas.

ƒ Vata vyadhi chikitsa

ƒ Judicial selection of Shasti upakrama, for vranopachara.

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Acupuncture (from Latin ‘Acus’ means ‘Needle’ & ‘Pungere’ means ‘To Prick’)

refers to a technique of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific

points on the body with the aim of relieving pain and for the therapeutic purposes.

According to traditional Chinese acupuncture theory, these acupuncture points lies

along the Meridians, which ‘Qi’, the vital energy flows.The earliest written record of

acupuncture is the Chinese text Shiji (史記, English: Records of the Grand Historian)

with elaboration of its history in the second century BC medical text Huangdi Neijing

(黃帝內經, English: Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon). Different variations of

acupuncture are practiced and taught throughout the world.

History

Antiquity

Acupuncture's origins in China are uncertain. One explanation is that some soldiers

wounded in battle by arrows were cured of chronic afflictions that were otherwise

untreated, and there are variations on this idea. In China, the practice of acupuncture

can perhaps be traced as far back as the Stone Age, with the Bian shi, or sharpened

stones. In 1963 a bian stone was found in Duolun County, Inner Mongolia, China

pushing the origins of acupuncture into the Neolithic age. There are evidences of

needles made of fish bone and stone found in Korea, dating approximately to 3000

BC. Hieroglyphs and pictographs have been found dating from the Shang Dynasty

(1600-1100 BC) which suggest that acupuncture was practiced along with

moxibustion.

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Despite improvements in metallurgy over centuries, it was not until the 2nd century

BC during the Han Dynasty that stone and bone needles were replaced with metal.

The earliest records of acupuncture is in the Shiji (史記, in English, Records of the

Grand Historian) with references in later medical texts that are equivocal, but could

be interpreted as discussing acupuncture. The earliest Chinese medical text to describe

acupuncture is the Huangdi Neijing, the legendary Yellow Emperor's Classic of

Internal Medicine (History of Acupuncture) which was compiled around 305–204

B.C.  

The Huangdi Neijing does not distinguish between acupuncture and moxibustion and

gives the same indication for both treatments. The Mawangdui texts, which also date

from the second century BC (though antedating both the Shiji and Huangdi Neijing),

mention the use of pointed stones to open abscesses, and moxibustion but not

acupuncture. However, by the second century BC, acupuncture replaced moxibustion

as the primary treatment of systemic conditions.

In Europe, examinations of the 5,000-year-old mummified body of Ötzi the Iceman

have identified 15 groups of tattoos on his body, some of which are located on what

are now seen as contemporary acupuncture points. This has been cited as evidence

that practices similar to acupuncture may have been practiced elsewhere in Eurasia

during the early Bronze Age.

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Middle history

Around ninety works on acupuncture were written in China between the Han Dynasty

and the Song Dynasty, and the Emperor Renzong of Song, in 1023, ordered the

production of a bronze statuette depicting the meridians and acupuncture points then

in use. However, after the end of the Song Dynasty, acupuncture and its practitioners

began to be seen as a technical rather than scholarly profession. It became rarer in the

succeeding centuries, supplanted by medications and became associated with the less

prestigious practices of shamanism, midwifery and moxibustion.

Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century were among the first to bring reports of

acupuncture to the West. Jacob de Bondt, a Danish surgeon travelling in Asia,

described the practice in both Japan and Java. However, in China itself the practice

was increasingly associated with the lower-classes and illiterate practitioners.

The first European text on acupuncture was written by Willem ten Rhijne, a Dutch

physician who studied the practice for two years in Japan. It consisted of an essay in a

1683 medical text on arthritis; Europeans were also at the time becoming more

interested in moxibustion, which ten Rhijne also wrote about. In 1757 the physician

Xu Daqun described the further decline of acupuncture, saying it was a lost art, with

few experts to instruct; its decline was attributed in part to the popularity of

prescriptions and medications, as well as its association with the lower classes.

In 1822, an edict from the Chinese Emperor banned the practice and teaching of

acupuncture within the Imperial Academy of Medicine outright, as unfit for practice

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by gentlemen-scholars. At this point, acupuncture was still cited in Europe with both

skepticism and praise, with little study and only a small amount of experimentation.

Modern era

In the early years after the Chinese Civil War, Chinese Communist Party leaders

ridiculed traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, as superstitious,

irrational and backward, claiming that it conflicted with the Party's dedication to

science as the way of progress. Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong later

reversed this position, saying that "Chinese medicine and pharmacology is a great

treasure house and efforts should be made to explore them and raise them to a higher

level."

Acupuncture gained attention in the United States when President Richard Nixon

visited China in 1972. During one part of the visit, the delegation was shown a patient

undergoing major surgery while fully awake, ostensibly receiving acupuncture rather

than anaesthesia. Later it was found that the patients selected for the surgery had both

a high pain tolerance and received heavy indoctrination before the operation; these

demonstration cases were also frequently receiving morphine surreptitiously through

an intravenous drip that observers were told contained only fluids and nutrients.

The greatest exposure in the West came when New York Times reporter James

Reston, who accompanied Nixon during the visit, received acupuncture in China for

post-operative pain after undergoing an emergency appendectomy under standard

anaesthesia. Reston was so impressed with the pain relief he experienced from the

procedure that he wrote about acupuncture in The New York Times upon returning to

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Review of Acupuncture
 
the United States. In 1973 the American Internal Revenue Service allowed

acupuncture to be deducted as a medical expense.

Traditional theory

Needles being inserted into a patient's skin.

Traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on a pre-scientific paradigm of

medicine that developed over several thousand years and involves concepts that have

no counterpart within contemporary medicine. In TCM, the body is treated as a whole

that is composed of several "systems of function" known as the zang-fu (脏腑). These

systems are named after specific organs, though the systems and organs are not

directly associated.

The zang systems are associated with the solid, yin organs such as the liver while the

fu systems are associated with the hollow yang organs such as the intestines. Health is

explained as a state of balance between the yin and yang, with disease ascribed to

either of these forces being unbalanced, blocked or stagnant.

The yang force is the immaterial qi, a concept that is roughly translated as "vital

energy". The yin counterpart is Blood, which is linked to but not identical with

physical blood, and capitalized to distinguish the two. TCM uses a variety of
A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of
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Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 29 
 
Review of Acupuncture
 
interventions, including pressure, heat and acupuncture applied to the body's

acupuncture points (in Chinese 穴 or xue meaning "cavities") to modify the activity of

the zang-fu.

Table No. 09: Showing Acupuncture points and meridians:

  Flow of qi through the meridians


Zang-fu Aspect Hours
Lung taiyin 0300-0500
Large Intestine yangming 0500-0700
Stomach yangming 0700-0900
Spleen taiyin 0900-1100
Heart shaoyin 1100–1300
Small Intestine taiyang 1300–1500
Bladder taiyang 1500–1700
Kidney shaoyin 1700–1900
Pericardium jueyin 1900–2100
San Jiao shaoyang 2100–2300
Gallbladder shaoyang 2300-0100
Liver jueyin 0100-0300
Lung (repeats cycle)

Classical texts describe most of the main acupuncture points as existing on the twelve

main and two of eight extra meridians (also referred to as mai) for a total of fourteen

"channels" through which qi and Blood flow. Other points not on the fourteen

channels are also needled. Local pain is treated by needling the tender "ashi" points

where qi or Blood is believed to have stagnated.

The zang-fu of the twelve main channels are Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen,

Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Gall Bladder, Liver and the

intangible San Jiao. The eight other pathways, referred to collectively as the qi jing ba

mai, include the Luo Vessels, Divergents, Sinew Channels, ren mai and du mai
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Review of Acupuncture
 
though only the latter two (corresponding to the anterior and posterior sagittal plane of

the torso respectively) are needled. The remaining six qi jing ba mai are manipulated

by needling points on the twelve main meridians.

Normally qi is described as flowing through each channel in a continuous circuit. In

addition, each channel has a specific aspect and occupies two hours of the "Chinese

clock".

The zang-fu are divided into yin and yang channels, with three of each type located on

each limb. Qi is believed to move in a circuit through the body, travelling both

superficially and deeply. The external pathways correspond to the acupuncture points

shown on an acupuncture chart while the deep pathways correspond to where a

channel enters the bodily cavity related to each organ.

The three yin channels of the hand (Lung, Pericardium, and Heart) begin on the chest

and travel along the inner surface of the arm to the hand. The three yang channels of

the hand (Large Intestine, San Jiao, and Small Intestine) begin on the hand and travel

along the outer surface of the arm to the head. The three yin channels of the foot

(Spleen, Liver, and Kidney) begin on the foot and travel along the inner surface of the

leg to the chest or flank.

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FIG.5 MERIDIANS & ACUPUNCTURE POINTS OF UPPER LIMB

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FIG.6 MERIDIANS & ACUPUNCTURE POINTS OF LOWER LIMB

FIG.7 LUNG MERIDIAN

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The three yang channels of the foot (Stomach, Gallbladder, and Urinary Bladder)

begin on the face, in the region of the eye, and travel down the body and along the

outer surface of the leg to the foot. Each channel is also associated with a yin or yang

aspect, either "absolute" (jue-), "lesser" (shao-), "greater" (tai-) or "brightness" (-

ming).

FIG.8 STOMACH CHANNEL

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A standard teaching text comments on the nature and relationship of meridians (or

channels) and the Zang Fu organs:

The theory of the channels is interrelated with the theory of the Organs. Traditionally,

the internal Organs have never been regarded as independent anatomical entities.

Rather, attention has cantered upon the functional and pathological interrelationships

between the channel network and the Organs. So close is this identification that each

of the twelve traditional Primary channels bears the name of one or another of the

vital Organs. In the clinic, the entire framework of diagnostics, therapeutics and point

selection is based upon the theoretical framework of the channels. "It is because of the

twelve Primary channels that people live, that disease is formed, that people are

treated and disease arises." [(Spiritual Axis, chapter 12)]. From the beginning,

however, we should recognize that, like other aspects of traditional medicine, channel

theory reflects the limitations in the level of scientific development at the time of its

formation, and is therefore tainted with the philosophical idealism and metaphysics of

its day. That which has continuing clinical value needs to be reexamined through

practice and research to determine its true nature.

The meridians are part of the controversy in the efforts to reconcile acupuncture with

conventional medicine. The National Institutes of Health 1997 consensus development

statement on acupuncture stated that acupuncture points, Qi, the meridian system and

related theories play an important role in the use of acupuncture, but are difficult to

relate to a contemporary understanding of the body. Chinese medicine forbade

dissection, and as a result the understanding of how the body functioned was based on

a system that related to the world around the body rather than its internal structures.

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Review of Acupuncture
 
The 365 "divisions" of the body were based on the number of days in a year, and the

twelve meridians proposed in the TCM system are thought to be based on the twelve

major rivers that run through China. However, these ancient traditions of Qi and

meridians have no counterpart in modern studies of chemistry, biology and physics

and to date scientists have been unable to find evidence that supports their existence.

Traditional diagnosis

The acupuncturist decides which points to treat by observing and questioning the

patient in order to make a diagnosis according to the tradition which he or she utilizes.

In TCM, there are four diagnostic methods: inspection, auscultation and olfaction,

inquiring, and palpation.

• Inspection focuses on the face and particularly on the tongue, including

analysis of the tongue size, shape, tension, color and coating, and the absence

or presence of teeth marks around the edge.

• Auscultation and olfaction refer, respectively, to listening for particular sounds

(such as wheezing) and attending to body odor.

• Inquiring focuses on the "seven inquiries", which are: chills and fever;

perspiration; appetite, thirst and taste; defecation and urination; pain; sleep;

and menses and leukorrhea.

• Palpation includes feeling the body for tender "ashi" points, and palpation of

the left and right radial pulses at two levels of pressure (superficial and deep)

and three positions Cun, Guan, Chi (immediately proximal to the wrist crease,

and one and two fingers' breadth proximally, usually palpated with the index,

middle and ring fingers).


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Review of Acupuncture
 
Other forms of acupuncture employ additional diagnostic techniques. In many forms

of classical Chinese acupuncture, as well as Japanese acupuncture, palpation of the

muscles and the hara (abdomen) are central to diagnosis.

Traditional Chinese medicine perspective

Although TCM is based on the treatment of "patterns of disharmony" rather than

biomedical diagnoses, practitioners familiar with both systems have commented on

relationships between the two. A given TCM pattern of disharmony may be reflected

in a certain range of biomedical diagnoses: thus, the pattern called Deficiency of

Spleen Qi could manifest as chronic fatigue, diarrhea or uterine prolapse. Likewise, a

population of patients with a given biomedical diagnosis may have varying TCM

patterns. These observations are encapsulated in the TCM aphorism "One disease,

many patterns; one pattern, many diseases". (Kaptchuk, 1982)

Classically, in clinical practice, acupuncture treatment is typically highly

individualized and based on philosophical constructs as well as subjective and

intuitive impressions, and not on controlled scientific research.

(WWW.Wikepedia.Com)

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

Comparison of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Sankhya & TCM Comparison

` Unity

` A comparison of TCM and Sankhya philosophy reveals many inherent

similarities.

` In both traditions, as well as in modern science, similar principles have

emerged through the process of intuitive insight, observation of nature,

developing hypotheses.

` At the heart of both traditions is a sense of cosmic unity as the source from

which all creations arises. This termed Wu or Tao in TCM, and is comparable

to two concepts in Sankhya philosophy: Avyakta (the unmanifest) and

Purusha, the conscious principle that springs forth from Avyakta. These are

eternal, unbounded in space and time, and are essence of oneness. They are

without attributes and beyond name, form and differentiation.

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

` Duality:

` In both TCM & Sankhya the first step of manifestation of the fundamental

wholeness or unity is duality.

` In TCM the unity expresses as Yin and Yang, which arise together and are

eternally and co-equally paired in every aspect of creation. Together they are

the Supreme Ultimate, Tai Ji. Yin and Yang co-exist;one cannot exist without

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 
the other. They constitute a dynamic whole that is inter-transforming and

inter-consuming.

` The Sankhya model is significantly different. While the fundamental

wholeness, the un manifest Avyakta appears to differentiate as Purusha and

Prakruti, Purusha is primary and Prakruti cannot exist without Purusha, while

Purusha can exist without Prakruti.

` Another subtle difference is that, like yin in TCM, Prakruti is considered

feminine, while Yang & Purusha are masculine; but yin is viewed as

essentially passive.

` Like Yin & Yang, Purusha & Prakruti are dynamic but they are not inter-

transforming; that is they do not convert in to one another.

` Qualities:

` IN contrast to the duality model of Yin/Yang, Prakruti first expresses itself as

three: the three gunas: Sattva, Rajas, Tamas. All of the creations are imbued

with three qualities, which can be compared with the qualities and

characteristics of Yin & Yang.

` Rajas have the active of Yang, while Sattva and Tamas possess the passive

qualities of Yin.

` Sattva & rajas are yang in terms of being light while Tamas is Yin being

darkness.

` Rajas is a bridge between sattva & Tamas, while there is no third entity

between yin and yand which mediates between them.


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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 
` While Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas are considered to be maha gunas, Ayurveda

also recognizes twenty gunas (10 pairs of opposites) that are directly parallel

to the commonly accepted qualities of Yin and Yang in TCM.

` E.g. Vata dosha is cold, light, mobile, clear, subtle, rough and dry> Pitta dosha

is hot, sharp, light, liquid, oily, and spreading. Kapha dosha is heavy, dull,

cold, dense, stable, cloudy, soft, gross, smooth and oily.

` Therefore, Vata and Pitta are predominantly yang in nature, while Kapha is

yin.

FIG.9 GUNAS & THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH YIN/YANG

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

Qi and Prana:

` Qi and Prana are virtually equivalent. Both represent energy, the vital life

force responsible for the animation of every organism and the life of

everything in the universe. Without them, life cannot exist and death is

inevitable.

` Qi is generated from the movement of unity into duality.

` Prana is the energy that flows through creation from Prakruti to Mahad to

Buddhi, to Ahankara and lastly in to three gunas, in to the organic and

inorganic universe.

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 
` Within the body, both flow through the subtle energy pathways termed

meridians in TCM and Nadis in Ayurveda.

` Ayurveda considers prana not only as energy but also as the flow of

intelligence and awareness. Prana also exists in conjunction ojas, and tejas

forming a trinity within the microcosm of the body and universe. In the body

prana is cellular awareness, tejas is cellular digestion and intelligence and ojas

is equated with cellular immunity.

` The TCM equivalent is Qi (energy) corresponds to Prana, Shen (spirit) with

tejas and Jing (essence) with ojas. They are called the three treasures.

` TCM also emphasizes the functional relationship of qi and blood. Qi is yang in

nature and blood is yin. Blood is viewed as mother of qi because of its

nourishing nature. Qi is called commander of blood, because it is thought to

lead blood through the channels.

` In Ayurveda, blood is called rakta and it is intimately associated with prana in

manner similar to qi and blood, traditionaly expressed as prana raktanu

dhavati, prana moves with the blood.

The Five Elements:

` Essential to both TCM and Ayurveda are the five elements or organizing

principles that support life when in balance and create disease when

imbalanced.

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 
` The five elements do not overlap precisely. Fire, Earth and Water are common

to both systems while the remaining two elements differ. Sankhya system

includes Space & Air while TCM has Wood and Metal.

` The difference is not great as metal has many attributes similar to air and vata

dosha and wood shares common attributes with fire and pitta dosha, because it

carries the hidden potential of fire within.

` Space from the sankhya system does not have a direct correspondence in TCM

but it is implied there as the space within which the other elements exist and

interact.

` In TCM the elements nourish and regulate each other in a cyclical manner.

` In contrast, the Ayurvedic five elements arise from a linear, hierarchical

progression where one element generates the next in natural order.

` Perhaps the greatest difference is the role the five elements play in each

system.

` In TCM, the structural progression from Tao or Wu through Yin and Yang

stops with the five elements.

` In Ayurveda, the five elements are not the end point, but from their

combination emerge three doshas, the cornerstone of its conceptual

framework.

` Thus In Ayurveda the five elements are not given the same importance as in

TCM, as three doshas play more prominent role in Ayurveda.

` Space and Air form Vata dosha, Fire and Water form pitta dosha and water

and Earth constitute kapha dosha. These three doshas are governing factors for

diagnosis and treatment.


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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 
` Just as the TCM five elements have a “controlling cycle” that maintains self-

regulating balance, the three doshas continuously adjust and re-adjust to

maintain equilibrium.

` In both systems, when an element or dosha becomes excessive or deficient,

balance is disrupted leading to specific symptomatology and pathology.

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

Individual Constitution:

` De is the Chinese term for individual constitution, which is typically expressed

in terms of five elements. A person may be predominantly fire, manifesting as

energetic, robust, hot tempered, while a person with predominantly earth will

be good natured, jovial, grounded, stable and possibly stubborn.

` These constitutional types are discussed in modern interpretations of TCM but

are not mentioned in the ancient texts.

` In Ayurveda, an individual’s constitution is predominantly vata, pitta, kapha

or combination of three doshas.

` In Ayurveda, the prakruti is considered to have, in addition to basic physical,

doshic combination, a karmic and genetic component and a mental component

` In addition vikruti also plays an important part in individual’s unique

composition.

` In TCM, health is the balance of yin and yang in the body. From energetic

view point, health is an abundance of qi that flows smoothly throughout the

network of meridians and related organs. Reflecting the intricate relation of

microcosm and macrocosm, health is viewed as harmony between the inner

and outer world, and between the individual and nature.

` Disease is disruption of balance between yin, yang and qi

` When doshas, dhatus and malas are in proper functional relationship, along

with a balance on the cellular level of ojas, tejas and prana, there is perfect

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 
balance of body, senses, mind and consciousness, resulting in clarity,

happiness, joy, peace and love.

` Disease or at least less than perfect health arises when this balance is not

maintained or disturbed due to external forces.

Comparison between Nadis & Meridians

` Both nadis and meridians are subtle, refined pathways of intelligence and

energy, while srotasmi are more physical and functional entities.

` Nadis and meridians form an interconnected network;srotamsi do not.

` Meridians are classified according to location and function, while the nadis are

not.

` Meridians are accessible on the exterior surface of the body, while nadis and

srotasmi are internal pathways that do not surface, though they can be

influenced from the surface by such means as electrical stimulation, Laser, or

accupressure.

` Unlike meridians, nadis and srotamsi cannot be mapped on the exterior surface

of the body.

` Interestingly both systems recognize 14 major channels.

` Meridians are closely linked to their associated organs, while srotamsi are

more closely related to tissues and functions.

` Meridians are delineated by accupoints that trace the flow of energy in a

continuum from the first point on the meridian to the last. The energy flows in

sequence from first meridian to the last and the cycle continues.

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

Typical similarities between Acupuncture points and Marma

Marmas are also called as Adankals, pressure-points, reflex points, and vital points.

Marmas are hundreds of areas on the surface of the body that nadis (pranic channels,

carriers of prana or bio-energy) join to organs and nonadjacent areas. Marma points

are important pressure points on the body, much like the acupuncture points of

Traditional. One finds the first reference to them in the Atharva Veda and they are

elaborately dealt with by Sushruta. Like the Chinese acupuncture points, Marma

points are measured by the finger units (Anguli) relative to each individual.

Their size is measured by finger inches and their location determined by them."

Siravedhana” (Acupuncture) and Marma Chikitsa (Acupressure) were very prevalent

and highly accepted therapies during RgVeda and AtharvaVeda and flourished during

Samhita period. It is amazing to read the details of treatment which Sushruta

described in the Sushruta Samhita...Chinese literature of Acupuncture when decoded

answers to it. In fact 24 channels (meridians) of Chinese Acupuncture are nothing else

than Sushruta’s 24 Dhamanis while points on channels are 700 Siras of Sushruta...

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

FIG.10.Anterior View Of Marma & Acupuncture Point

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

Fig.11 Posterior View of Marma & Acupuncture Points.

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

Fig.12 Lateral View of Marma & Acupuncture Points

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Comparison of TCM & Ayurveda
 

Conclusion

` In conclusion, Ayurveda and TCM show striking similarities in philosophy,

inclusion of five element model, related concept of both health and disease.

Both reflect a holistic approach involving mind, body and spirit. Despite their

differences, each system presents an integral philosophical and medical model

clearly demonstrating the connection between health’s and living in balance,

in harmony with nature.

` Most notably both traditions utilize the energy points as doorways to maintain

health and harmony.

` Marma is both structural & functional unit, where as acupuncture point is

only functional.

` In one Marma Sthana there may be more than 2 or 3 acupuncture points of

different meridian.

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Disease Review

Janu Sandhigata Vata


Janu:

Utpatti: The word Janu is derived from root “jan”4(p.451) means knee

Nirukti: “F eÉÇbÉrÉÉåÈ qɱ pÉÉaÉÈ”4(p.531) means that which joins the Uru and Jangha is

known as Janu

The word “Sandhigata Vata” comprises of three words, viz. Sandhi, Gata and Vata.

Sandhi - Sandhi is a word of masculine gender. Sandhi is derived from root “dha”

which when prefixed by “sam” and suffixed by “ki” gives rise to word Sandhi4(p.240).

Dictionary meaning: Union, junction, combination, a joint.

Gata - Gata word exists in all the three genders and it is derived from “Gam” dhathu

and “Ktin” pratyaya. “aÉdcÉÌiÉ eÉlÉÉÌiÉ rÉiÉåÌiÉ uÉÉ”4(p.298) - That which has went or

reached.

Vata : - Vata is a word of masculine gender. The word is coined from “Vaa” dhathu

and “Ktin” pratyaya. Vata is derived from “uÉÉ aÉÌiÉ aÉlkÉlÉrÉÉåÈ”4(p.325) i.e. gamana-

movement, to move and gandhana – pressure.

Meaning: Vata means wind/air, one of the three humours of the body.

Thus, collectively the Janu Sandhigatavata means the disease resulting from

the settling of vitiated Vata dosha in Janu Sandhi (Knee joint).

The word “Osteoarthritis” is a combination of three words. Osteon”,

“arthron” and “itis” respectively means bone, joint and inflammation. The word

mening is “inflammation to the bony joint”.

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Disease Review

Sandhigata Vata

Sandhigata Vata is one among the Vata vyadhis which is described as a

separate clinical entity. It falls under various gatavata vyadhis caused by localization

of kupita Vata dosha in the asthi sandhis.

HISTORICAL REVIEW OF SANDHIGATA VATA:

VEDIC PERIOD:

Earliest available record regarding the disease and its treatment is in Vedas. In

Atharva Veda 6th chapter we can find a quotation which describes a disease of sandhis

“Destroy every balasa, which is seated in the limbs and in the joints, the in-dwelling

one, which loosens the bones and the joints and afflicts the heart”. A.v.6/14/1

SAMHITA PERIODS:

Charaka Samhita:

Description of Sandhigata Vata as a separate clinical entity is available in

Vata vyadhi Chikista Adhyaya of Chikitsa Sthana. However Charaka has not

mentioned any specific line of treatment for this condition.2(chi.ch.28.sl37)

Sushrutha samhita:

Signs and symptoms have beeen described in Nidana sthana and separate line

of Chikitsa has been explained in Chikitsa sthana.1(ni.ch.1.sl.28)

Harita Samhita:

Though no separate description of the disease is available line of treatment has

been explained under Vata Vyadhi Chikitsa.

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Disease Review

Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hridaya:

Both the books have followed Charaka while describing the lakshana of

Sandhigata Vata and Sushruta’s version while describing the chikitsa

aspect.3(ni.ch.15.sl.12)

Madhava Nidana:

Signs and symptoms have been explained under Vatavyadhi chikitsa and for

the first time he has added Atopa as a symptom.10(ni.ch.22.sl.21)

Chakradatta and Bhaishajya Ratnavali:

Both these books have explained the line of treatment under Vata vyadhi

chikitsa which is akin to Sushruta’s description.5(ch.22.sl.9)

Bhavaprakasha and Yogaratnakara:

The description is same as in Sushrutha Samhita, both in Nidana as well as

chikitsa aspects.7(ch.23.sl.258-259)

Sandhi Shareera:

Here an attempt has been made to collect all the scattered references

pertaining to functional anatomy of Sandhis as described in Ayurvedic literatures

under various circumstances.

Dalhana commenting on sandhis opines it as “Asthi sandhi”1(sha.ch.5.sl.28)

Table.No.10: Showing Number of Sandhis according to different texts:

Text Name CA. SU. A.S. A.H. KS.

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Disease Review

No. of Sandhis 200 210 210 210 381

Classification of Sandhis:1(sha.ch.5.sl.24.p.366)

Based on mobility Sushrutha has classified Sandhis broadly into

9 Chestavanta Sandhi

9 Sthira Sandhi
The sandhis in shakha, hanu and kati are included under Chestavanta

Sandhis, which may be alpa chesta or bahu chesta; the remaining Sandhis are

included under Sthira Sandhis.

Table No: 11 showing the sites of different Sandhis1(sha.ch.5.sl.27)

Sl. Name of Type and site


Sandhis
These are freely movable joints,
Kora
anguli (interphalangeal joints),
1 (resembles a bud)
manibandha (wrist), gulpha (ankle), janu (knee) and kurpara
{Hinge joint}
(elbow) come under this variety
This type of sandhi performs wide range of actions (bahu
Ulukhala
2 chesta), seen in kaksha (shoulder), vankshana
(Ball and socket )
( hip) and danta (alveolar sockets and teeth)
This variety has only slight movements (alpa chesta),
Samudga Amsapeetha (sternoclavicular),
3 (lid and box Guda (sacrococcygeal),
Shape) bhaga (symphysis pubis)
and nitamba (lumbosacral)
This type of joint is formed by bones having symmetrical
Pratara
4 surface.These joints are slightly movable, Greeva and prishta
(floating)
sandhis (intervertebral joints) come under this variety
In this variety the connection between the bone and the joint is
Tunnasevani
5 in zigzag fashion. It is seen in Shira, kati & kapala. This is
(sutural joints)
included under sthira type of joints
It resembles beak of crow. Hanusandhi is an example for this
6 Vayasatunda
type of joint

Mandala It is circular in shape and made up of Tarunastis. Kantha


7
(rounded) (tracheal rings) comes under this type of joint

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Sankhaavarta
8 Present in Shrothra (cochlea )
(Conch shaped)

Mere union of two or more Asthis is not sufficient to form a Sandhi. It requires

other sturcures like Snayu, Kandara, pesi etc which connect the Asthis to one another

and give strength to the Sandhi.

Asthi: Asthi is the main component of a Sandhi. Dharana is the prime function of

Asthi.1(su.ch.11.sl.4). Asthi is the ashraya dhatu for Vata dosha, as a rule the vriddha

dosha causes vriddhi of the ashraya dhatu, unlike others Vata vruddhi causes Asthi

kshaya and Vata kshaya causes Asthi vriddhi.1(su.ch.11.sl.26-28)

Vyana Vata: - Vyana Vata is responsible for all types of motor functions, namely

prasarana, akunchana, vinamana, unnamana and tiryag. It resides in all types of

Sandhis and hridaya and is responsible for movement of rasa etc dhatus.1(ni.ch.1.sl.13)

Janu sandhi is kora variety of Sandhi. It is made up of

¾ 1 Janu kapalikasthi (kapala type of asthi) upper part of 2 Janghasthis

¾ lower part of 1 Urunalakasthi

Snayu and Kandara:

Snayus are the structures which bind the Asthi, Mamsa and Medas together.

Pratanani variety of Snayu is present in Sandhis and the large numbers of Snayus

which bind sandhis tightly are responsible for bearing the body weight. There are 10

Snayus in Janu sandhi.

Kandara is a varity of Snayu which is round or cylindrical in shape. It is responsible

for prasarana and akunchana of bodily parts.

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Shleshmadhara kala: Kala is a structure located in between dhatu and ashaya.

Kala contains kleda and it is described as dhatu rasa vishesha by Vagbhata.

Sleshmadhara kala is fourth Kala which resides in all the joints. Joints function

properly by the support of kapha as wheel moves on well by lubricating the axis. It is

responsible for proper alignment and movements of all joints.

Shleshaka kapha: Shleshaka kapha is situated in all sandhis. It binds the joints

firmly, protects their articulaton and opposes their seperation and disunion.

Peshi: Peshi imparts strength to the different structures of the body like Sira, Snayu,

Asthi parva and Sandhis by enveloping them. Five Peshsi are present in janu sandhi.

Siras and Dhamanis:

The Kaphavaha siras carrying prakrita Kapha, maintains the sandhi, ensures

its sthirata, increases its bala etc. One of the functions of Vatavaha siras is pancha

cheshta such as Prasarna, Akunchana etc. the Raktavaha siras does dhatu purana

brings about sthirata and does poshana. Asthi is one of the dhatus; hence these

functions are applicable for Asthi dhatu poshana also.

The Sparshavaha dhamanis are spread in the upward direction and these have

the function of carrying the sparsha jnana. The sparsha may be sukhakara or

dukhakara.

Janu Sandhi is considered as a Sandhi marma and grouped under

Vaikalyakara marma, injuries to this leads to khanjata (limping).

Measurement of Janu: Lenghth 3 angulas and circumference 16 angulas

Knee Joint

The knee joint is the largest and the most complex joint of the body. The

complexity is the result of fusion of three joints in one. It is formed by fusion of the
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lateral femorotibial, medial femorotibial, and femoropatellar joints. It is a compound

synovial joint, incorporating two condylar joints between the condyles of the femur

and tibia, and one saddle joint between the femur and the patella.

Articular surfaces: The knee joint is formed by (1) The condyles of the femur,

(2) The condyles of tibia; and (3) The patella. The femoral condyles articulate with

the tibial condyles below and behind, and with the patella in front.

Fibrous (Articular) capsule: The fibrous capsule is very thin, and is deficient

anteriorly, where it is replaced by the quadriceps femoris, the patella and the

ligamentum patellae.

Ligaments: The knee joint is supported by seven ligaments. They are

(1) Ligamentum Patellae,

(2) Tibial Collateral Ligament,

(3) Fibular Collateral Ligament,

(4) Oblique Popliteal ligament,

(5) Arcuate Popliteal Ligament,

(6) Anterior Cruciate Ligament,

(7) Posterior Cruciate Ligament.

Menisci (Semilunar Cartilage): The menisci are two fibrocartilaginous discs. They

are shaped like crescents. They are (1) Medial meniscus, (2) Lateral meniscus.

Functions of Menisci:

(1) They help to make the articular surfaces more congregate.

(2) The menisci serve as shock absorbers.

(3) They help to lubricate the joint cavity

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(4) Because of their nerve supply; they also have a sensory function. They give rise

to proprioceptive impulses.

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Table No. 12 showing the muscles producing movements of the Knee joint

Sl. Principle Accessory


Movement
No. Muscles Muscles
Biceps femoris, Gracilis, Sartorius
1 Flexion Semitendinosus Popliteus,
Semimembranosus Gastrocnemius
2 Extension Quadriceps femoris Tensor fascia latae
Medial Popliteus, Semitendinosus
3 rotation of Sartorius, Gracilis
flexed leg Semimembranosus

Lateral
4 rotation of Biceps femoris
flexed leg

Blood Supply:

¾ Five genicular branches of the popliteal artery.

¾ The descending genicular branch of the femoral artery.

¾ The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.

¾ Recurrent branches of the anterior tibial artery.

¾ The circumflex fibular branch of the post-tibial artery.

Nerve Supply:

Femoral nerve: - Through its branches to the vasti, especially the vastus medialis.

Sciatic nerve: - Through the genicular branches of the tibial and common peronial

Nerve.

Obturator nerve:-Through its posterior division

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Synovial fluid: The surfaces of articular cartilage are separated by a space filled with

synovial fluid, a viscous liquid that lubricates the joint. Synovial fluid is as ultra

filtrate of plasma into which synovial cells secrete hyaluronan and proteoglycans.

NIDANA

Nidana can be classified under various headings with different views. Among

them one classification is Sannikrishta and Viprakrishta Karana. Here, with the

complimentary references the Nidanas of Sandhigatavata is classified on this basis.

Sannikrishta Hetu: Ativyayama, Abhighata, Marmaghata, Bharaharana,

Sheeghrayana, Pradhavana, Atisankshobha.

Viprakrushta Hetu:

™ Rasa – Kashaya, Katu, Tikta

™ Guna – Rooksha, Sheeta, Laghu

™ Dravya – Mudga, Koradusha, Nivara, Shyamaka, Uddalaka, Masura, Kalaya,

Adaki, Harenu, Shushkashaka, Vallura, Varaka.

™ Aharakrama – Alpahara, Vishamashana, Adhyashana, Pramitashana

™ Manasika – Chinta, Shoka, Krodha, Bhaya

™ Viharaja – Atijagarana, Vishamopacara, Ativyavaya, Shrama, Divaswapna,

Vegasandharana, Atyucchabhashana, Dhatu Kshaya.

The nidanas of Vatavyadhi/ Vata prakopaka karanas are listed under the following

headings 1. Aharaja, 2.Viharaja, 3.Manasika, 4.Anya.

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Table No. 13 showing the Aharaja Nidana:

Sl.
Nidana CA SU AS AH MN BP YR
No
1 Rooksha Bhojana + + + + + + +
2 Laghu Bhojana + + + - + + +
3 Sheetanna + + + - + - +
4 Alpa Bhojana + - - + + - +
5 Abhojana + + - - + + +
6 Pramita Bhojana - - + + - - -
7 Vishama Bhojana - + - - - - -
8 Ama + - - - + + +
9 Adhyashana - + - - - - -
10 Vishtambhi Ahara - - + - - - -
11 Viruddha Ahara - - + - - - -
12 Shushka shaka - + - - - - -
13 Trushitashana - - + - - - -
14 Kshudhitambupana - - + - - - -
15 Tikta-Katu-Kashaya rasa - + + + - + -
Vallura-varaka-uddalaka-koradusha-
16 shyamaka-nivara-mudga-masura- - + - - - - -
adhaki-harenu-kalaya-nishpava
Katruna-dhanya-kalaya-chanaka-
17 karira-tumba-kalinga-chirbhita-bisa- - - + - - - -
shaluka-jambu-tinduka

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Table No. 14 showing the Viharaja Nidana:

Sl. No Nidana CA SU AS AH MN BP YR

1 Ati vyayama + + + + + + +

2 Ati prajagara + + + + + + +

3 Atyadhva + + + - + - +

4 Ati vyavaya + + + + + + +

5 Gaja-ashva-ushtra-sheeghrayana + + + - + - +

6 Vegadharana + + + + + + +

7 Abhighata + + + - + + +

8 Dukha shayya + - - - + - +

9 Dukha asana + - - - + - +

10 Plavana + + - - + - +

11 Prapatana + + - - + - +

12 Pradhavana - + - - - - -

13 Bharaharana - + - - - - -

14 Vega udheerana - - + + - - -

15 Atyuccha bhashana - - - + - - -

16 Prapeedana - + - - - - -

17 Pratarana - + - + - - -

18 Divaswapna + - - - + - +

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Manasika Nidana: Psychological factors like Chinta, Shoka, Bhaya, Krodha etc are

the aggravating factors of Vata. As Vata is the controller of the manas, any affliction

to Manas disturbes the Vata dosha.

Table No. 15 showing the Manasika Nidana

Sl. No Nidana CA SU AS AH MN BP YR

1 Chinta + - - + + + +

2 Shoka + - + + + + +

3 Bhaya + - + - + + +

4 Krodha + - - - + - +

Anya Nidana: Panchakarma apacharas like Atidoshasravana, Atiraktamokshana,

Atiyoga of langhana, Apatamsana etc and Dhatukshayakarabhavas like

Rogakarshana, Gadakrita atimamsakshaya etc vitiate Vata. Dhatukshaya is an

important vitiating factor of Vata dosha.

Table No. 16 showing Anya Nidana:1(su.ch.1.sl.12)

1 Vishama upachara + - - - + - +

2 Kriyatiyoga - - + + + - -

3 Ati asruka mokshana + - - - + + +

Sthoulya is another causative factor for Vata prakopa. The Meda-

avarana of Vata is the mechanism causing inter-relationship between Sthoulya

and vata vyadhis. All types of avaranas are also important vitiating factors of

Vata. Vardhakya avastha is dominate by Vata, during this period, Dhatukshaya

occurs which causes Vata prakopa.

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Living in Jangaladesha is another cause of Vata prakopa.1(su.ch.1.sl.22)

Vata gets vitiated in the end of day and night. Vata prakriti persons are more

susceptible to Vata vikaras. Persons who are Rooksha-kashaya-katu-tikta

satmya are also more susceptible to Vata vikaras.

OSTEOARTHRITIS

EPIDEMOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS: 13(p.2036)

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease of humans. Among elderly,

knee OA is the leading cause of chronic disability in developed countries.

ƒ Age and Sex: Age is the most powerful risk factor for OA. Women are at

high risk than men in developing OA. Radiographic evidence of knee OA,

and especially symptomatic knee OA, is more common in woman than in

men. In a radiographic survey of women <45 years, only 2% had OA;

between the ages of 45 and 64 years, however, the prevalence was 30%, and

for those > 65 years it was 68%. In males, the figures were similar, but

somewhat lower, in the older age groups.

ƒ Hereditory Factor: The relation of heredity to OA is less ambiguous. Thus,

the mother and sister of a woman with distal interphalageal (DIP) jointa OA

(Heberden’s nodes) are, respectively, two to three times as likely to exhibit

OA in these joints as the mother and sister of unaffected woman.

ƒ Race Factor: Racial difference exists in both the prevalence of OA and the

pattern of joint involvement. OA is more frequent in Native Americans than

in whites. The Chinese in Hong Kong have a lower incidence of hip OA than

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in whites. Interphalangeal joint OA and especially hip OA are much less

common in South African blacks than in whites in the same population.

Whether these differences are genetic or due to differences in joint usage

related to life style or occupation is unknown.

ƒ Trauma: Major trauma and repetitive joint use are important risk factors for

OA. Anterior Cruciate ligament insufficiency or meniscus damage may lead

to knee OA. Although damage to the articular cartilage may occur at the time

of injury or subsequently, with use of affected joint, even normal cartilage

will degenerate if the joint is unstable.

ƒ Occupation: Men whose jobs required knee bending and at least moderate

physical demands had a higher rate of radiographic evidence of knee OA,

and more severe radiographic changes, than men whose jobs required neither.

ƒ Obesity: Obesity is risk factor for both knee OA and hand OA. For those in

the highest quintile for body mass index at base line examination, the relative

risk for developing knee OA in the ensuing 36 years was 1.5 for men and 2.1

for women. For severe knee OA, the relative risk rose to 1.9 for men and 3.9

for women, suggesting that obesity plays an even larger role in the etiology

of the most serious cases of knee OA.

OA is classified as primary and secondary based on causes. Primary OA is the

term used when the disorder arises from unknown or hereditary causes. Secondary

OA describes cases in which direct causes for the disorder are known. Classification

based on causes.13(p.2037)

I. Idiopathic:

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A) Localised OA (Hands, Knee, Hip, Spine), and other single sites, e.g.

glenohumoral, acromioclavicular, tibiotalar, sacroiliac, temporomandibular.

B) Generalized which includes 3 or more of the areas listed above.

II. Secondary:

1) Trauma: a) Acute, b) Chronic (occupational, sports)

2) Congenital or developmental: (Congenital hip dislocation, slipped epiphysis,

Valgus/varus deformity, epiphysial dysplacia etc.)

3) Metabolic: Ochronosis, Hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, Gauchres’ disease

4) Endocrine: Acromegaly, Hyperthyroidism, Diabetic mellitus, Obesity,

Hypothyroidism

5) Neuropathic: Charcot joints

6) Calcium deposit diseases: Calcium phosphate dehydrate deposition

POORVA ROOPA:

Avyakta or alpa lakshanas manifesting before the disease is considered as

poorva roopa In Vata vyadhi1(ni.ch.1). So symptoms such as mild shula, shotha etc

manifesting prior to the rupa can be considered as poorvaroopa in Sandhigata Vata.

ROOPA

Tabel No. 17: showing the roopa of Sandhigata Vata according to different texts:

Sl.
Roopa/Lakshana C.S. S.S. A.S. A.H. M.N B.P Y.R
No.
1 Shula - + - - + + +
2 Vata poorna druti sparsha + - + + - - -
3 Shopha - + - - - + +
Prasarana Akunchanayoho
4 + - + + - - -
savedana pravrutti

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5 Hanti sandhin - + - - + + +
6 Atopa - - - - + - -

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• SHULA: Prakupita Vata dosha is responsible for all types of shula and

there cannot be any shula without the involvement of Vata. Asthi toda

(breaking or tearing type of pain) is one of the main symptoms of Asthi

kshaya.

• SHOTHA/ SHOPHA: Except Madhavakara all other acharyas have

described shotha/shopha as one of the main feature of Sandhigata Vata.

Charaka has explained that the shotha seen in Sandhigata Vata resembles

an air filled bag; this opinion is accepted by both the Vagbhatas. Though

Sushruta has explained Shopha as one of the features of Sandhigata Vata

unlike Charaka he has not specified the type of Shopha.

• PRASARANA AKUNCHANAYOHO SAVEDANA PRAVRUTTI:

It means painful joint movements. It can be felt as difficulty in normal joint

movement or the pain felt on initial movements after long period of

inactivity can be compared to this which is due to the stambha or stiffness

caused due to inactivity.

• HANTI SANDHIN: This can be compared to restricted joint movement

and it was first explained by Sushrutha. Different commentators have

explained this as follows:-

a) Dalhana: Explains this as absence of prasarana and akunchana of the

Sandhi i.e. absence of normal range of movement of the joint (flexion

and extension).

b) Gayadasa: Explains this as inability of the joint to move which is

similar to Dalhanas explanation.

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c) Sandhi Vishlesha and Stambha: In Madhukosha vyakhya on

Madhava Nidhana, Hanti Sandhi has been explained as Sandhi

vishlesha (weakness of joint) or Stambha (stiffness or loss of function)

of the joint.

• ATOPA: Only Madhavakara has explained this feature. It has replaced

the Shopa form Sushruta’s version. No specific commentary is available

for this word. Charaka while explaining the trividha pareeksha, states that

Sandhi sphutana in the anguli parva (interphalangeal joints) should be

examined under Pratyaksha pariksa.

CLINICAL FEATURES OF OSTEOARTHRITIS:

The joint pain of OA is often described as a deep ache localized to the

involved joint. Typically, it is aggravated by joint use and relieved by rest but, as the

disease progresses, it may become persistent. Nocturnal pain interfering with sleep is

seen particularly in advanced OA of hip and may be enervating. Stiffness of the

involved joint after a period of inactivity (e.g. a night’s sleep or automobile ride) may

be prominent but usually lasts<20 minutes. Systemic manifestations are not a feature

of primary OA. Because articular cartilage is anueral, the joint pain in OA must arise

from other structures.13(p.2039)

Table No. 18 showing causes of Joint pain in patients with OA

Sl. No Source of pain Mechanism


1 Synovium Inflammation
2 Subchondral bone Medullary hypertension, micro fracture
3 Osteophytes Stretching of periosteal nerve endings
4 Ligaments Stretch
5 Capsule Inflammation, distention
6 Muscle Spasm
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Clinical Signs of OA:

9 Restricted movement (capsular thickening, blocking by osteophytes)

9 Palpable, sometimes audible, coarse crepitus (rough articular surface)

9 Bone swelling (osteophytes) around joint margins

9 Deformity, usually without instability

9 Joint-line or periarticular tenderness

9 Muscle weakness, wasting

9 No or only mild synovitis (effusion, increased warmth)13(p.1098)

KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS:11(p.1098)

OA of knee may involve the medial or lateral femorotibial compartment

and/or the patellofemoral compartment. Trauma is a more important risk factor in

men and may result in unilateral OA. Most Knee OA particularly in women is

bilateral and symmetrical. OA pain is usually localized to the anterior or medial

aspect of the knee and upper tibia. Patello-femoral pain is usually worse going up and

down stairs or inclines.11(p.2040-2041)

Local examination findings may include:11(p.1099)

o A varus, less commonly valgus, and/or fixed flexion deformity

o Joint line and/or periarticular tenderness

o Weakness and wasting of quadriceps muscle

o Restricted flexion/extension with coarse crepitus

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o Bony swelling around knee joint

o Jerky asymmetric “antalgic” gait—less weight bearing on the painful side

The American College of Rheumatology has established clinical criteria for

diagnosing primary osteoarthritis of the knees as follows:14(p.796)

Knee pain and;

• At least three of the following 6 criteria: 50 years of age or older, stiffness

lasting less than 30 minutes, crepitus, bony tenderness, bony enlargement, no

warmth to the touch

Laboratory and Radiographic findings:13(p.2040)

The diagnosis of OA is usually based on clinical and radiographic features. In

the early stages, the radiograph may be normal but joint space narrowing becomes

evident as articular cartilage is lost. Other characteristic findings include subchondral

bone sclerosis, subchondral cysts, and osteophytosis. A change in the contour of the

joint, due to bony remodeling, and subluxation may be seen.

No laboratory studies are diagnostic of OA. Because primary OA is not

systemic, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum chemistry determinations, blood

counts, and urinalysis are normal. Synovial fluid reveals mild leukocytosis

(<2000 WBC per micro liter), with predominance of mononuclear cells.

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Table No. 19 showing the Kellgren- Lawrence Radiographic Grading

Scale14(p.796)

Of Osteoarthritis of Tibio-Femoral Joint:

Grade of the
Description
Osteoarthritis
0 No radiographic findings of Osteoarthritis
1 Minute osteophytes of doubtful clinical significance
2 Definite osteophytes with unimpaired joint space
3 Definite osteophytes with moderate joint space narrowing
Definite osteophytes with severe joint space narrowing
4
and subchondral sclerosis
UPASHAYA AND ANUPASHAYA:

Upashaya is judicious use of drugs, diet and practices (vihara) which results

in relief of symptoms. Upashaya is antagonistic to the cause of disease and to the

disease itself and anupashaya is that which aggravates the symptoms. No specific

Upashaya has been described for Sandhigata Vata in the classics. The general

Upashaya and Anupashay of Vata vyadhis can be considered here. Tailabhyanga is an

upashaya in Sandhigata Vata. The snigdha, guru and ushna gunas of taila counters

the ruksha, laghu and sheeta guna of Vata. Indulgence in laghu, ruksha ahara, and ati

vyayama etc viharas can be considered as aupashaya in Vata vyadhis.

Sadhyasadhyatva: Sandhigata Vata is one of the kevala Vata vyadhis. Vata vyadhi is

one among the Mahagadas, which are considered as difficult to treat right from the

beginning stage of the disease. Sandhigata Vata usually occurs in old age due to

dhatu kshaya as old age is dominated by Vata. Moreover Sandhigata Vata belongs to

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madhyama rogamarga vyadhis. Diseases situated in marmas and madhyama

rogamaraga are kashta sadhya vyadhis. Diseases involving the gambheera dhatus are

yapya vyadhis and in Sandhigata Vata asthi dhatu is involved which is a gambheera

dhatu. Considering all the above points Sandhigata Vata can be grouped under yapya

vyadhi,s which need regular and long term treatment.1(ni.ch.1.sl.8)

SAMPRAPTI

It is very important to know the Samprapti or pathology before starting the

treatment. From the onset of Dosha-Dushya Dushti, till the evolution of the Vyadhi

various stages can be seen. Samprapti explains such series of pathological stages

involved.

As no special Samprapti has been explained for Sandhigata Vata the Samanya

Samprapti of Vatavyadhi can be considered as the Samprapti of Sandhigata Vata.

According to Acharya Charaka and Vagbahta, dhatu kshaya is the main cause

for Vata prakopa.This balavan (prakupita) Vata circulates through the empty

channels in the body (rikta srotas), fills them and produces sarvanga and ekanga

rogas (systemic and localized diseases). Chakrapani commenting on the word riktani

states that riktani means tuchyani (snehadi gunashunyani) i.e channels or srotasas

devoid of nutrients. Avarana of this prakupita Vata by other doshas is the other

reason for the Vata prakopa in the absence of dhatu kshaya resulting in

disease.6(ni.ch.15.sl.6)

That is, the above said Ahara vihara induces reduction of Snehabhava and

simultaneously produces Vatakopa due to the dhatu kshaya. Reduction of Shleshaka

kapha occurs and this allows the settling of vitiated Vata (vyana vata) in the joints

thereby gradually resulting in the manifestation of Sandhigata Vata.

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Disease Review

Concept of Gatavata

As the disease belongs to Gatavata group of Vata vyadhis, it will be

relevant to discuss the concept of Gatavata here. While mentioning Gatavata,

acharyas have mentioned the gatatva of dhatu, upadhatu, ashaya, avayava

etc.160 The various terminologies used to denote this Gatavata are gate, sthithe,

avasthite, ashrite, prapte, etc. These all terminologies can imply two important

factors – A) related to the gati of the vitiated Vata and B) related to the

occupation of a particular site.

Three main factors involving in the production of Sandhigata Vata are –

¾ Kopa of vyana vata, which normally controls all the movements of the body.

¾ Kshaya of shleshaka kapha, which normally aligns the joints and maintains its

compactness.

¾ Deterioration of Shleshmadhara kala, which lubricates the joints.

Samprapti ghatakas

01. Dosha – Vata – Vyana vata vridhi, and Kapha – Shleshaka kapha kshaya

02. Dushya – Asthi, Majja, Peshi, Snayu, Shleshmadhara kala

03. Srotas – Asthivaha, Medovaha, Majjavaha, Mamsavaha

04. Agni – Jatharagni, Asthidhatwagni,

05. Ama – Jatharagni mandyajanya, Asthidhatwagni mandyajanya,

06. Udbhava – Pakwashaya

07. Rogamarga – Madhyama


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Disease Review

08. Adhisthana – Sandhi

Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis:11(p.1097)

A variety of mechanical, metabolic, genetic or constitutional insults may

damage a synovial joint and trigger the need for a repair. Most often the insult

remains unclear (‘primary OA’) but sometimes there is an obvious cause such as

trauma or ligament ruptures (secondary OA). All the joint tissues (cartilage, bone,

synovium, capsule, ligament, muscle) depend on each other for health and function.

Insult to any one of the tissue impacts on the others, resulting in a common OA

phenotype affecting the whole joint. OA process involves dynamic new tissue

production and remodeling of joint shape. Often the slow but efficient OA process

compensates for the insults, resulting in an anatomically altered but pain-free

functioning joint (‘compensated’ OA). Sometimes, however, because of either

overwhelming or chronic insult or an inherently poor repair response, it fails;

resulting in progressive tissue damage, more frequent association with symptoms, and

presentation as ‘joint failure’.

Pathological changes: 13(p.833)

Articular cartilages: The regressive changes are most marked in the weight bearing

regions of the articular cartilages. Initially, there is loss of cartilaginous matrix

(proteoglycans) resulting in progressive loss of normal chondrocytes, and at other

places, proliferation of chondrocytes forming clusters. Further progression of the

process causes loosening, flanking and fissuring of the articular cartilage resulting in

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Disease Review

breaking off of pieces of cartilage exposing subchondral bone. Radiologically, this

progressive loss of cartilage is apparent as narrowed joint space.

1) Bone: The denued subchondral bone appears like polished ivory. There is

death of superficial osteocytes and increased osteoclastic activity causing

rarefaction, imcrocyst formation and occasionally micro fractures of

subadjucent bone. These changes result in remodel ling of bone and changes

in the shape of joint surface leading to flattening and mushroom-like

appearance of the articular end of the bone. The margins of the joints respond

to cartilage damage by osteophytes or spur formation. These are cartilaginous

outgrowths at the joint margins which later get ossified. Osteophytes give the

appearance of lipping of the affected joint. Loosened and fragmented

osteophytes may form free ‘joint mice’ or loose bodies.

2) Synovium: Initially, there are no pathological changes in the synovium but in

advanced cases there is low-grade chronic synovitis and villous hypertrophy.

There may be some amount of synovial effusion associated with chronic

synovitis.

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Disease Review

SAMPRAPTI OF JANU SANDHIGATA VATA

Vardhakya Viharaja Nidana


Aharaja Nidana

Reduced Poshana
of Rasadhi Dhatus

Asthi Dhatu & Other Dhatu


Kshaya

Damage to
Shleshmadhara kala Shithilata of
Snayu, Sira,
Kandara, Peshi
Shleshaka
Reduction of Kapha
Snehanamsha Kshaya
Khavaigunyata
of Janu Sandhi

Sthana Samshraya of
Vata Prakopa Kupita Vata

Janu SandhigataVata
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Disease Review

CHIKITSA

The treatment of the disease is nothing but the breaking-up of the Samprapti.

Charaka has not mentioned any special line of treatment for Sandhigata Vata, but has

mentioned bahya and abhyantara snehana as the treatment for Asthi and Majjagata

Vata which can be adopted in Sandhigata Vata also. Later authors have mentioned

specific line of treatment for Sandhigata Vata with minor changes which is listed

below.

Tabel No. 20 showing the Chikitsa sutra of Sandhigata Vata according to different

texts

Sl.
Chikitsa CA SU A.S A.H C.D B.P Y.R B.R
No
1 Snehana - + + + + - +
2 Upanaha - + + + + + + +
3 Agni karma - + + - + + - +
4 Bandhana - + + - + - - +
5 Svedana - - + - - - + -
6 Raktavsechana - - + - - - - -
7 Pradeha - + - - - - -
8 Mardhana - + + - + - + +

“xlÉåWûÉåmÉlÉÉWûÉÎalÉMüqÉïoÉlkÉlÉÉålqÉSïlÉÉÌlÉ cÉ |

xlÉÉrÉÑxÉlkrÉÎxjÉxÉÇmÉëÉmiÉå MÑürrÉÉï²ÉrÉÉuÉiÉÎlSìiÉÈ ||”2(chi.ch.4.sl.8.p.480)

Dalhana commenting on the word snehana explains that here snehana means

both bahya and abhyantara types of snehana should be considered. Further he

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Disease Review

explains atandrita as analasa i.e. continuous, means the treatment should be done

regularly for long duration.

Vridddha Vagbhata has laid stress on abhyanga. Raktavasechana is indicated

in case of tvak swapana, and it should be followed by pradeha with tila, lavana and

agara dhuma.

Bhavaprakasha has mentioned one yoga for Sandhigata Vata: Indravaruni mula,

magadhi and guda when consumed in a dose of 1 karsha cures Sandhigata Vata.

PATHYA1(ch.23.sl.597)

Ahara

1. Rasas : - Madhura-Amla-Lavana

2. Shukadhanya : - Nava godhuma, Nava shali, Rakta shali, Shashtika shali.

3. Shimbi varg a : - Nava tila, Masha, Kulattha.

4. Shaka varga : - Patola, shigru, vartaka, lashuna.

5. Mamsa varga : - Ushtra, Go, Varaha, Mahisha, Bheka, Nakula,

Chataka, Kukkuta, Tittira, Kurma.

6. Jala varga : - Ushnajala, Shrithasheetajala, Narikelajala.

7. Dugdhavarga : - Go, Aja, Dadhi, Ghritha, Kilata, Kurchika.

8. Mutravarga : - Gomutra.

9. Madyavarga : - Dhanyamla, Sura.

10. Snehavarga : - Tilaja, Ghrita, Vasa, Majja.

Vihara

Veshtana, Trasana, Mardana, Snana, Bhushayya, etc.

APATHYA

Ahara

1. Rasa : - Katu, Tikta, Kashaya.

2. Shimbivarga : - Rajamasha, Nishpava, Mudga, Kalaya.

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3. Shukavarga : - Truna, Kangu, Koradusha, Neevara, Syamaka.

4. Phalavarga : - Jambu, Udumbura, Kramuka, Tinduka.

5. Mamsavarga : - Sushka mamsa, Kapota, Paravata.

6. Jalavarga : - Sheeta jala.

7. Ksheeravarga : - Gardabha.

Vihara

1. Manasika : - Chinta, Shoka, Bhaya.

2. Shareerika : - Jagarana, Shrama, Vyayama, Vyavaya, Chankramana,

Vegadharana etc.

Management of OA:

The American Rheumatism Association (ARA) has issued pharmacologic

guidelines for treatment of OA of the hip and knee.

(1) Arthrocentesis with corticosteroid injection can be used only for knee OA if

effusion is present.

(2) Acetaminophen can be administered, up to 4 g/d. This is the preferred initial

treatment to be given to patients with OA.

(3) Topical anti-inflammatory medications or capsaicin can be administered only for

knee OA.

(4) Low-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (i.e., analgesic doses)

or nonacetylated salicylates may be indicated.

(5) Administration of full-dose NSAIDs with misoprostol, if risk factors for upper

gastrointestinal bleeding are present.

(6) Narcotic analgesic use may be indicated in cases of severe pain.

Surgical interventions for OA of the knee:

• Arthroscopic lavage - Using a saline lavage to wash out the joint

• Joint realignment (realignment osteotomy)

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• Joint fusion (arthrodesis) - Surgically fusing the joint to eliminate motion



Joint replacement (arthroplasty)

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Suchi vyadha chikitsa
 

SUCHI VYADHA

HISTORICAL REVIEW

If we go back to the Indian medical classics, known as the Vedas, said to be written

about 7000 years ago, we find "needle therapy" [Suchi karma] mentioned there. One

volume of the Vedas, known as the “Suchi Veda”, translated as the "art of piercing

with a needle" was written about 3000 years ago and deals entirely with acupuncture.

Unfortunately this text is not available today18(p.11). During ancient period, bamboo or

wooden Suchi – needles were used for acupuncture. Sushrutha has mentioned the art

of acupuncture under Vyadhana or Bhedhana Karma (Bhedhana means to pierce or to

cut). During ancient time needles made up of wood were used, later on various metal

needles were used for this purpose. Sushruta in Sharira sthana 8 ‘Siravyadha’ has

advised puncturing the channels (sira) by using needles, which are as small as ‘vrihi’

(vrihi is the outer cover of the rice grain which is pointed at both ends.

The Indians have both body acupuncture and ear acupuncture. Thus in India, an entire

system of treating every type of disease by the ear alone was [also] developed! Some

scholars believe that acupuncture probably evolved in prehistoric times out of the

modifications of the principles of Ayurveda near the snowy bleaks of the Himalayas,

where no herbs were available.

... In fact, this knowledge has already got passed to the nearby countries around India

mainly during ‘Buddha’ period and got stored as in cold storage. It is not a

coincidence that almost all Buddhist countries have this knowledge and it is the Indian

fortune that the origin of this knowledge [of acupuncture] is from India (But rather

unfortunate that not many people in India know this and appreciate this fact as we sure

have a 'tradition' of forgetting our traditions! and sciences be it mantric or Vedic.

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Suchi vyadha chikitsa
 
PROCEDURE

Suchi Vyadha is an art of Introducing delicate fine Suchi (Fine Needles) into different

sensitive points to stimulate the particular area to get the desired therapeutic effect.

In this clinical study we have used a fine silver headed acupuncture needle for suchi

vyadha. Suchi vyadha is done in and around janu marma with radius of 3 angula to

stimulate janu marma & in turn to stimulate Sandhi Avayava’s present in it, so that it

helps in relieving the pain & promotes Sandhi poshana & thus helps in early repair of

Dhatu Kshayata & restores normal joint integrity.

Back Ground:

As such there is no direct reference presently available in our classics for suchi

vyadha chikitsa. Acupuncture has great role in pain management & it is world widely

accepted as an alternate system of treatment for pain management. In acupuncture

they puncture on an acupuncture point & stimulate the same to cure many diseases.

With the same principle we have tried to stimulate janu marma to manage janu

sandhigata vata. In fact the concept of Marma is well described in our classics, but its

importance in therapeutic aspect (other than Viddha Lakshana) is never mentioned &

ever used (i.e. Marma Sthana is not used to cure disease or to relieve pain). They only

say that, Marma Sthana which is a very vital point should not be injured & should be

kept intact even while doing surgeries. In this present study to first of its kind an

attempt is made to manipulate or stimulate Marma Sthana to obtain desired

therapeutic effect. In coming days this idea may form basis in curing innumerable

disease just by manipulating or stimulating Marma Sthana, which is a seat of prana or

life.

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Suchi vyadha chikitsa
 
In this present study patient with jaanusandhi vikara is considered and Suchi Vyadha

is done with suchi on jaanu marma to relieve from jaanu shoola and other associated

symptoms. Though there is no direct reference for Vyadhana karma on Marma Sthana

& Suchi Vyadha Chikitsa (for Analgesic purpose) in our classics, with some of the

following cross references this treatment procedure is carried out.

iɤÉÌrÉiuÉÉ ¤ÉÑUåhÉÉ…¡Çû MåüuÉsÉÉÌlÉsÉmÉÏÌQûiÉqÉç |

iÉ§É mÉëSåWû S±ÉŠ ÌmÉ¹Ç aÉÑgeÉÉTüsÉæÈ M×üiÉqÉç ||

iÉålÉÉmÉoÉÉWÒûeÉÉ mÉÏQûÉ ÌuÉμÉÉcÉÏ aÉ×kÉëxÉÏ iÉjÉÉ |

AlrÉÉÅÌmÉ uÉÉiÉeÉÉ mÉÏQûÉ mÉëzÉqÉÇ rÉÉÌiÉ uÉåaÉiÉÈ || 3  


(Uk ch.11 sl.102) 

Diseases which is purely of vataja in origin like apabhahuka, vishvaachi, grudrasi etc,

in it first pricking with needle should be done, then followed by lepa with gunja phala

is applied. This type of treatment gives immediate relief.

With this reference we can consider that puncturing or suchi vedha can be done.

 mɤqÉhÉÉÇ xÉSlÉå xÉÔcrÉÉ UÉåqÉMÔümÉÉlÉç ÌuÉMÑüûrÉåiÉç | 2  


(UT ch.9 sl.18) 

In pakshmashata they say that first the site should be pricked with needle then other

line of treatment is adopted.

Even in nilika, vyanga, keshashaata kuttana karma (pricking) with kurcha is

mentioned.

kÉlÉÑuÉï¢üÉ ÌWûiÉÉ qÉqÉïTüsÉMüÉåzÉÉåSUÉåmÉËU |

CirÉåiÉÉÎx§ÉÌuÉkÉÉÈ xÉÔcÉÏxiÉϤhÉÉaÉëÉ xÉÑxÉqÉÉÌWûiÉÉ ||1  (su.ch.25.sl.23) 

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Suchi vyadha chikitsa
 
The above shloka says suturing in marmasthana, vrashanakosha, udara is done by

using curved needle (Dhanurvakra).

With this we can come to conclusion that when suturing itself is allowed on

marmasthana, why not it be punctured. With the above references we can come to

conclusion that directly or indirectly suchi vyadha or puncturing can be done.

More over it is a controlled way of introducing delicate fine suchi to marma and does

not creates any injury or viddha.

In marma viddha lakshana they say death occurs due to blood loss, since there

is no blood loss or injury in this procedure, this may be carried out. This only activates

the doshas present in the marma and brings them into harmony through a controlled

way of pricking and does not create any injury or abhighata to marma.

Shastra Karma

उ पा य़पा यसी यैंयले यू छानकु टनम ् ।


छे यं भे यं यधो म थो महो दाह त बया ॥
(अ. .सू.२६/२८)

Above shloka says Vyadhana karma is one among shastra karma, literally it

means puncturing, puncturing on sira for bloodletting is mentioned in our classics, but

puncturing needle for analgesic effect is not mentioned it is a new approach to do

suchi vyadha on janu marma to manage signs & symptoms of janu sandhigata vata.

                

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Suchi vyadha chikitsa
 

Suchika Bharana Rasa

रसग धकनाग च वषं ःथावरज गमम ् ।


मा ःयवाराहमायूर छाग प ै भावयेत ् ॥
सूिचकाभरणो नाम भैरवेण ूक िततः ।
सूिचकामेण दात यः स नपातकुला तकः ॥
(भै.र. वर.िच.५/६४२-६४३)

With fine suchi, suchika bharana rasa, is put into circulation through
suchi vyadha on Bramha Randra. With this we can say that concept of suchi
vyadha was known to our ancients.
 

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Needle review
 
HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE - NEEDLE

The earliest acupuncture implements were sharp pieces of bone or flint in the shape of

arrowheads called Bian stones. Their use was limited because of their size and shape

and they were used to scratch or prick acupuncture points. Later, sharp pieces of

pottery were used for this purpose. As time went on, the Chinese refined this process

eventually using needles to stimulate acupuncture points.

Early acupuncture needles were made from bamboo and bone and as they were rather

thick, their insertion was painful. In spite of there being no knowledge of sterilization

before the 19th century, it is surprising to note that infection rarely occurred with

acupuncture. This is because acupuncture stimulates the immune system enhancing

the body's protective mechanisms.

With the advent of the Iron Age and the Bronze Age the next type of needles to be

developed were metal needles. As the art of metallurgy progressed, different types of

needles were made. Early needles were made from iron, copper, bronze, silver and

gold. At the time when the "Neiching" was written, there were nine different types of

acupuncture needles in use. These were similar to present day needles. Very thin, fine

needles were used for routine treatment. Arrowhead needles were used to prick the

points. Blunt and round needles were used for acupressure. Scalpels like needles were

used for cutting open boils and abscesses. Larger and heavier needles were available

for insertion into joints and when the acupuncture points lay deep below the skin,

longer needles were used.

Small thumbtacks shaped needles were used for insertion at ear acupuncture points

when prolonged stimulation was required. Three-sided needles were used to bleed the

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patient in cases of coma and high fever. The drawing of a few drops of blood from

certain acupuncture points can bring down high fever, stop convulsions and restore

consciousness in a matter of minutes without any other treatment. Finally there were

the plum blossom needles also called the seven star needles which were used to tap the

skin over acupuncture points. This was mainly used to treat skin diseases, children,

old people and patients who were afraid of needles.

These needles were in widespread use for thousands of years until the early years of

the 20th century, when the invention of stainless steel revolutionized the art of

Some acupuncturists claim that needles made from silver or gold have special

therapeutic properties. Needles made from silver and gold are expensive and so are

often re sharpened, straightened and reused. Unfortunately, the process of re

sharpening needles is laborious and time consuming and it is rarely possible to get as

sharp a point on these needles as on a stainless steel needle. In my experience needles

made from stainless steel are as effective in therapy as needles made from any other

material.

Needles made from two metals act as a thermocouple, and generate a small electric

current. So the handles of some acupuncture needles are made from metals like

copper, silver and gold with the needle itself being made from stainless steel. Needle

handles made with copper and silver get oxidized during use and storage, which

reduces their electrical conductivity making them unsuitable for electrical stimulation.

An average acupuncture needle is slightly thicker than a human hair and its insertion

is virtually painless. Many potential patients are dissuaded from trying acupuncture by

the pictures they see of acupuncture where long, thick needles are inserted into the

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Needle review
 
patient. This has given rise to the misconception that acupuncture is painful. This

misconception also arises from the belief that acupuncture needles are similar to

injection needles. There are several fundamental differences between acupuncture

needles and hypodermic needles used for giving an injection.

Normal acupuncture needles are so thin that they cannot be seen in a picture or on

television. The needles used for demonstration are far thicker than those used for

acupuncture. As you would appreciate, a silver needle slightly thicker than a human

hair is hard to see.

An acupuncture needle is very thin, ranging from 0.16 mm to 0.38 mm in thickness,

while injection needles range from 0.6 mm to 2 mm (in blood transfusion needles).

The tip of an acupuncture needle is conical in shape, which allows it to penetrate the

tissues separating the fibres of the muscle as it enters, without causing damage.

Similarly on removing the needle the separated fibres close smoothly around the

needle, preventing bleeding.

A hypodermic needle in contrast, has a sharp edge and its insertion cuts out a small

cylinder of flesh as it enters. This fact is used for carrying out a needle biopsy to

diagnose cancer. A hypodermic needle also has a hole through which a liquid is forced

while giving the injection. Once the medicine is injected it forces the cylinder of flesh,

into the place where the injection is given releasing painful substances called

prostaglandins. The forcing of the medicine into a closed space also causes pain.

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Needle review
 

In acupuncture, no fluid is injected into the body and as the needle does not have a

cavity in the middle; it is much thinner than a hypodermic needle. The sensation felt

when an acupuncture needle is inserted is very different from the sensation felt when a

hypodermic needle is used. In contrast to an injection, an acupuncture needle produces

its effect by altering the energy flow inside the human body.

Acupuncture needles come in various sizes and thicknesses ranging from two

millimetres to ten centimetres in length. The handles are one to three centimetres long.

The longest needles are used on fat people in areas where there is thick muscle and a

lot of fat, like the buttocks and hips. On the forehead hands and face, only the tip of

the needle is inserted. The depth of insertion of the needle varies from one millimetre

to about ten centimetres depending on the depth of the acupuncture point to be treated.

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Needle review
 

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Needle review
 

The Acupuncture Needles:16(p.35-40)

In ancient China, nine different types of needles were used for acupuncture.

Although they were called needles, some of them were really in the form of small

lances, while others had a small cutting edge. One type of needle had a ball point and

was used for micro massage (acu-massage) at the acupuncture point.

The following is a description of the types of needles in common use today.

a) The filiform needles

The filiform needle comprises a handle or holder, and a shaft. The handle

may be made of copper, bronze, aluminium, silver or stainless steel. Plastic

handled disposable acupuncture needles are also now available. The shaft

nowadays is always manufactured from stainless steel (astematic steel).

The length of these needles (i.e. the length of the shaft) varies from 0.5 inch

to 8 inches or more. The calibre (diameter) may range from gauge 26 to 34.

The following table shows the standard sizes available:

Length

Inches (cuns) 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 6.0

Millimetres 15 25 40 50 65 75 90 100 115 125 150

Diameter

Standard Wire Gauge No. 26 28 30 32 34

Millimetres 0.45 0.38 0.32 0.26 0.22

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Needle review
 

For general use the 1.0 inch or 1.5 inch long, No.28 or 30 needles are

preferred. Gauge No. 30 (i.e. the thinner needles) are particularly

recommended for points in the eye region, in children and for conditions where

minimum stimulation is needed. The longer needles are used for areas where

the muscular mass is thick. E.g. Huantiao (G.B.30) and in puncturing-through

technique, where the needle is directed from one point through to another. The

thicker needles, Gauge No.26 & 28 are used in regions where relatively

stronger stimulation is required.

b) The embedding needles

Also called the press needle and implanted needle, they come in several

shapes, depending on their use.

i) The thumbtack type: this looks like a small thumbtack. The body of the

needle is in the form of a small circle about 3mm in diameter and its tip stands

out at right angles to the circle. It penetrates to a depth of 2-3 mm. It is used

more commonly in ear acupuncture.

ii) The ‘fish tail’ type: This is similar to the thumbtack type, except that its shaft

lies at the same plane as its body. This needle is used on certain body

acupuncture points for continuous stimulation. It is inserted horizontally under

the skin, and then fixed with adhesive tape.

Both these types of needles are indicated in chronic conditions like bronchial

asthma, epilepsy & in painful condition like migraine. They may be kept in place
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Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 92 
 
Needle review
 
for up to seven days & are therefore, useful in providing mild stimulation of an

acupuncture point between treatment sessions. In warm weather it is advisable to

change the needle in about half this time.

iii) The spherical press needle (ball bearing type): This may also be used for

the same purpose. This is becoming more popular nowadays, as it is safer

because there is no chance of damage to cartilage and infection of the ear. It

consists of a tiny stainless steel ball which is fixed on the skin at acupuncture

point with adhesive porous tape.

iv) The muscle embedding needle: these are slightly longer than the fish tail

type and are used to allay very intractable painful conditions like phantom limb

pain and the pain of secondary cancer. The muscle embedding needle is left in

situ at local painful points in the muscle (Ah-Shi point) for a few days.

c) The “Plum Blossom” needle

This is known as the “Five Star” or “Seven Star” needle. It is made up of 5

or 7 short filiform needles attached to a holder at the end of long handle. The

plum blossom needle is used to tap on the skin along a channel or at specific

points. It is indicated in children, in weak patients, in skin diseases and in those

who dislike puncturing.

d) The three-edged (or prismatic) needle

This has a triangular point and is used to bleed certain areas in skin

disorders, arthritis & in acute emergencies. (In modern acupuncture a syringe

& an intravenous needle are used for the same purpose).

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Materials & Method
 

SECTION 3

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

¾ To review the literature on concepts of Marma & Traditional Chinese

Acupuncture Points.

¾ An attempt to establish the relevance of Marma Sthana with that of

Acupuncture Points.

¾ To evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Suchivyadha Chikitsa on Janu Marma in

Janu Sandhigata Vata. (Osteoathritis of the Knee Joint)

¾ To evaluate the Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture in the management of Janu

Sandhigata Vata. (Osteoathritis of the Knee Joint)

2. SOURCE OF DATA

Patients of Janu Sandhigata Vata who fulfiled the inclusion criteria were

randomly selected from outpatient & in patient Department of PG Studies in

shalyatantra, SJIIM Hospital.

3. SELECTION CRITERIA

¾ Diagnostic Criteria

Patients with classical signs & symptoms of Janusandhigata vata supplemented

with that of Osteoarthritis of Knee Joint like

1. Pain & restricted movement of the knee joint.

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Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 94
Materials & Method
 
2. Presence of crepitus

3. Tenderness

4. Presence of swelling

5. Radiological evidence of OA of knee

6. Janu Sandhi kriya kshamath in varying degree

3.1 Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria in the age group between 40 to 75

years are selected for the present study.

3.2 Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients having Janusandhi shoola due to trauma, fracture & dislocation.

2. Patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gouty Arthritis, Psoriatic

Arthritis & other inflammatory disease.

3. Patients suffering from tuberculosis & other infectious & malignant disease.

4. STUDY DESIGN

A total number of 40 patients were selected randomly for the present clinical

study. These 40 patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A & Group B, each

consisting of 20 patients.

¾ Group A

Patients of this group were treated daily by Suchivyadha on Janumarma

for 12 sessions & for about 30 minute duration.

¾ Group B

Patients of this group were treated daily by Acupuncture on

Acupuncture points for 12 sessions & for about 30 minute duration.


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Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 95
Materials & Method
 

4. MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THE STUDY

¾ Cotton Swab

¾ Tankana Jala

¾ Sterile, Packed Acupuncture Needle

¾ Kidney Trey

¾ Goniometry

¾ Measuring Tape

¾ Stop Clock

¾ Gas Stove

¾ Lighter

5. METHODOLOGY OF STUDY

The patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were evaluated for both

subjective & objective parameters.

¾ Measurement of Knee joint:

Circumference of the knee joint was measured with the help of

measuring tape in the following manner: -

The patient was asked to lie in relaxed supine position, breathe

easily and not to hold the knees tight. Both knees were exposed. The

circumferences of both the knees were measured just above the Patella.

GONIOMETRIC MEASUREMENT

The patient was first educated about the examination and was asked to lie in

supine position with both the legs flat on the table exposing the legs as far as

possible. While examining the female patients help of fellow female scholars

was sought. The fulcrum of the Goniometre was aligned with the lateral
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Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 96
Materials & Method
 
epicondyle of the femur. The stationary arm was placed in line with the greater

trochanter and midline of the femur. The moving arm was placed in line with

the lateral malleolus and midline of fibula. Then the patient was asked to bend

the knee as far as they can. The angle created was noted and recorded.

STUDY DESIGN

Group-A

Patient was made to sit comfortably on a chair, with the affected knee

well exposed. As a aseptic precaution the part was cleaned with tankana jala.

Then Suchi Vyadha was done on Janu Marma with delicate fine sterile

sookshma suchi on the following points for about 30 minutes.

Specific Points for Suchi Vyadha on Janu Marma

¾ Suchi Vyadha on most tender points, in & around the Janu Marma is done.

¾ One needle just above the superior border of the patella on the medial side is

punctured for about 1 cm depth.

¾ Just above the superior border of the patella on the lateral aspect of knee is

punctured for about 1 cm depth.

¾ One Centimeter below the apex of the patella a needle is punctured

perpendicularly up to 2 cm depth.

¾ Vyadhana on either end of the joint crease is done.

Group-B

Patient was made to sit comfortably on a chair, with the affected knee

well exposed. As a aseptic precaution the part was cleaned with tankana jala.

Then the Acupuncture was done with sterile Acupuncture needle on the

following Acupuncture points for about 30 minutes.


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Materials & Method
 

Acupuncture Points for Osteoarthritis of Knee

1. Baihui (Du.20)

This point is a meeting point of a hundred points & controls all

other points & channels in the body.

Location: Draw a straight line from the tip of the ear lobe to the apex of the

auricle & extend this line upwards on the scalp till it intersects the midline, the

point lies at this intersection.

II LOCAL POINTS

2. Ah-Shi Points-Most tender points

Ah-Shi in Chinese means “Oh Yes”, this being the verbal action of

the patient, when tender points are palpated.

2 to 3 maximum tender points in & around the knee joint are

punctured.

3. Heding (Ex.31)

On the mid point of the upper border of the patella.

Puncture-0.5 cun perpendicularly.

4. Xiyan (Ex.32)

In the depression on the medial side of the ligamentum patellae.

Puncture-0.5 cun perpendicularly.

5. Dubi (St.35)

The point on the lateral side of the ligamentum patellae.

Puncture-0.5 cun obliquely & medially.

6. Weizhong (UB.40)

At the mid point of the popliteal transverse crease.


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Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 98
Materials & Method
 
Puncture-0.5 to 1 cun perpendicularly.

5. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

¾ The improvements in the Subjective Parameters and Objective parameters

were assessed by scoring method. The subjective criteria (Table no.21) were

scored in accordance with Index of severity of Osteoarthritis of the Knee by

Lequesne et al & WOMAC. (Western Ontario & Mc Master Universities)

¾ The patients were assessed on 1st, 6th & 12th day of treatment.

Table No. 21 showing Subjective and objective parameters

Sl. No PARAMETER FINDINGS PONITS


PAIN OR DISCOMFORT
pain or discomfort during none
1 0
nocturnal bed rest
only on movement or in
1
certain positions
without movement 2
duration of morning < 1 minute
2 stiffness or pain after 0
getting up
> 1 minute but < 15 minutes 1
> 15 minutes 2
remaining standing for 30 no
3 0
minutes increases pain
yes 1
4 pain on walking none 0
only after walking some
1
distance
after initial ambulation and
increasingly with continued 2
ambulation
pain or discomfort after no
5 getting up from sitting 0
without use of arms
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Materials & Method
 
yes 1
WALKED MAXIMUM DISTANCE
maximum distance unlimited
6 0
walked
> 1 kilometer but limited 1
about 1 kilometer (about 15
2
minutes)
about 500 - 900 meters (about
3
8-15 minutes)
from 300 - 500 meters
4
from 100 - 300 meters
5
< 100 meters
6
walking aids required None
7 0
1 walking stick or crutch
1
2 walking sticks or crutches
2

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING


able to climb up a easily
8 0
standard flight of stairs
with mild difficulty
0.5
with moderate difficulty
1.0
with marked difficulty
1.5
impossible
2.0
able to climb down a easily
9 0
standard flight of stairs
with mild difficulty
0.5
with moderate difficulty
1.0
with marked difficulty
1.5
impossible
2.0
able to squat or bend at easily
10 0
the knee
with mild difficulty
0.5

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Materials & Method
 
with moderate difficulty
1.0
with marked difficulty
1.5
impossible
2.0
able to walk on uneven easily
11 0
ground
with mild difficulty
0.5
with moderate difficulty
1.0
with marked difficulty
1.5
impossible
2.0
12 Getting in or out of car easily
0
with mild difficulty
0.5
with moderate difficulty
1.0
with marked difficulty
1.5
impossible
2.0
13 Putting on or taking off easily
0
socks
with mild difficulty
0.5
with moderate difficulty
1.0
with marked difficulty
1.5
impossible
2.0

OBJECTIVE PARAMETER
14 Tenderness No tenderness
0
Patients complains of pain
1
Patients complains of pain
2
and winces
Patients complains of pain
3
and withdraws the joint
15 Crepitus No crepitus
0

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Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 101
Materials & Method
 
Palpable crepitus
1
Audible crepitus
2
16 Measurement of Right Just above the patella
knee joint
over the middle of the patella
Just below the patella
Measurement of Left Just above the patella
knee joint
over the middle of the patella
Just below the patella
17 Range of Movement Right Knee joint(Flexion)

Left Knee joint(Flexion)


18 Time taken to walk 50 In seconds with the help of a
metres distance on even stop clock
ground

FOLLOW UP PERIOD

Š After the treatment schedule, patient was advised to visit OPD once in 20 days

for a follow up period of 2 months for any recurrence or otherwise.

Š Criteria for assessment of total response of the treatment

The sum points of all the parameters of assessment before and after the

treatment were taken into consideration to assess the total effect of the treatment as

follows:-

1. Marked Improvement - Relief of 60-80%

2. Moderate Improvement - 30 to 60% relief

3. Mild Improvement - < 30% of relief

4. No Change - 0% relief

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Observations & Results

SECTION 4

OBSERVATIONS

A total of 40 patients were registered for the present study. 20 patients were

registered in group A & 20 patients were registered in Group B. All the patients were

examined before and after the treatment according to the case sheet format given in

the appendix. Changes in both the subjective and objective parameters were recorded.

The data recorded are presented here under the following heading:–

I. Demographic data

II. Data related to the disease

III. Data related to over all response to the treatment

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA

Table No 22: Showing Sex distribution in both the groups.

Groups Male % Female %


Group A 12 60% 8 40%
Group B 12 60% 8 40%
Total 24 60% 16 40%

Graph No.1: Showing Sex distribution in both the groups.

In this study it is observed that in Group A, 12 (60%) were male and 8 (40%)

were female. In Group B, 12 (60%) were male and 8 (40%) were female.
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Observations & Results

Table No.23: Showing overall response based on Sex of the patient

No
Group Sex Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
Change
Male 4 20 3 15 5 25 0 0
Group A
Female 4 20 3 15 1 5 0 0
Male 6 30 5 25 1 5 0 0
Group B
Female 4 20 3 15 1 5 0 0

Table No.24: Showing Age distribution in both groups.

Age Groups in Group A % Group B % Total %


years
41- 45 1 5% 3 15% 4 10%
46- 50 2 10% 2 10% 4 10%
51- 55 3 15% 1 5% 4 10%
56- 60 6 30% 8 40% 14 35%
61- 65 4 20% 3 15% 7 17.5%
65- 70 2 10% 2 10% 4 10%
71- 75 2 10% 1 5% 3 7.5%

Graph No.2: Showing Age distribution in both groups.

In the present study it is observed that in Group A 1patient in 41 to 45 years

age group, 2 in 46 to 50 years, 3 in 51- 55 years, 6 in 56- 60 years, 4 in 61- 65 years, 2

in 65- 70 years and 2 in 71- 75 years age group.

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Observations & Results

In Group B 3 patients 41 to 45 years age group, 2 in 46 to 50 years, 1 in 51-

55 years, 8 in 56- 60 years, 3 in 61- 65 years, 2 in 65- 70 years and 1 patient in 71- 75

years age group.

Table No.25: showing overall response based on age group.

No
Group Age group Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
change
41 - 45 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
46 - 50 1 5 0 0 1 5 0 0
51 - 55 1 5 2 10 0 0 0 0
Group
56 - 60 3 15 3 15 0 0 0 0
A
61 - 65 1 5 1 5 2 10 0 0
66 - 70 1 5 0 0 1 5 0 0
71 - 75 0 0 0 0 2 10 0 0
41 - 45 1 5 1 5 1 5 0 0
46 - 50 1 5 1 5 0 0 0 0
51 - 55 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group
56 - 60 4 20 3 15 1 5 0 0
B
61 - 65 1 5 2 10 0 0 0 0
66 - 70 1 5 1 5 0 0 0 0
71 - 75 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table No.26: Showing Occupation of the patients in both groups.

Occupation Group A % Group B % Total %


Business 7 35% 2 10% 9 22.5%
Official 5 25% 6 30% 11 27.5%
Housewife 8 40% 5 25% 13 32.5%
Labour 0 0% 7 35% 7 17.5%

Graph No.3: Showing Occupation of the patients in both groups.

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Observations & Results

Above table and graph suggests in Group A, 7 patients of Business class, 5 in

Official class, 8 were housewives, none of them were labour class. In Group B 2

patients in Business class, 6 each in official, 5 were housewives and 7 were in labour

class.

Table No. 27: showing overall response based on Occupation

No
Group Occupation Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
Change

Business 3 15 3 15 1 5 0 0
Official 4 20 3 15 1 5 0 0
Group A
Housewife 1 5 0 0 4 20 0 0
Labour 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Business 1 5 0 0 1 5 0 0
Group B Official 2 10 3 15 0 0 0 0
Housewife 3 15 3 15 0 0 0 0
Labour 4 20 2 10 1 5 0 0

Table No.28: Showing Religion of patients in both groups.

Religion Group A % Group B % Total %


Hindu 19 95% 19 95% 38 95%
Muslim 1 5% 1 5% 2 5%
Christian 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%

Graph No.4: Showing Religion of patients in both groups.

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Observations & Results

It is seen that 19 in Group A and Group B were Hindu, 1 each in both groups

were Muslim.

Table No.29: showing overall response based on Religion

No
Group Religion Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
Change

Hindu 8 40 6 30 5 25 0 0
Group A
Muslim 0 0 0 0 1 5 0 0
Hindu 9 45 8 40 2 10 0 0
Group B
Muslim 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table No.30: Showing SE Status of patient in both groups.

SE Status Group A % Group B % Total %


L.C 4 20% 5 25% 9 22.5%
M.C 10 50% 10 50% 10 50%
U.C 6 30% 5 25% 11 27.5%

Graph No.5: Showing SE Status of patient in both groups.

It is seen that in Group A 4 patient in LC, 10 in MC, 6 in LC. In Group B 5

patients in LC, 10 were in MC, 5 were in UC.

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Observations & Results

Table No.31: showing overall response based on Socio-economic Status

Socio-economic No
Group Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
Status Change

Lower class 3 15 0 0 1 5 0 0
Group
A
Middle class 3 15 6 30 1 5 0 0
Upper class 2 10 0 0 4 20 0 0
Lower class 2 10 2 10 1 5 0 0
Group
B Middle class 5 25 4 20 1 5 0 0
Upper class 3 15 2 10 0 0 0 0

Table No.32: Showing Chronicity of the disease in patients.

Chronicity Group A % Group B % Total %


<1yr 10 50% 10 50% 20 50%
1y - 2y 8 40% 5 25% 13 32.5%
2y - 3y 2 10% 5 25% 7 17.5%
>3y 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%

Graph No.6: Showing Chronicity of the disease in patients.

Above data shows in Group A 10 patients had history of disease below 1 year,

8 had 1y – 2y history, 2 had 2y- 3y history, no one had more than 3 years history. In

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Observations & Results

Group B 10 had within 1 year, 5 had 1y- 2y history, 5 had 2y- 3y history and no one

had more than 3 years history.

Table No. 33: showing overall response based on Chronicity

No
Group Chronicity Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
Change

< 1 year 5 25 4 20 1 5 0 0
Group 1–2 years 3 15 2 10 3 15 0 0
A
2-3 years 0 0 0 0 2 10 0 0
> 3 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
< 1 year 6 30 3 15 1 5 0 0
Group 1–2 years 1 5 3 15 1 5 0 0
B 2-3 years 3 15 2 10 0 0 0 0
> 3 years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Table No.34: Showing diet of patients of both groups.

Diet Group A % Group B % Total %


Vegetarian 12 60% 10 50% 22 55%
Mixed 8 40% 10 50% 18 45%

Graph No.7: Showing diet of patients of both groups.

It is observed that in Group A 12 were of vegetarian diet and 8 of mixed. In

Group B 10 each were of vegetarian diet and mixed.

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Observations & Results

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Observations & Results

Table No.35: showing overall response based on Diet

No
Group Diet Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
Change

Vegetarian 4 20 3 15 5 25 0 0
Group A
Mixed 4 20 3 15 1 5 0 0
Vegetarian 6 30 5 25 1 5 0 0
Group B
Mixed 4 20 3 15 1 5 0 0

Table No.36: Showing Family history of patients.

Family Group A % Group B % Total %


History
+ve 8 40% 6 30% 14 35%
-ve 12 60% 14 70% 26 65%

Graph No.8: Showing Family history of patients.

Family history shows positive in 8 and 6 patients in Group A and Group B

respectively, negative in 12 and 14 patients in Group A and Group B respectively.

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Observations & Results

Table No.37: showing overall response based on Family History

Family No
Group Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
History Change

Positive 2 10 1 5 5 25 0 0
Group A
Negative 6 30 5 25 1 5 0 0
Positive 3 15 3 15 2 10 0 0
Group B
Negative 7 35 5 25 0 0 0 0

Table No.38: Showing the area involved in disease in patients of both groups.

Area Group A % Group B % Total %


Right Knee 5 25% 6 30% 11 27.5%
Left Knee 6 30% 5 25% 11 27.5%
Both Knees 9 45% 9 45% 18 45%

It is observed that 5 and 6 patients had involvement of right knee in Group A

and B respectively, 6 and 5 patients had involvement of left knee in Group A and B

respectively, 9 each had both knee involvement in Group A and B.

Table No.39: showing overall response based on Area

No
Group Area Marked % Moderate % Mild % %
Change

Right Knee 3 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group
A
Left Knee 2 10 3 15 1 5 0 0
Both Knees 1 5 3 15 1 5 0 0
Right Knee 3 15 3 15 4 20 0 0
Group
B Left Knee 2 10 2 10 1 5 0 0
Both Knee 1 5 3 15 1 5 0 0

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Observations & Results

The sum points of all the parameters of assessment before and after the
treatment were taken into consideration to assess the total effect of the treatment as
follows:-

1. Marked improvement relief of >60%


2. Moderate improvement 30 to 60% relief
3. Mild improvement less than 30% of relief
4. No Change 0% relief

Table No.40: showing overall response for the treatment

Response
Marked Moderate Mild
No Change
Group improvement improvement improvement
No. of No. of No. of No. of
% % % %
patients patients patients patients
Group
8 40 6 30 6 30 0 0
A
Group
10 50 8 40 2 10 0 0
B

In Group A out of 20 patients 8 patients (40%) showed marked improvement,

6 patients (30%) showed moderate improvement & 6 patients (30%) showed mild

improvement.

In Group B out of 20 patients 10 patients (50%) showed marked improvement,

8 patients (40%) showed moderate improvement & 2 patients (10%) showed mild

improvement.

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Observations & Results

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Observations & Results

RESULTS

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:

Paired t test is applied for Group A and Group B for analyzing the individual

efficacy of treatment. Student t test is applied to compare efficacy of the two treatment

plans. Following results are obtained by statistical analysis.

Results in Group A:

Table No.41: Showing effect on Pain during nocturnal bed rest.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.8 0.4104 0.0918 8.718 19 P<0.001

12th 1.45 0.5104 0.1141 12.704 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.42: Showing effect on pain after getting up.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.5 0.5130 0.1147 4.359 19 P<0.001

12th 1.35 0.4894 0.1094 12.337 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

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Table No.43: Showing effect on standing for 30 min.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.2 0.4104 0.0918 2.179 19 P<0.05

12th 0.65 0.4894 0.1094 5.940 19 P<0.001

Test is significant on 6th day assessment with P value of P<0.05 and highly

significant on 12th day assessments with P value of P<0.001

Table No.44: Showing effect on walking.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.95 0.2236 0.05 19.0 19 P<0.001

12th 1.65 0.4894 0.1094 15.079 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.45: Showing effect on Morning stiffness.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.7 0.4702 0.1051 6.658 19 P<0.001

12th 1.55 0.6048 0.1352 11.461 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.46: Showing effect on stiffness later in day.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.05 0.6048 0.1352 7.764 19 P<0.001

12th 1.75 0.9105 0.2036 8.596 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.47: Showing effect on swelling in joint.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.65 0.5871 0.1313 4.951 19 P<0.001

12th 1.4 0.9947 0.2224 6.194 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.48: Showing effect on Maximum distance walked.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.9 0.3078 0.0688 27.606 19 P<0.001

12th 3.65 0.9881 0.2209 16.520 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.49: Showing effect on walking aid requirement.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.15 0.3663 0.819 1.831 19 P>0.05

12th 0.45 0.5104 0.1141 3.943 19 P<0.001

Test is significant on 6th day assessment with P value of P<0.05 and highly

significant on 12th day assessments with P value of P<0.001

Table No.50: Showing effect on able to climb up stairs.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.6750 0.2447 0.0547 12.337 19 P<0.001

12th 1.25 0.2565 0.0574 21.794 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.51: Showing effect on able to climb down stairs.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.7 0.2513 0.0562 12.457 19 P<0.001

12th 1.375 0.5350 0.1196 11.495 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.52: Showing effect on able to squat.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.8 0.2513 0.0562 14.236 19 P<0.001

12th 1.25 0.3804 0.0851 14.694 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.53: Showing effect on able to walk on uneven.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.9250 0.52 0.1163 7.955 19 P<0.001

12th 1.55 0.6669 0.1491 10.394 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.54: Showing effect on Getting in/ out of car.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.4375 0.25 0.0625 7.0 15 P<0.001

12th 0.9375 0.5439 0.1360 6.895 15 P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.55: Showing effect on putting on/ off socks.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.6389 0.2304 0.0543 11.762 17 P<0.001

12th 1.1111 0.3660 0.0863 12.878 17 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.56: Showing effect on tenderness.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.3 0.0402 1.051 12.365 19 P<0.001

12th 2.25 0.5501 0.1230 18.291 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.57: Showing effect on crepetus.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.35 0.4894 0.1094 3.199 19 P<0.01

12th 0.9 0.6407 0.1433 6.282 19 P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.01 and P<0.001respectively.

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Observations & Results

Table No.58: Showing effect on Measurement of Rt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.3571 0.4127 0.1103 3.238 13 P<0.001

12th 1.0 0.6504 0.1738 5.752 13 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.59: Showing effect on Measurement of Lt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.0 0.8756 0.2189 4.568 15 P<0.001

12th 1.6875 1.4009 0.3502 4.818 15 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.60: Showing effect on Movement of Rt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.0 0.3922 0.1048 9.539 13 P<0.001

12th 2.0 0.8771 0.2344 8.532 13 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.61: Showing effect on Movement of Lt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.1875 0.4031 0.1008 11.783 15 P<0.001

12th 1.9375 0.6801 1.17 11.396 15 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.62: Showing effect on time taken to walk 50m distance.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.25 0.4443 0.0993 12.583 19 P<0.001

12th 2.05 0.6863 0.1535 13.358 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.63: Showing effect on Radiological changes.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th - - - - - -

12th 0.65 0.2236 0.05 1.0 19 P>0.05

Test is insignificant on 12th day assessments with P value of P>0.05

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Observations & Results

This implies there is no much change I the radiological findings in Group A by 12

days.

Results of Group B:

Table No.64: Showing effect on pain during nocturnal bed rest.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.95 0.2236 0.05 19.0 19 P<0.001

12th 1.6 0.5026 0.1126 14.236 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.65: Showing effect on pain after getting up.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.7 0.4702 0.1051 6.658 19 P<0.001

12th 1.45 0.5104 0.1141 12.704 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.66: Showing effect on pain on standing for 30min.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.4 0.5026 0.1124 3.559 19 P<0.01

12th 0.7 0.4702 0.1051 6.658 19 P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.01 and P<0.001respectively.

Table No.67: Showing effect on walking.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.0 - - - - -

12th 1.7 0.4702 0.1051 16.170 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 12th day assessments with P value of P<0.001

Table No.68: Showing effect on morning stiffness.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.7 0.4702 0.1051 6.658 19 P<0.001

12th 1.45 0.7592 0.1698 8.542 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.69: Showing effect on stiffness later in day.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.1 0.7182 0.1606 6.85 19 P<0.001

12th 1.8 0.8944 0.2 9.0 19 P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.70: Showing effect on swelling in joint.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.75 0.6387 0.1128 5.252 19 P<0.001

12th 1.45 1.09 0.2458 5.9 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.71: Showing effect on Maximum distance walked.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.95 0.2236 0.05 39.0 19 P<0.001

12th 3.95 0.6863 0.1535 25.738 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.72: Showing effect on walking aid requirement.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.25 0.443 0.0993 2.517 19 P<0.05

12th 0.4 0.5026 0.1124 3.559 19 P<0.001

Test is significant on 6th day assessment with P value of P<0.05 and highly

significant on12th day assessment with P value of P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.73: Showing effect on Able to climb up stairs.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.65 0.2351 0.0526 12.365 19 P<0.001

12th 1.275 0.2552 0.0571 22.342 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.74: Showing effect on Able to climb down stairs.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.65 0.2351 0.0526 12.365 19 P<0.001

12th 1.275 0.4993 0.1117 11.419 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.75: Showing effect on squat.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.75 0.3035 0.0679 11.052 19 P<0.001

12th 1.2 0.3403 0.0761 15.771 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.76: Showing effect on walk on uneven

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.85 0.3663 0.819 10.376 19 P<0.001

12th 1.4 0.4472 0.01 14.0 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.77: Showing effect on getting in/ out of car.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.5357 0.2373 0.0634 8.446 13 P<0.001

12th 1.0 0.3922 0.1048 9.539 13 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.78: Showing effect on putting on/ off socks.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.625 0.2236 0.0559 11.180 15 P<0.001

12th 0.9688 0.4270 0.1067 9.076 15 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.79: Showing effect on Tenderness

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.25 0.5501 0.1230 10.162 19 P<0.001

12th 2.25 0.5501 0.1230 18.291 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.80: Showing effect on Crepitus.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.6 0.5026 0.1124 5.339 19 P<0.001

12th 1.15 0.5871 0.1313 8.759 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.81: Showing effect on Measurement of Rt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.5667 0.5936 0.1533 3.697 14 P<0.01

12th 1.3 1.0316 0.2664 4.880 14 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.01 and P<0.001respectively.

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Observations & Results

Table No.82: Showing effect on Measurement of Lt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 0.8571 0.9693 0.2591 3.309 13 P<0.01

12th 1.5357 1.4473 0.3868 3.970 13 P<0.01

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.01

Table No.83: Showing effect on Range of movement of Rt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.1333 0.5164 0.1333 8.5 14 P<0.001

12th 2.0667 0.7988 0.2063 10.02 14 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.84: Showing effect on range of movement of Lt knee.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.2857 0.4688 0.1253 10.262 13 P<0.001

12th 2.2143 0.5789 0.1547 14.311 13 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

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Observations & Results

Table No.85: Showing effect on time taken to walk 50m distance.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th 1.1 0.3078 0.0688 15.983 19 P<0.001

12th 2.0 0.4588 0.1026 19.494 19 P<0.001

Test is highly significant on 6th and 12th day assessments with P value of

P<0.001

Table No.86: Showing effect on radiological changes.

Day Mean SD SE t Value df P Value

6th - - - - - -

12th 0.15 0.3663 0.0819 1.831 19 P>0.05

Test is insignificant on 12th day assessments with P value of P>0.05

This implies there is no much change I the radiological findings in Group B by 12

days.

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Observations & Results

Results on Comparison of Group A and Group B:

Table No.87: Showing Results on Comparison of Group A and Group B:

Parameter Mean SE t Value df P


difference Value
1. Pain during nocturnal bed rest 0.15 0.16 0.9365 38 P>0.05
2. Pain after getting up 0.1 0.158 0.6324 38 P>0.05
3. Pain on standing for 30 min 0.05 0.152 0.3295 38 P>0.05
4. Pain on walking 0.05 0.152 0.3295 38 P>0.05
5. Morning stiffness 0.1 0.217 0.4607 38 P>0.05
6. Stiffness later in day 0.05 0.285 0.1752 38 P>0.05
7. Swelling in joint 0.05 0.33 0.1515 38 P>0.05
8. Max distance walked 0.3 0.269 1.1152 38 P>0.05
9. Walking aid required 0.05 0.16 0.3122 38 P>0.05
10. Able to climb up stairs 0.025 0.128 0.1959 38 P>0.05
11. Able to climb down stairs 0.1 0.164 0.6111 38 P>0.05
12. Able to squat 0.05 0.114 0.4380 38 P>0.05
13. Able to walk on uneven 0.15 0.18 0.8354 38 P>0.05
14. Getting in/ out of car 0.0625 0.175 0.3562 28 P>0.05
15. Putting on/ off socks 0.1423 0.136 1.0465 32 P>0.05
16. Tenderness 0 0.174 0 38 -
17. Crepitus 0.25 0.194 1.2866 38 P>0.05
18. Rt knee measurement 0.3 0.323 0.9288 27 P>0.05
19. Lt knee measurement 0.1518 0.521 0.2916 28 P>0.05
20. Range of Rt knee movements 0.0667 0.311 0.2143 27 P>0.05
21. Range of Lt knee movements 0.2768 0.232 1.1909 28 P>0.05
22. Time taken to walk 50m distance 0.05 0.185 0.2709 38 P>0.05
23. Radiological changes 0.1 0.096 1.0421 38 P>0.05

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Observations & Results

Above table suggests that for parameter Tenderness difference of mean is 0.

This implies test is insignificant. Both treatments are equal in the parameter

Tenderness.

In all other 22 parameter test shows insignificance with P value of >0.05

This implies in all parameters both treatments are statistically equal in efficacy.

Graph No.9: Showing means of Pain after getting up, pain on walking and

Morning stiffness in Group A

1.8
1.6 1.65
1.55
1.4
1.35
1.2 pain after getting 
up
1
0.95
pain on walking
0.8
0.7
0.6 morning stiffness
0.5
0.4
0.2
0
6th day 12th day

Graph No.10: Showing the means of swelling, tenderness and Crepitus in Group A

2.5
2.25
2

1.5 swelling
1.4
1.3
tenderness
1
0.9 crepetus
0.65
0.5
0.35

0
6th day 12th day

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Observations & Results

Graph No.11: Showing means of Pain after getting up, pain on walking in Group B

Graph No.12: Showing means of morning stiffness and stiffness later in day in
Group B

Graph No.13: Showing the means of swelling, tenderness and crepetus in Group B

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Discussion

DISCUSSION

As the name suggests, Sandhigata Vata is one of the nanatmaja Vata Vyadhi

affecting the joints of the body. It is explained under the various gata Vata vyadhis.

Here the kupita Vata gets localized in Sandhis leading to the manifestation of disease.

Asthi dhatu is the ashraya sthana of Vata dosha, and Vata vruddhi results in Asthi

kshaya. In Sandhigata Vata both these features can be seen.

In modern system of medicine, it is grouped under Rheumatology. OA is a

slowly progressive degenerative disease of joints which shows a strong association

with aging and is a major cause of pain and disability in the elderly. Risk factors

outlined for OA varies with joint sites. OA of the knee joints is the most common

form of OA; hence the present study was designed on management of Janu Sandhigata

Vata (OA of Knee Joint).

SHAREERA: Though the words sound different, there is not much difference in the

description of joint anatomy in Ayurvedic and modern systems of medicine. Sandhi is

not a single structure rather it is an organ. Different structures like Snayu, Kandara,

Siras, Peshi etc. support the stability of the Sandhi. Large numbers of Snayus which

bind Sandhis tightly are responsible for bearing the body weight. Functions of the

Peshis and Snayus are identical to that of the muscles and ligaments related to the

joints. Shleshmadharakala situated in the joints supported by Shleshaka Kapha helps

in lubrication. Functions of the Shleshmadhara kala and Shleshaka Kapha described

in Ayurveda can be co-related to the Synovial membrane and Synovial fluid situated in

Synovial joint which lubricates the joint, a nutrient carrier to the cartilage, disc, and

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Discussion

helps in keeping the joint firmly united. The Marmas are considered as the point of

union of nerves, vessels and muscular system, which are vital in the structure and

functioning status of the joints.

Knee works as a hinge joint, but the articulation is more complex than other

hinge joints which is supported by seven major ligaments, flexor and extensor

muscles.

NIDANA AND SAMPRAPTI: No specific nidana for Sandhigata Vata has been

described in the Ayurvedic classics, hence general nidanas of Vata vyadhis are

considered here. Consumption of rooksha ahara, laghu ahara, alpa bhojana, and

abhojana are considered as Vata prakopaka karanas. Above type of food habit

deprives a person of nutrients which are essential for the replacement of worn-out

tissues and maintenance of normal physiological activities. Sushruta opines that in

vardhakya the poshaka Rasa Dhatu supports the Rasadhi Dahtus in such a way as to

sustain the life, but fails to correct the Dhatu kshaya occuring due to the old age. The

Dhatu kshaya supplemented by the Vatakara ahara leads to Vata prakopa. Various

physical activities such as Bharaharana, pradhavana, adhwa, ati yana, vishamasana,

abhighata are important viharaja nidanas of Sandhigata Vata. Repetitive movements

may lead to excessive strain leading to erosion and joint damage. Major trauma and

repetitive joint use are important risk factors for OA. Obesity is one of the major risk

factors for knee OA. In sthoulya, ati matra medo vruddhi hampers the poshana of the

rest of the dhatus, leading to Dhatu kshaya. In this case Asthi dhatu kshaya leading to

Vata prakopa and more weight on knee joints, resulting in joint damage.

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Discussion

LAKSHANAS: Sandhi shula, Sandhi shotha, prasarana akunchanayoho savedana

pravrutti and atopa are the important clinical features of Sandhigata Vata. This is

similar to the general clinical features of OA viz. joint swelling, marginal tenderness,

Painful and restricted joint movement associated with joint stiffness and crepitus.

CHIKITSA: Janu Sandhi Gata Vata or Osteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of

disability among adults. No cure for osteoarthritis currently exists. Treatment focuses

on managing the pain and dysfunction associated with the disease. Acupuncture is an

effective treatment for management of pain and physical dysfunction associated with

osteoarthritis of the knee. Since Janusandhigata Vata manifests in Janu Marma, Suchi

Veda (an art of introducing delicate fine Suchi into different sensitive points in and

around janu marma with in the radius of 3 angula) is done to stimulate janu marma &

in turn to stimulate sandhi avayava’s present in it, so that it helps in relieving the pain

& promotes sandhi poshana & thus helps in early repair of dhatu kshayata & restores

normal joint integrity.

                CLINICAL STUDY: This is a controlled clinical study conducted on Janu Sandhigata Vata

with special reference to OA of knee joint. After registering the patients who fulfil the

inclusion criteria, they were randomly allotted into two groups. Patients of group A were

treated daily by Suchiveda on Janumarma for 12 sessions & for about 30 minute

duration. And Patients of group B were treated daily by Acupuncture on Acupuncture

points for 12 sessions & for about 30 minute duration.

A total of 40 patients were registered for the study.

Patients under Group A: 20 Patients under Group B: 20

Completed treatments : 20 Completed treatments : 20

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Discussion

Dropout :0 Dropout :0

OBSERVATIONS: The data available from the observations made during the

study are discussed here

Age: In this study the upper age limit was restricted to 75 years with equal distribution

of patients in all the age groups. Patients after 75 may not tolerate Suchi Veda

Chikitsa hence age restriction was done up to 75 yrs. In the present study it is

observed that in Group A 1(5%) patient in 41 to 45 years age group, 2 (10%) in 46 to

50 years, 3 (15%) in 51- 55 years, 6 (30%) in 56- 60 years, 4(20%) in 61- 65 years,

2(10%) in 65- 70 years and 2(10%) in 71- 75 years age group.

In Group B 3(15%) patients 41 to 45 years age group, 2(10%) in 46 to 50

years, 1(5%) in 51- 55 years, 8(40%) in 56- 60 years, 3(15%) in 61- 65 years, 2(10%)

in 65- 70 years and 1(5%) patient in 71- 75 years age group.

With this above data we can say that after 40 yrs of age people are more prone

to Osteoarthritis of the knee & OA of knee is a major cause of disability among adults.

Sex: In this study it is observed that in Group A, 12 (60%) were male and 8 (40%)

were female. In Group B, 12 (60%) were male and 8 (40%) were female. But

generally Female sex is a risk factor for Knee OA, and Radiographic evidence of knee

OA and especially symptomatic knee OA is more common in women than in men.

Here the male patient’s ratio is more, it may be accidental & because the sample size

is less we cannot take it as authenticated. Larger sample study says female ratio is

more in OA of knee.

Occupation: In group A house wife are more affected (40%), where as in group B

both officials & laborers are more affected (30% & 35%). May be house wises are

nearing their menopausal age they are more affected. The previous report by
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Discussion

Husskison and Dudley – 1978 – says that Osteoarthritis is more common in

menopause women with the ratio of female to male 2:1. People who do more physical

labor, which involves long hours of working in fields, lifting weights, standing for

long hours and traveling are more affected with OA. Knee joint is a weight bearing

joint, hence the constant standing, walking long distances, lifting weights etc activities

exerts stress on the joints and accelerates the process of degeneration. However the

sample size is very small to arrive at any conclusion about the relation between OA

and Occupation.

Religion: In this present study it is seen that 95% in Group A and Group B were

Hindus, 5% each in both groups were Muslim. With this can say that, in our hospital

majority of the patients who come for Ayurvedic treatment are Hindus & OA

manifests in later age of life irrespective of caste & religion & there is no significant

relationship between disease manifestation & religion.

Socio-economic Status: It is seen that in Group A 20% of patients were from Lower

Class, 50% from Middle Class, 30% from Upper Class. In Group B 25% of patients

were from Lower Class, 50% were from Middle Class, 25% were from Upper Class.

With this we can say that most of the people who come to Govt. Hospital for treatment

are from Lower & Middle Class people. And OA affects irrespective of Socio-

economic status of people.

Chronicity of the Disease: In Group A 50% of patients had history of disease below

1 year, 40% had 1y – 2y history, 10% had 2y- 3y history, and no one had more than 3

years history. In Group B 50% had within 1 year, 25% had 1y- 2y history, 25% had

2y- 3y history and no one had more than 3 years history. Majority of patients are from

1yr chronicity, this shows that now a day’s people are very much aware about their

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 136
Discussion

problems & they are health conscious & they want to get rid of their problem as early

as possible, and hence they seek medical advice at the earliest.

Food Habit: It is observed that in Group A 60% of patients were vegetarian and 40%

of patients were mixed diet. And In Group B 50% each were of vegetarian diet and

mixed. This does not seem to have any important role to play as far as Sandhivata is

concerned.

Family History: It is positive in 40% and 30% patients in Group A and Group B

respectively, negative in 60% and 70% patients in Group A and Group B respectively.

Number of Knees affected: 50% patients each were affected with bilateral and

unilateral knee OA. Majority of the patients with unilateral OA showed marked

improvement. The response was better in Group B than in Group A. This shows that

unilateral OA responds to the treatment better than bilateral OA. In chronic conditions

with bilateral OA the damage done to the joint is more and it is difficult to repair the

damage.

RESULTS:
Subjective parameters:
I. PAIN OR DISCOMFORT:

Marked relief was observed in pain or discomfort during nocturnal bed rest. In Group

A 70% of patient got relief & were as in Group B 90% of patients got relief.

Pain after getting up from sitting position: In Group A 65% improvement was

found in pain after getting up, where as in Group B there was 75% relief.

Increase in pain after remaining standing for 30 minutes:

In group A the mean score before treatment was 0.95, which was reduced to 0.30 after

the treatment, with a reduction of 65% of pain which was significant. In group B the

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 137
Discussion

mean score before the treatment was also 0.8, but it reduced to 0.1 after the treatment,

with a reduction of 70% of pain which was highly significant. This shows that the pain

reduced better in the patients of group B than in the patients of group A.

Pain on walking: In group A there was 70% relief in pain, where as in group B there

was 90% relief in pain. This shows that Group B is much better in pain management

because of its universally accepted accurate acupuncture points which has been in

practiced since thousands of years & some of acupuncture points helps in Motor

Recovery.

Stiffness: There was 45% & 65% relief in morning stiffness & stiffness later in the

day in Group A & in Group B there was 55% & 75% relief respectively. Once the

pain is reduced the muscles around the joint relaxes & in turn helps in reduction of

stiffness.

Swelling in the Joint: In Group A there was 40% relief in the swelling, where as in

Group B there was 50% relief. With this we can say that acupuncture or suchi veda is

much better in pain management.

II. MAXIMUM DISTANCE WALKED:

There was significant improvement in quality of walking in both the groups. In

Group A 20% & in Group B 40% patients were able to walk UN limited distance,

45% each in both the groups able to walk more than 1 kilometre & 35% & 15% were

able to walk about 1kilometre. It’s natural that when pain & stiffness is reduced

patients were comfortable in walking after treatment.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 138
Discussion

In Group A & Group B there was 45% & 40% improvements was seen in using

walking aids respectively. Improvement is less when compared to other parameter

because, patient uses walking aids only in severe OA when there is disturbance in

joint anatomy, both these treatments to far extent is good at giving relief in sign &

symptoms rather than reversing the degeneration.

III. ACITIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING:

There was significant difference in Climbing up & climbing down standard

flight of stairs after treatment in Group A & Group B, but when compared to Group A,

Group B was little better because acupuncture is good at motor function recovery.

In Group A & Group B flexibility of the knee improved significantly &

reduction in pain while squatting was noticed.

In both the Group there was 75% improvement in pain on walking on uneven

surface. This shows that both the treatment are significant in improving the joint

stability.

In Group A there was 68.75% & 71.5% & in Group B 85.68% & 81.25%

improvement in Getting in or out of car & putting or taking of socks respectively.

Overall better improvements were observed in activities of daily living in

patients of group B than in group A. Since in Group A the points used are only local

the effect is less, where as in Group B i.e. in acupuncture both local & distal points are

used which has a Analgesic, Homeostatic (regulatory) & Motor recovery action.

IV. OBJECTIVE PARAMETERS:

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 139
Discussion

There was 65% relief in tenderness in Group A & 85% relief in Group B, this

shows that Acupuncture is having good Analgesic action, hence WHO recommends

acupuncture for pain management. Exact sensitive points for stimulation on janu

marma (which is 3 angula pramana) should be identified for obtaining better analgesic

action.

There was 60% relief in crepitus in Group A & 70% relief in Group B. This shows

that the treatment increased localized blood circulation which in turn helped in

nourishing shleshaka kapha & cartilage.

There was considerable reduction in measurement of knee in Group B when compared

Group A was observed; this is because of anti inflammatory action of acupuncture

treatment.

In Group A there was 57.12% & 50% & in Group B 73.26% & 71.42%

improvement in Range of Movement in right knee & left knee was found respectively.

In Group A & Group B there was only 1 & 3 patients respectively showed very

slight change in X-ray after treatment. In remaining 36 patients it was unchanged. This

shows that in both groups X-ray changes was in significant. So probably more number

of treatment sittings are necessary to repair the worn-out cartilage and articular

surfaces to get significant changes with respect to Joint space, Osteophytes and other

radiological features.

PROBABLE MODE OF ACTION OF SUCHI VEDA

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 140
Discussion

Suchi veda stimulates janu marma & in turn it stimulates Sandhi Avayava’s present in

it & helps in relieving the pain. It also promotes sandhi poshana & thus helps in early

repair of Dhatu Kshayata & restores normal joint integrity.

When suchi veda is done it increases the sthanika agni, it improves the blood local

blood circulation & helps in cartilage regeneration & in turn reduces pain.

In janu Sandhi gata vata there will be vata vriddhi, in turn there will be increase in

sheeta guna, which causes stiffness of the joint, when suchi veda is done it increases

ushmata & subsides sheeta guna & thus helps in relieving signs & symptoms of janu

Sandhi gata vata.

Suchi veda activates the doshas present in the janu marma and brings them into

harmony through a controlled way of pricking & subsides signs & symptoms of janu

Sandhi gata vata.

PROBABLE MODE OF ACTION OF ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is thought to relieve pain through the gate-control mechanism or through

the release of neurochemicals. Pomeranz and Berman describe the possible neural

mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia as follows: small diameter muscle afferents are

stimulated, sending impulses to the spinal cord, which then activates 3 centers (spinal

cord, midbrain, and pituitary) to release neurochemicals (endorphins and

monoamines) that block pain messages. They discuss 17 different lines of research in

support of endorphins being involved in acupuncture pain relief. While

acknowledging that there is some debate, Pomeranz and German conclude that the

evidence supporting the endorphin hypothesis is overpowering. The authors assert on


A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of
their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 141
Discussion

the basis of supporting evidence from several studies, that midbrain monoamines

(serotonin and nor epinephrine) are also involved in acupuncture analgesia; however,

the role of the pituitary is less clear.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 142
Conclusion

CONCLUSION

After systematic clinical trials, based on the observations, results & discussions

following conclusions are drawn.

9 Sandhigata Vata is a type of Vata vyadhi commonly associated with the

vardhakya and dhatu kshaya is a prominent feature in its manifestation.

9 Janu Sandhigata Vata or Osteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of

disability among adults.

9 Old age, female sex, obesity and repeated trauma are the main risk factors

for Osteoarthritis of Knee joint.

9 No cure for osteoarthritis currently exists. Treatment focuses on managing

the pain and dysfunction associated with the disease.

9 Treatment responses of all subjective & objective parameters were highly

significant in both the groups. However Group B showed good

improvements when compared to Group A.

9 Both Suchi Vyadha Chikitsa & Acupuncture is cost effective & eco-

friendly.

9 Suchi Vyadha Chikitsa & Acupuncture treatments are simple technique

that can be useful as a nondrug method of pain control.

9 The better response for Acupuncture is due to use of both local & distal

points in treating OA & its exact location of Acupuncture Points.

9 Acupuncture & Suchi Vyadha is an effective treatment for management of

pain and physical dysfunction associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.

9 No complications were observed during the study.


A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of
their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 142 
Conclusion

Suggestion for further research:

¾ To Study on Meridians (Channels) in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Srotos

in Ayurveda.

¾ To Study the Analgesic effect of Suchi Vyadha on Gridrasi & other vata

vyadhis.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 143 
Summary

SUMMARY

This dissertation entitled “A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture

Points and Evaluation of their Therapeutic Importance comprises of

six parts viz. Introduction, Literary review, Materials and Methods, Discussion,

Conclusion and Summary.

I. INTRODUCTION:

The introduction gives a brief account of need and scope for the study and the

rationality behind selecting the procedure and objectives of the study.

II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

Literary review is subdivided into 4 chapters namely Review of Marma,

Review of Acupuncture, Disease review and Acupuncture needle review.

Review of Marma: In this chapter the historical aspect, vyutpatti, nirukti,

classification of Marma, composition of Marma, its anguli pramana & its viddha

lakshana have been explained.

Review of Acupuncture: This section deals with History, Traditional theory,

Acupunture points & meridians & Chinese traditional diagnosis.

Comparison of Ayurveda & Acupuncture: This chapter deals with comparison of

basic principles of Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine, like Shrushti Utpatti

Krama, Pancha Mahabhoota theory, Prana & Qi, Prakrithi & De, Nadi & Meridian

And Marma & Acupuncture Points.

Disease review: Under this heading the vytpatti, nirukti of the Janu Sandhigat Vata,

functional anatomy of Janu sandhi, Nidana panchaka of Janu Sandhigata Vata with

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 144 
Summary

treatment along with modern aspects of Knee joint and Osteoarthritis are described in

brief.

Procedure Review: In this chapter history of suchi vyadha, suchi vyadha procedure

& suchi vyadha for different purpose is mentioned.

Acupuncture needle review: History, different type of acupuncture needle, its length

& diameter is explained in this chapter.

III. MATERIALS AND METHOD:

The second part of the study begins with Materials and Methods, where in

description regarding the aims and the objectives, criteria of selection of patients,

details of inclusion and exclusion criteria, diagnostic and assessment criteria for

assessing the effects of the therapies and actual course of the trial have been

explained.

IV. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS:

Thereafter general observations of the 40 patients of Janu Sandhigata Vata

studied are presented in tabular form along with brief description of each finding and

graphs. In the end the results along with statistical analysis of the results obtained are

depicted.

V. DISCUSSION: This section contains discussion about review of literature,

materials & methods, observations & results & mode of action of procedure.

VI. CONCLUSION: This section deals with the conclusions regarding the whole

study & recommendations for further study.

VII. SUMMARY: This is the gist of all the sections of this dissertation work.

A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 145 
                                                                                                                                               Bibliography 

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A Comprehensive Study on Marma & Acupuncture Points And Evaluation of


their Therapeutic Importance.
Dept. of PG Studies in Shalyatantra, GAMC, Bangalore. 149
INFORMED CONSENT FORM

I ..................………………... here by willingly agree to participate in this

clinical study. I affirm that there has been no compulsion or monetary inducement in

my agreeing to be volunteer for this study, which I do on my free will. I have been

explained the general purpose of the experiment. I am convinced that it is for my

benefit & for the benefit of science and mankind. I understand that the risk involved is

very less. I agree to undergo following investigations.

1. Radiological examination

2. Blood investigations

I also agree to remain under observation for 2 months period.

I can apt out the study at any time.

Signature of the investigator Signature of the Volunteer

Signature of the Guide


DEPARTMENT OF P.G. STUDIES IN SHALYATANTRA.

GOVERNMENT AYURVEDIC MEDICAL COLLEGE, BANGALORE-560009

PROFORMA OF CASE SHEET FOR JANU SANDHIGATA VATA

GROUP- A/GROUP- B

PART – I ADMISSION FORM

PG Scholar: - DR.VIVEK.J

Guide: - DR.VENKATESH.B.A

1. Name of the patient : Reg. No:

2. Father’s / Husband’s Name : OPD No:

3. Age : IPD No:

4. Sex : M F Bed No:

8. Address : _____________________________ Phone No:


_____________________________ Email ID:
_____________________________

9. Educational Status: - Illiterate/ Read and Write/ Graduate/ Post Graduate

10. Occupation: - Desk work/ Field work/ Physical labor/ House wife/others

Indicate Nature of work: -

11. Socio-economic status: - P/LM/UM/R

12. Religion: - Hindu/Muslim/Christian/Others

13. Marital status: - Unmarried/Married/Widow/Widower/Divorcee

14. Date of Initiation :

15. Date of Completion :

16. Result :
PART II/CASE RECORD

1. CHIEF COMPLAINTS:-

Sl. Chief complaints Duration After Treatment


No
JanuSandhi shotha/
1 Vatapoorna druti sparsha
(Swelling)

Prasarana Akunchanayoho
2 Savedana Pravrutthi (Pain
on extension & flexion)
Sandhigraha (Joint
Stiffness)
3 - Morning stiffness
(0 - 30 minutes)
- Stiffness after disuse
4 Limitation of joint
movement
5 Shoola (Tenderness)
6 Atopa (Crepitation)

NATURE Pricking Aching Generalized Tearing Burning


OF
PAIN:
ROUTINE ACTIVITIES AFFECTED: Yes No

2. HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS:

3. HISTORY OF PAST ILLNESS:


4. TREATMENT Modern Medicine
HISTORY: Ayurvedic Medicine/Therapy
Other Systems
Relief with previous treatment Partial / No relief

Other
5. FAMILY HISTORY:
OA RA Joint
disorder
6. PERSONAL HISTORY:

1. Ahara: Veg Non Veg

2. Agni: Manda Teekshna Vishama Sama

3. Koshta;
Madhya Mrudu Krura

4. Nidra: Sukha Alpa Ati Vishama

5. Vyasana: Smoking Tobacco Alcohol Others None

7. OBSTETRIC HISTORY:

GYNAECOLOGICAL
HISTORY: M.C._____ Days R/IR: Menarche _____ yrs

Dysmenorrhoea/Leucorrhoea/Metrorrhagia/Menorrhagia

PARIKSHA VIDHI/EXAMINATION
1. VITAL SIGNS:
Weight in Height in Temperature in Degree
Kgs Cms Celsius

Pulse rate per Respiration


Blood Pressure in mm Hg
minute per Minute
2. ASHTA STHANA PAREEKSHA

Nadi: - /min, regular/irregular

Jihva: - Alipta/Ishat Lipta/Lipta

Mala: - Badda/Abadda, Sama/Nirama ____ Times/Day

Mutra: - Prakruta/Vikruta ____ Times/Day


Shabda: - Prakruta/Vikruta

Sparsha: -Mrudu/Khara

Druk: - Prakruta/Kunchita

Akruti: - Sthula/Madhyama/Heena

3. Atura Bhoomi Desha Pareeksha

Jangala Jangala
Jangala
Jata Vardhita Vyadhita
Anupa Anupa Anupa

Sadharana Sadharana Sadharana

4. Atura Deha Desha Pareeksha:

DASHAVIDHA PAREEKSHA

1 PRAKRUTI Shareera
Manasika
2 SARATAHA Pravara Madhyama Avara
3 SAMHANANA Madhyama
Susamhata Asamhata
TAHA samhata
4 SAATMYATA Rasa Ekarasa Sarvarasa Vyamishra
HA Vihara Divasvapna Vyayama
5 PRAMANATA
Sama Heena Adhika
HA
6 SATVATAHA Pravara Madhyama Avara
7 AHAARA
SHAKTITAH Pravara Madhyama Avara
A
8 VYAYAMA
Avara
SHAKTITAH Pravara Madhyama
A
9 VAYATAHA Bala Yuva Vriddha
4. SROTO PAREEKSHA: -

RASAVAHA SROTAS;-

ASTHIVAHA SROTAS: -

MEDOVAHA SROTAS:-

OTHER SROTAS:-

6. SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION: -

C.V.S: -

R.S.: -

G.I.T.: -

NERVOUS SYSTEM: -

7. SPECIAL EXAMINATION OF JOINTS

A. Darshana Pareeksha:

1) Joint Present Absent


Right Knee
Swelling:
Left Knee Present Absent

2) Deformity: Present Absent

3) Joint
Movement: Active Completely Restricted Partially restricted
Passive Completely Restricted Partially restricted

4) Muscle Wasting: Present Absent


B. Sparshana (Palpation)

1. Local Temperature Raised Not raised

2. Tenderness 0 1 2 3
Grading

3. Crepitus: Heard Felt None

5. Measurement: -
Circumference of Right
Knee
Knee Joint
Left
Knee

8. Range of Movement (Goniometric Measurement)

Normal Before After


Reading Treatment Treatment
ROM-
Extension of 120-0 degree
Knee
ROM-Flexion 0-130 degree
of Knee

Hb% Total Count (WBC)


6. Lab
Random Blood
Investigations: ESR /1st Hr. Mg/dl
Sugar
9. RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF KNEE JOINTS
(Antero- posterior/ Lateral View)

1 Reduced Unaltered
Joint space
2 Subchondral bony sclerosis Present Absent
3 Formation of osteophytes Present Absent
4 Periarticular ossicles Present Absent
5 Others

CHIKITSA VIDHI

Group A

Patients of this group were treated daily by Suchivyadha on Janumarma for 12


sessions & for about 30 minute duration.

Group B

Patients of this group were treated daily with Acupuncture on Acupuncture


points for 12 sessions & for about 30 minute duration.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:-

I. SUBJECTIVE PARAMETRERS:
I II III IV V
1 Pain
2 Morning Stiffness
Stiffness later in the day
Remaining standing
3
for 30minutes
4 Pain on walking
Pain or Discomfort after
5 getting up from sitting
without use of arms
6 Maximum distance Walked
7 Walking aids required
Able to climb up flights
8
of stairs
9 Able to climb down flight of stairs
10 Able to squat or bend at Knee
11 Able to walk on uneven surface

12 Swelling in the joint


13 Getting in or out of car

14 Putting on or taking off socks

II. OBJECTIVE PARATERS:


I II III IV V
1 Tenderness
2 Crepitus
3 Measurement
of knee Rt. Knee
at fixed points
Lt. Knee

4 Range of Movement
(Knee flexion)
(Goniometric Measurement)
5 Time taken to walk
50 Meters distance

6 Radiological Changes After


treatment

INVESTGATOR’S NOTE:-

Signature of Investigator Signature of the Guide


Clinical Observations in Suchi Veda Chikitsa (Group‐A) Pain  Pain  Pain on  Pain on  Morning  Stiffness  Swelling  Maximu Walking  Able to  Able to  Able to  Able to walk  Getting in  Putting on  Tendern Crepitus Measurement of Rt  Measurement of  Range of  Range of  Time taken  Radiologi Over All Relief
t lk 50
BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12
Sl.No. NAME OP/IP NO. AGE  SEX OCCUPATION RELIGION CHRONICITY  DIET FAMILY HISTORY SE DATE OF COM DATE OF COMP JOINT AFFECTED
1 Kulvanthkaur OP.13825 56 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 12 VEG POSITIVE MC 4/28/2010 5/9/2010 LEFT KNEE 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 3 1 0 3 2 1 6 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 3 1 0 2 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 55‐3 52‐0 50‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 Para‐ MOD Imp
2 Ramesh IP.815 48 M BUISNESSMAN HINDU 10 MIXED NEGATIVE LC 5/1/2010 5/12/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 3 1 1 3 2 0 6 4 2 1 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0 1.5 1 0 1.5 1 0 1.5 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 36.5‐3 36‐2 35‐1 37‐3 36.5‐2 36‐1 3 2 0 3 1 0 3 1 0 3 3 2 16 Para‐ Mar Imp
4 Murthy IP.533 60 M BUISNESSMAN HINDU 18 MIXED NEGATIVE MC 6/4/2010 6/15/2010 RIGHT KNEE 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 6 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 1 0 2 1 0 33‐3 32‐1 31‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 3 3 3 11 Para‐ Mod Imp
5 Narayana Shetty OP.32508 60 M BUISNESSMAN HINDU 6 VEG POSITIVE MC 6/8/2010 6/19/2010 RIGHT KNEE 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 30‐Mar 29‐Jan 29‐Jan ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 3 3 3 17 Para‐ Mar Imp
6 Manjiththaya R.V OP.19593 66 M OFFICIAL HINDU 36 VEG POSITIVE UC 6/12/2010 6/23/2010 RIGHT KNEE 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 32‐3 32‐3 32‐3 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 1 0 3 3 3 17 Para‐ Mar Imp
8 Indira OP.34370 55 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 6 VEG POSITIVE MC 8/2/2010 8/13/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 6 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1.5 1 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 1.5 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 32‐3 31.5‐2 31‐Jan 33‐3 32‐1 31‐0 3 2 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 Para‐ MOD Imp
11 Jayamma IP.595 52 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 18 MIXED NEGATIVE MC 8/20/2010 8/31/2010 BOTH KNEE 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 37‐3 36‐1 35‐0 37‐3 37‐3 36‐1 2 2 1 2 1 0 3 1 0 3 3 3 17 Para‐ Mar Imp
13 Nagaraj OP.13819 60 M OFFICIAL HINDU 30 VEG NEGATIVE UC 9/4/2010 9/15/2010 LEFT KNEE 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 1 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 0.5 0 0 2 1 1 2 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 45‐3 45‐3 45‐3 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 12 Para‐ MOD Imp
14 Vasudeu OP.14090 58 M OFFICIAL HINDU 12 MIXED POSITIVE UC 9/10/2010 9/21/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 3 2 0 2 1 0 6 4 2 1 1 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0.5 1.5 1 0 1.5 1 0 1.5 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 36.5‐3 36‐2 35‐1 37‐3 36.5‐2 36‐1 3 2 0 3 1 0 3 1 0 3 3 3 16 Para‐ Mar Imp
15 Sakamma OP.25461 65 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 24 MIXED NEGATIVE LC 9/10/2010 9/21/2010 LEFT KNEE 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 3 1 0 3 1 0 6 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 3 1 0 2 1 1 ‐ ‐ 55‐3 52‐0 50‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 3 3 14 Para‐ Mar Imp
16 Shashikala OP.30811 61 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 12 VEG NEGATIVE LC 9/15/2010 9/26/2010 RIGHT KNEE 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 6 4 1 1 1 0 2 1 0.5 2 1.5 1 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 1.5 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 32‐3 31.5‐2 31‐Jan 33‐3 32‐1 31‐0 3 2 0 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 3 3 12 Para‐ MOD Imp
18 Prasanna OP.32510 59 M OFFICIAL HINDU 6 VEG POSITIVE UC 10/2/2010 10/13/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 4 2 0 1 1 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 40‐3 40‐3 39‐1 41‐3 40‐1 39‐2 2 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 19 Para‐ Mar Imp
19 Abdul Khader OP.21610 55 M BUISNESSMAN MUSLIM 24 MIXED NEGATIVE LC 10/4/2010 10/15/2010 LEFT KNEE 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 2 0 1 1 0 5 3 1 0 0 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 0.5 2 1 0.5 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 1 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 37‐3 36‐1 36‐1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 Para‐ MOD Imp
20 Srivatsa OP.22121 45 M BUISNESSMAN HINDU 20 VEG NEGATIVE UC 10/6/2010 10/17/2010 LEFT KNEE 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 1 0 3 2 0 5 3 1 0 0 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 0.5 2 1 0.5 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 48‐3 47‐1 46‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 16 Para‐ Mar Imp
3 Kempachari OP.15167 65 M BUISNESSMAN HINDU 24 VEG NEGATIVE MC 5/10/2010 5/21/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 5 3 2 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0.5 0.5 0 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 35‐3 35‐3 34‐1 36‐3 35‐1 35‐1 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 4 Para‐ Mild Imp
7 Ratnamma OP.31621 68 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 24 MIXED NEGATIVE UC 7/15/2010 7/26/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 5 3 2 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0.5 0.5 0 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 35‐3 35‐3 35‐3 36‐3 35‐1 35‐1 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 4 Para‐ Mild Imp
9 Narasimha Murthy OP.40780 46 M BUISNESSMAN HINDU 12 VEG NEGATIVE MC 8/10/2010 8/21/2010 LEFT KNEE 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 5 3 2 0 0 0 2 1.5 1 2 1.5 1 1.5 1 1 1.5 1 0.5 2 1.5 1 2 1 0.5 3 2 1 2 2 2 ‐ ‐ ‐ 38‐3 37‐1 37‐1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 1 3 2 1 3 3 3 2 Para‐ Mild Imp
10 Madhu OP.40865 74 M OFFICIAL HINDU 12 MIXED NEGATIVE MC 8/16/2010 8/27/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 5 3 2 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0.5 0.5 0 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 35‐3 35‐3 34‐1 36‐3 35‐1 35‐1 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 Para‐ Mild Imp
12 Nagratnamma OP.12168 73 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 24 VEG POSITIVE MC 9/1/2010 9/12/2010 BOTH KNEE 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 2 1.5 1 1.5 1 0.5 2 1.5 1 1.5 1 0.5 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 3 2 1 1 1 0 40‐3 40‐3 40‐3 40‐3 40‐3 39‐1 3 2 1 3 2 1 3 1 0 3 3 3 4 Para‐ Mild Imp
17 Sarvamangala OP.30940 63 F HOUSE WIFE HINDU 6 VEG POSITIVE MC 9/18/2010 9/29/2010 RIGHT KNEE 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 2 1 5 3 2 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 2 1.5 1 1.5 1 1 1.5 1 0.5 2 1.5 1 2 1 0.5 3 2 1 2 2 2 35‐3 35‐3 34‐1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 2 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 Para‐ Mild Imp

Abbreviations‐
OP‐ Out‐patient
IP‐In‐patient
M‐Male
F‐Female
M.C‐Middle class
L.C‐ Lower class
U.C‐ Upper class
Veg‐Vegetarian
D.o.Com‐Date of commencement
D.o.comp‐Date of completion
BT‐ Before treatment

Clinical Observation in Accupuncture Treatment (Group‐B) Pain  Pain  Pain on  Pain on  Morning  Stiffness  Swelling  Maximu Walking  Able to  Able to  Able to  Able to  Getting in  Putting on  Tendern Crepitus Measurement of Rt  Measurement of  Range of  Range of  Time taken  Radiolog Over all relief
M t t lk 50
Sl.No NAME OP/IP No. AGE SEX OCCUPATION RELIGIO CHRONICITY   DIET FAMILY  SE DO  COM DO COMP JOINT                     BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12 BT 6 12
N IN MONTHS HISTORY AFFECTED
1 Honne Gowda 2772 43 M Labourer Hindu 12 Mixed Positive LC 4/26/2010 4/7/2010 Rt Knee 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 6 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 1 0 2 1 0 33‐3 32‐1 31‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 3 3 2 12 para‐ MOD Imp
2 Bachchappa IP.224 74 M Labourer Hindu 36 Mixed Negative LC 4/30/2010 5/11/2010 Lt Knee 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 5 3 1 0 0 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 0.5 2 1 0.5 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 1 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 37‐3 36‐1 36‐1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 para ‐Mar Imp
3 Venkataramana IP.241 65 M Labourer Hindu 6 Mixed Negative LC 5/6/2010 5/17/2010 Lt Knee 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 5 3 1 1 1 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 1.5 1.5 1 1.5 0.5 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 1 0 2 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 34‐3 34‐3 34‐3 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 3 3 12 para ‐MOD Imp
4 Narasimha 6616 66 M Official Hindu 24 Veg Negative UC 5/6/2010 5/17/2010 Lt Knee 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 1 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 0.5 0 0 2 2 1 2 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 45‐3 45‐3 45‐3 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 para ‐MOD Imp
5 Shanthi IP.635 56 F House Wife Hindu 12 Veg Negative MC 5/19/2010 5/30/2010 Lt Knee 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 3 1 0 3 2 1 6 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 3 1 0 2 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 55‐3 52‐0 50‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 para ‐MOD Imp
6 Rajeshwari IP.596 58 F House Wife Hindu 36 Mixed Negative MC 5/21/2010 6/1/2010 Both 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 37‐3 36‐1 35‐0 37‐3 37‐3 36‐1 2 2 1 2 1 0 3 1 0 3 3 3 17 para ‐Mar Imp
7 Leena 12170 42 F House Wife Hindu 6 Veg Positive UC 6/5/2010 6/16/2010 Rt Knee 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 5 3 2 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 2 1.5 1 1.5 1 1 1.5 1 0.5 2 1.5 1 2 1 0.5 3 2 1 2 2 2 35‐3 35‐3 34‐1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 2 ‐ ‐ ‐ 3 2 2 3 3 3 2 para ‐Mild Imp
8 Saroja Devi IP.146 54 F Official Hindu 12 Veg Negative MC 6/11/2010 6/22/2010 Both 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 1 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 46‐3 45‐1 44‐0 46‐3 44‐0 43‐0 3 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 18 para‐Mar Imp
9 Kumuda 12161 56 F House Wife Hindu 18 Veg Negative MC 6/14/2010 6/25/2010 Lt Knee 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 1 0 3 1 0 5 3 1 0 0 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 0.5 2 1 0.5 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 48‐3 47‐1 46‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 16 para‐Mar Imp
10 Shantala Devi 14096 41 F Official Hindu 6 Mixed Positive UC 7/19/2010 7/30/2010 Both 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 3 1 1 3 2 0 6 4 2 1 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 2 1 0.5 1.5 1 0 1.5 1 0 1.5 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 36.5‐3 36‐2 35‐1 37‐3 36.5‐2 36‐1 3 2 0 3 1 0 3 1 0 3 3 2 15 para‐Mar Imp
11 Shahida Bhanu 21507 48 F House Wife Muslim 24 Mixed Positive MC 7/23/2010 8/3/2010 Rt Knee 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 1 1 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 3 1 0 1 0 0 30‐Mar 29‐Jan 29‐Jan ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 3 3 3 17 para‐Mar Imp
12 Ranganath 2771 48 M Labourer Hindu 18 Mixed Negative LC 8/2/2010 8/13/2010 Both 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 2 1 1 39‐3 39‐3 39‐3 39‐3 39‐3 38‐1 3 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 para‐MOD Imp
13 Srinivas 25478 65 M Labourer Hindu 36 Veg Negative MC 8/10/2010 8/21/2010 Both 2 1 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 4 2 0 1 1 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 39‐3 38.5‐2 38‐1 38‐3 38.5‐3 38.5‐ 2 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 2
3 18 para‐Mar Imp
14 P.M.Kannan 25466 60 M Official Hindu 30 Veg Positive UC 8/11/2010 8/22/2010 Both 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 5 3 2 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 2 1 0 2 1 1 0.5 0.5 0 1 1 1 2 1.5 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 35‐3 35‐3 34‐1 36‐3 35‐1 35‐1 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 4 para‐ Mild Imp
15 Jayaram IP.944 61 M Labourer Hindu 12 Mixed Negative LC 8/30/2010 9/10/2010 Both 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 3 2 1 6 4 1 1 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1.5 1 2 1 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 1.5 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 32‐3 31.5‐2 31‐Jan 33‐3 32‐1 31‐0 3 2 0 3 2 1 2 1 0 3 3 3 12 para‐MOD Imp
16 Krishna Murthy 12171 60 M Businessman Hindu 24 Mixed Negative MC 9/1/2010 9/12/2010 Rt Knee 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 5 3 1 1 1 1 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 1 2 1 0.5 ‐ ‐ ‐ 1.5 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 0 35‐3 35‐3 35‐3 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 1 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 3 3 3 11 para‐ Mod Imp
17 Mallikarjun Swamy 30825 66 M Official Hindu 30 Veg Negative UC 9/13/2010 9/24/2010 Both 2 1 0 2 2 1 1 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 4 2 0 1 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 40‐3 40‐3 39‐1 41‐3 40‐1 39‐0 2 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3
20 para‐Mar Imp
18 Sheela Devi 31623 57 F Official Hindu 6 Veg Positive MC 9/13/2010 9/24/2010 Both 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 0.5 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 50‐3 48‐0 46‐0 50‐3 48‐0 47‐0 3 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 3 3 3 19 para‐Mar Imp
19 K.Madhu 30946 60 M Labourer Hindu 12 Mixed Negative MC 9/17/2010 9/28/2010 Rt Knee 2 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 3 2 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 6 4 1 0 0 0 2 1 0.5 2 1 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 1.5 0.5 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 34‐3 34‐3 34‐3 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 3 3 3 13 para‐MOD Imp
20 Narayan Rao 32501 60 M Businessman Hindu 12 Veg Negative MC 9/20/2010 31‐09‐2010 Rt Knee 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 0 5 3 1 0 0 0 1.5 1 0 1 0.5 0 2 1.5 0.5 2 1 0.5 1 0.5 0 1 0.5 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 40‐3 39‐1 38‐0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 2 1 0 3 3 3 15 para‐Mar Imp

Abbreviations‐
OP‐ Out‐patient
IP‐In‐patient
M‐Male
F‐Female
M.C‐Middle class
L.C‐ Lower class
U.C‐ Upper class
Veg‐Vegetarian
D.o.Com‐Date of commencement
D.o.comp‐Date of completion
BT‐ Before treatment
 
 

ACUPUNTURE TREATMENT
 

   
SUCHI VYADHA CHIKITSA
 

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