E-ISSN:2456-3110

Case Report

Lumbar Spondylosis

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 5 MAY
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Effect of Marma Chikitsa in the Pain Management of Lumbar Spondylosis - A Single Case Study

Verma V1*, Marwaha R2, Gupta P3, Sharma S4
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.5.39

1* Vishal Verma, Post Graduate Scholar 2nd Year, PG Department of Rachna Sharir, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

2 Rita Marwaha, Professor and HOD, PG Department of Rachna Sharir, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

3 Pankaj Gupta, Professor, PG Department of Rachna Sharir, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

4 Shraddha Sharma, Lecturer, PG Department of Kayachikitsa, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Lumbar Spondylosis, a commonly occurring degenerative condition, results in persistent lower back pain and has a substantial impact on one’s quality of life. This research investigates the ancient healing practices of Marma Chikitsa to assess their effectiveness in relieving the pain associated with lumbar spondylosis (Katigrah). Marma Chikitsa, deeply rooted in Ayurveda and traditional Indian medicine, revolves around vital energy points known as “Marma Points” to restore harmony and well-being. Our study conducts the therapeutic outcomes of Marma Chikitsa, employing stringent clinical evaluations, pain assessment tools, and measures of life quality. The primary objective of this research is to uncover the nuanced effectiveness of Marma Chikitsa in Katigrah. The results of this study offer promise not only within the Ayurvedic medicinal framework but also provide valuable insights into the fusion of ancient wisdom with contemporary healthcare practices, In the end, this provides the way for a more comprehensive and patient-centered method of treating pain and symptoms of lumbar spondylosis. Modern medical science only provides symptomatic treatment and has limitations that result in surgical intervention with side effects or short-term pain relief. In order to solve these issues, an Ayurvedic management strategy must be used.

Keywords: Lumbar Spondylosis, Katigrah, Ayurveda, Marma Chikitsa, Marma Points, Pain Management

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Vishal Verma, Post Graduate Scholar 2nd Year, PG Department of Rachna Sharir, Pt Khushilal Sharma Govt (Auto) Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Email: 		Verma V, Marwaha R, Gupta P, Sharma S, Effect of Marma Chikitsa in the Pain Management of Lumbar Spondylosis - A Single Case Study. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(5):255-258.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4715/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-04-09 2025-04-28 2025-05-07 2025-05-17 2025-05-27
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Not required 12.36

© 2025 by Verma V, Marwaha R, Gupta P, Sharma S and Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(5)255
Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionCase ReportObservations and ResultsDiscussionConclusionReferences
Vishal V et al. Effect of Marma Chikitsa in the Pain Management of Lumbar Spondylosis

Introduction

Lumbar Spondylosis is osteoarthritic spine disease that occurs in later life and primarily involves the lumbosacral spine. Patients often complain of pain centered in the spine that is increased by motion and associated with stiffness and limitation of motion, loss of intervertebral disc height, reduces the vertical dimensions of the intervertebral foramen causing the descending pedicle to compress the nerve root exiting at the level.[1,3] Lumbar Spondylosis refers to degenerative disc disease. About 80% of the industrial population and 60% of the general population suffers from low back pain due to their wrong posture.[2]

Katigraha is an age related and work-related painful condition, sometimes many patients are unable to do their normal routine work. Low back pain is a common clinical presentation in musculoskeletal disorders due to spinal pathology.

Katigraha has been described as a separate disease by Gadanigraha. It has been classified as Prishtagraha under Vata Nanatmaja Vyadhi in the Charaka Samhita. Shosha, Stambha, and Shula predominant Vyadhis make up Katigraha. According to Acharya Susruta pain cannot exist without Vata vitiation. Gadanigraha indicates unequivocally that pain is caused by stiffness brought on by the migration of Sama or Nirama Vayu into Kati; this suggests the presence of Dhatu Kshayatmaka and Marga Avarodhaka types of Samprapti.[4]

Marma is the junction of the Mamsa, Sira, Snayu, Asthi, and Sandhi. It is a region of the body that is covered in muscles, veins, ligaments, bones, and joints. These points are known as vital points because they are the location of Prana (vital Force) and are controlled by consciousness. Mild pressure or massage can be used to stimulate Marma Sthana, and this mild stimulation helps in relief of pain associate with Katigraha.[5,6]

Modern management of Lumbar spondylosis includes conservative treatments with analgesics, NSAIDs, local anesthesia, glucocorticoids, muscle relaxants, calcium & Vit. D supplements, lumbar belt and physiotherapy, however these medications have evident adverse effects because they are used to treat other conditions. Their extended option is surgery, which is the final and most expensive option, and may have complications.

As a result, the current situation calls for the adoption of Ayurvedic treatment and Marma Chikitsa can be seen as a better option.

Case Report

Name of patient - XYZ;

Age - 26 Years

Sex - Female

Occupation - Software developer (Computer Work), Long time Sitting type of job.

OPD Reg No. 20230062656

Date - 27-06-2024

came to PTKLS Hospital OPD in kaya chikitsa department with the following complaints -

1. Severe pain at low back (Katishool)
2. Stiffness at low back (Graha)
3. Difficult during walking
4. Difficulty in prolonged sitting. No other associate complaints.

History of presenting complaint:

Patient was apparently normal before one month gradually he developed above symptoms due to hectic life style with long sitting time and for better management he came to PTKLS Hospital, Bhopal.

History of past illness: No relevant Past history

Treatment history: Allopathic Analgesics

Diagnosis and Assessment Criteria

Lumbar spondylosis was diagnosed on the basis of following parameters. Also, these parameters were assessed before and after the treatment.

1. Pain at low back (Katishoola) - was assessed by grading of pain by using Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Table 1: Grading of VAS

SNPainGrade
1..VAS range in between 0-20
2.VAS range in between 2-41
3.VAS ranges in between 4-62
4.VAS ranges in between 6-83
5.VAS ranges in between 8-104

On the date of examination, the patient was in distressing, miserable pain with a VAS Score of 5.


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(5)256
Vishal V et al. Effect of Marma Chikitsa in the Pain Management of Lumbar Spondylosis

2. Stiffness at low back (Katigraha) - was assessed by following scale

Table 2: Grading of Stiffness

SNStiffnessGrade
1.No stiffness0
2.Stiffness, no medication1
3.Stiffness, relieved by external application2
4.Stiffness, relived by oral medication3
5.Stiffness not responded by medicine4

On the date of examination, the patient was in grade 3.

3. Clinical examination: Difficulty in Straight Leg Rising (SLR) i.e., anterior flexion was assessed before & after treatment. Clinical examination revealed tenderness in lumbar region. SLR test was positive 60 degrees at left & 50 degrees at right.

4. FNST: Positive (Lt. Leg)

Treatment protocol

Marma Chikitsa was administered for 15 days. Following Marma points were stimulated -

1. Bruhati
2. Parshwasandhi
3. Katika taruna
4. Kukundar
5. Nitambha

Each Marma was stimulated for 0.8 sec over 15-18 times.

This treatment was given for 15 days.

Observations and Results

Table 3: Observations during treatment

Results of the treatment were observed on the basis of following parameters as follows.

ParameterObservationImprovement %
BTAT
VAS Score (Pain)5180%
Stiffness grade3166%
SLRRT- 50 Degree
LT- 60 Degree
B/L - 60 Degree		RT - 80 Degree
LT- 90 Degree
B/L - 80 Degree

Observations during treatment are mentioned in table 3. As Marma Chikitsa given to the patient after that symptomatic assessment of patient was carried out after 15 days,

shown an excellent outcome almost 70-75% relief was seen and quality of life of patient was improved.

Discussion

In the present case of lumbar spondylosis, the patient was affected more with Katigraha might be because he has to do more prolonged seating type of work (Occupation - software developer). Prolonged sitting posture exerts pressure over low back and provides favorable condition for lodging (Sthana Samsharaya) of already vitiated Vata Dosha.

Above mentioned Marmas stimulated with outmost care and gentle manipulation yields in good results without causing any aggravation of Doshas. The Vata which is vitiated gets Shamana and returns to its Prakrtavastha thereby reducing the pain and stiffness.

Conclusion

The incidence of Katigraha is being increasing from generation to generation irrespective of age, gender etc. so in such cases there will be requirement of an economical, non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures like Marma Chikitsa. In this case study it is clearly seen that Marma Chikitsa can be effective in acute management of pain in Katigraha.

References

1. Mahato N, Kaveri RS, Shylamma T, Bindu P. Case series on importance of Rukshana therapy in spinal pathology. Int J Ayurveda Pharma Res. 2024 Jan;12(1). [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

2. Lumbar spondylosis [Internet]. Physio-pedia; [cited 2025 Jun 22]. Available from: https://www. physio-pedia. com/Lumbar_Spondylosis [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

3. Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL, editors. Harrison’s principles of internal medicine. 14th ed. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hill; p. 71–80 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

4. Tripathi I, Pandey G, editors. Gadanigraha with commentary. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; Vatvyadhi Chikitsa 19, Shlok 160. p. 508 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(5)257
Vishal V et al. Effect of Marma Chikitsa in the Pain Management of Lumbar Spondylosis

5. Joshi SK. Marma science and principles of Marma therapy. New Delhi: Vani Publications; 2019. . [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

6. Shastri AD. Sushruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tattva Sandipika. Vol. 1. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2012. Sharir Sthan, Ch. 6, Ver. 37 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

Disclaimer / Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of Journals and/or the editor(s). Journals and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(5)258