THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF AGNIKARMA AND VIDDHAKARMA IN LIFE STYLE DISORDERS - A REVIEW ARTICLE

Lifestyle disorders emerged as a global health crisis driven primarily due to sedentary behaviour, poor dietary habit and stress. It encompassing conditions such as obesity, chronic pain syndrome like planter fasciitis, sciatica, musculoskeletal disorders including osteoarthritis, lumber and cervical spondylitis, frozen shoulder as well as neuromuscular conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Approximately 1 in 5 adults globally experiences chronic pain. In India, around 19.3% of adults report chronic pain—equating to roughly 180–200 million individuals. In urban India, up to 50–60% of adults may suffer from at least one lifestyle disorders amidst the growing prevalence of these lifestyle related disorders. Traditional therapeutic modalities like Agnikarma (therapeutic cauterization) and Viddhakarma (therapeutic needling) represents promising, evidence- based therapeutic potential.Agnikarma utilizes controlled thermal energy to alleviate localized pain, inflammation and neuromuscular imbalance by evacuate the metabolic waste and increasing local blood circulation by vasodilatation also deactivate the myofascial trigger points while Viddhakarma involves precise needling at specific anatomical points (Marma). Both Agnikarma and Viddhakarma stimulates peripheral nerves and mechanoreceptors leading to blockage of pain receptors and promotes the release of endorphins there by it ultimately reduces pain and enhances local mobility. Both therapies offer cost effective, minimal invasive and have a low recurrence rate if performed properly. As para-surgical techniques which is safe sustainable alternative or complement to conventional surgical interventions particularly in chronic pain management associated with lifestyle disorders. Main aim of this article is emphasizing the integrative potential of Agnikarma and Viddhakarma in mitigating the clinical and economic burden of life style disorders as well as facilitating a paradigm shift in the therapeutic outcomes for lifestyle induced pain syndromes.