EFFICACY OF MARMA CHIKITSA IN THE PAIN MANAGEMENT OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS: A PILOT STUDY

Background: Cervical spondylosis is a rapidly increasing degenerative musculoskeletal disorder of the cervical spine, driven by modern lifestyle factors such as prolonged computer/mobile use and faulty posture, resulting in degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral discs. In Ayurveda, this condition is correlated with Vata-predominant disorders described under Greeva Stambha (cervical stiffness) and Manyastambha.[4,5] Objective: This pilot study was designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of Marma Chikitsa (Ayurvedic vital-point stimulation therapy) alone, administered for 15 consecutive days, in patients with cervical spondylosis, and to correlate the outcomes with modern objective assessment tools. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted as an open-label, single-arm clinical study involving 10 patients who constituted the Marma Chikitsa. Patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis received Marma Chikitsa for 15 days, followed by a 7th-day follow-up period. Selected Marma Sthanas included Ansa, Ansaphalaka, Krikatika, Kakshadhara, Vidhura, Kshipra, Manibandha, Ani and Urvi. Each Marma was stimulated 15–18 times according to the marma chikitsa protocol. Clinical parameters including pain, stiffness, tingling sensation and cervical range of motion were assessed before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Assessment was carried out using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and cervical range of motion (ROM), recorded on Day 0 and Day 15. Results: Overall interpretation: All parameters showed statistically significant improvement by Day 15, with p < 0.05 for every parameter. The greatest percentage improvement was observed in Pain (89.47%), followed by Stiffness (83.33%). Conclusion: The findings suggest that Marma Chikitsa may be beneficial in reducing symptoms and improving cervical functional mobility in patients with cervical spondylosis. As this was a single-arm pilot study with a limited sample size, larger controlled studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm these preliminary findings.