A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF MARMA CHIKITSA IN VATIKA SHIRAHSHOOLA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE– A PILOT STUDY

Vatika Shirahshoola is a Vata-dominant disorder characterised by headache and may be clinically correlated with tension-type headache. Tension-type headache is commonly associated with recurrent, pressing or tightening headache and may affect daily functioning and quality of life. The present pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Marma Chikitsa in the management of Vatika Shirahshoola w.s.r. to tension-type headache. A total of 10 patients fulfilling the diagnostic, inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Marma Chikitsa was administered for 15 days by stimulating six selected Marma Sthanas, namely Apanga, Avarta, Sthapani, Simanta, Shringataka and Adhipati, according to the prescribed protocol. The effect of treatment was assessed before and after therapy using headache intensity, frequency, duration and HIT-6 score. The study showed improvement in all assessed parameters, with statistically very significant changes (P = 0.0020). Thefindings suggest that Marma Chikitsa may be beneficial in reducing headache-related symptoms and functional impact in Vatika Shirahshoola. As a preliminary pilot study with a small sample size, the findings provide a basis for further controlled clinical studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up.