Integrative management of post-traumatic diffuse axonal injury (Shiromarmabhighatajanya pakshaghata): A single case study

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) is a severe form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), resulting from high-velocity trauma, often leading to long-term disability. In Ayurveda, TBI can be understood as Shiromarmabhighata (~trauma to the vital points of the head) which manifests symptoms resembling Pakshaghata (~hemiplegia). This case report presents the management of a 27-year-old male who had severe DAI following a road accident and presented with immobility, speech impairment, head tremors, and cognitive deficits. He was diagnosed as Shiromarmabhighatajanya pakshaghata (~hemiplegia due to trauma to the vital points of the head). An integrative management plan for nine months was adopted, including Ayurveda Panchakarma (~five internal bio-cleansing therapies) and Shamana aushadhi (~pacification medications) having Vatahara (~alleviating vitiated Vata dosha ) action along with yoga and neurorehabilitative care. Functional independence measure improved from 30 to 85, reflecting significant recovery in mobility, speech, and quality of life. This case highlights the potential of integrating Ayurveda with conventional rehabilitation in posttraumatic DAI recovery and suggests its role in enhancing long-term functional outcomes and reducing disability.