Agnikarma Chikitsa

AGNIKARMA CHIKITSA

Indications for Agnikarma

It is one of the treatments for Vataja Shoola.

Vitiated Vayu in relation to Twacha, Mamsa, Sira, Snavu, Sandhi & Asthi produc intense pain, which is the exact indication for Agnikarma.

स्नेहोपनाहाग्निकर्मबन्धनोन्मर्दनानि च । स्नायुसन्ध्यस्थिसंप्राप्ते कुर्याद्वायावतन्द्रितः ।। सु.चि. ४/८

In the Vataja Shool, Snehana, Upanaha, Agnikarma. Tight bandaging Mardana is the treatment regimen. When the pain is located at Snayu, Sandhi, A should be continued till the patient gets relief including Agnikarma.

Other indications for Agnikarma are painless hypergranulation in ul Granthi, Arsha, tumours, fistula, Apachi, Shlipada, warts, moles inguinal herma haemostasis of cut vessels or a bleeding tract.

उच्छ्रिकठिण सुप्त मांसव्रणे ग्रन्थ्यार्शाऽर्बुद भगंदरापचीश्लीपद चर्मकील तिलकालकान्त्रवृद्धि सन्धिसिराच्छेदनादिशुनाडी शोणितातिप्रवृत्तिषु चाग्निकर्म कुर्यात् ।। सु.सू. १२/१०

If there is no relief in pain by Snehana and Swedana, Raktamokshana should be carried out which should be followed by Agnikarma.

Sira means Sira near the nose, eyebrows, forehead and Shankha pradesla Viddha Chikitsa at these places is followed by Agnikarma.

The quotation referred above is an example of Urdhva Jatrugata vyadhi but s applicable everywhere, where Pain exists. It entails -

1) The places for Viddha Chikitsa are same for Agnikarma.

2) The indication for "pain" is viddha and Agnikarma.

3) Agnikarma should be done after Viddha Chikitsa.

In Agnikarma, depth is important Agnikarma at the depth of skin (Superficialis for pain in Twacha & Mamsa.

Deep Agnikarma at the level of Mamsa is for pain in Sira, Snayu, Sandhi and asthi. Even we can do it at the depth of Sira, Snayu etc. This is applicable to Viddha Chikitsa also.

त्वग्मांस संश्रितो वायुः त्वग्दाहेनैव शाम्यति । मांसदग्धे ही शाम्यन्ति सिरास्नाय्वस्थि सन्धिजाः ।। टीका सु.सू. १२/७इहं तु सिरास्नाय्वस्थिसन्धित्वपि न प्रतिषिद्धोऽषि । टीका

As this is a purely practical oriented book, I have taken references from Sushruta Samhita & Ashtang Sangraha only. It is nothing but a review of the knowledge in Ayurveda available 2000 years ago. Procedures are done everyday when indicated in my private practice, as well as the places where I worked. I have carried out training camps with practical applications at Thane, Latur, Hubli, Shiroda (Goa), Devrukh (Ratnagiri) & Bangalore on Agnikarma & Viddhakarma.

In day-to-day practice, Viddha Chikitsa and Agnikarma play a major role in relieving pain and offer reasonable mobility. Different indications for doing viddha and agnikarma have been quoted in Sushruta. Many of them are Vataja conditions. The conditions in which I have done these Karmas are marked as the remaining are for your reference and further assessment. Viddha and Agnikarma if performed perfectly give immediate relief and does not require any analgesic injection or tablets.

According to modern science local application of specific amount of heat results in vasodilation & increases local blood flow which relieves pain caused by factors like lactic acid, blood clots, urate crystals etc.