Role of Viddhakarma in Management of Ashopha Akshipaka - A Case Study
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Role of Viddhakarma in Management of Ashopha Akshipaka - A Case Study
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The eye is a vital sensory organ enabling humans to perceive their surroundings through the Chakshurendriya. This case study focuses on a 36-year-old male patient diagnosed with Ashopha Akshipaka, characterized by symptoms such as burning sensation, sticky discharge, pricking sensation, heaviness, mild congestion, ocular pain, and discomfort in both eyes. The treatment approach employed was Viddhakarma, a traditional Ayurvedic bloodletting technique, which was chosen for its potential effectiveness without the use of other medications. The procedures were performed according to the guidelines provided by Acharya Sushruta, utilizing specific anatomical points to optimize patient outcome.
The Concept of Viddhakarma
Viddhakarma, or bloodletting, is a therapeutic practice emphasized in Ayurvedic texts as a treatment for eye disorders. In this case, three sittings of Viddhakarma were performed over three consecutive days, targeting specific points classified as Apang, Lalate, and Upanasika, as described by Acharya Sushruta in Sushruta Samhita. The technique entails making a gentle puncture to allow blood to ooze from the targeted area, which is believed to alleviate elevated levels of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas that contribute to the Ashopha Akshipaka symptoms. The use of fine needles facilitates controlled bloodletting, which is thought to provide symptomatic relief and promote healing in the affected tissues.
Symptomatic Relief and Patient Outcome
The procedure yielded substantial improvement in the patient's symptoms following Viddhakarma treatment. Subjective measurements of symptoms such as burning sensation, redness, pricking pain, purulent discharge, and ocular pain were assessed before, during, and after the treatments. Notably, the patient reported significant relief after the first sitting, achieving approximately 60% symptomatic improvement. The findings indicate that Viddhakarma offers a rapid means of alleviating discomfort associated with Ashopha Akshipaka, reinforcing the traditional practice's relevance in modern therapeutic contexts.
Conclusion
Viddhakarma emerges as a significant and effective treatment modality for managing eye disorders like Ashopha Akshipaka. The case study highlights that this economical and straightforward procedure not only minimizes treatment side effects but also offers rapid symptomatic relief for patients. The positive outcome observed in this patient suggests that bloodletting, when applied judiciously, can be a valuable addition to therapeutic protocols within the Ayurvedic framework for ocular health.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Supriya A. Bhandare
MS Scholar, Department of Shalakya Tantra, Sumatibhai Shah Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Hadapsar, Pune, India.
Nilakshi S Pradhan
Professor and H.O.D, Department of Shalakya Tantra, Sumatibhai Shah Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Hadapsar, Pune, India.
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Role of Viddhakarma in Management of Ashopha Akshipaka - A Case Study
Year: 2022 | Doi: 10.47070/ayushdhara.v9i3.965
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the role of Viddhakarma in Ashopha Akshipaka treatment?
Viddhakarma, or bloodletting, significantly alleviates symptoms of Ashopha Akshipaka. It reduces burning sensation, itching, and ocular pain effectively, providing noticeable relief after treatment without the use of medication.
What symptoms indicate Ashopha Akshipaka in patients?
Symptoms of Ashopha Akshipaka include burning sensation, sticky discharge, pricking pain, heaviness in the eyes, and ocular discomfort. These symptoms result from imbalances affecting the eye.
How is the Viddhakarma procedure performed?
Viddhakarma involves using a fine needle to make small pricks at specific points around the eyes. The procedure is performed after proper cleaning, and blood is allowed to ooze out to relieve symptoms.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Role of Viddhakarma in Management of Ashopha Akshipaka - A Case Study”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Akshipaka (Aksipaka, Akshi-paka):
Akshipaka is a specific eye disorder mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, often involving symptoms like burning, pricking pain, and purulent discharge from the eyes. In the case study, Ashopha Akshipaka was treated using Viddha Karma, which brought significant relief to the patient within a few days.
2) Karma (Karman):
Karma in this context refers to medical procedures or actions undertaken to treat diseases. Viddha Karma or bloodletting is one such Ayurvedic procedure used to relieve symptoms by piercing specific points on the skin to let out blood.
3) Netra:
Netra means 'eye' in Sanskrit. It is a crucial sense organ discussed extensively in Ayurvedic literature, such as in the treatment of Ashopha Akshipaka where eye symptoms like burning sensation and pricking pain are addressed using Viddha Karma.
4) Viddha:
Viddha derives from Vyadha and involves piercing to let out blood, aimed at alleviating conditions by easing the symptoms, especially in cases of eye disorders like Ashopha Akshipaka. The method involves pricking specific anatomical points to alleviate Vata and provide symptomatic relief.
5) Pain:
Pain, particularly ocular pain, was one of the primary symptoms of Ashopha Akshipaka noted in the patient. Viddha Karma helped reduce this pain significantly by the second day of the treatment by letting out trapped Vayu and achieving Vatanulomana.
6) Burning sensation:
Burning sensation, referred to as Netra Daha in Ayurveda, is a common symptom of eye disorders like Ashopha Akshipaka. The case study reported substantial reduction in burning sensation after several Viddha Karma sessions.
7) Depression:
[see source text or glossary: Depression]
8) Dosha (Dosa):
Dosha refers to the three fundamental bio-elements in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are essential in the pathogenesis of diseases like Ashopha Akshipaka, where their vitiation along with Rakta Dhatu leads to symptoms treated by therapies like Viddha Karma.
9) Blood:
Blood, or Rakta Dhatu, plays a significant role in Ayurveda. In Ashopha Akshipaka, vitiated blood along with Doshas contributes to the symptoms. Viddha Karma involves bloodletting to help release the pathological blood, thus providing relief.
10) Alla:
[see source text or glossary: Alla]
11) Vyadhin (Vyadhi):
Vyadhi means 'disease' in Sanskrit. Ashopha Akshipaka is classified as a Vyadhi affecting the eyes. The treatment involved Viddha Karma to manage the Vyadhi and alleviate its symptoms.
12) Vata:
Vata is one of the three Doshas in Ayurveda, associated with movement and pain. In Ashopha Akshipaka, Vata is primarily vitiated along with Pitta and Kapha. The treatment Viddha Karma helped in Vatanulomana to alleviate symptoms.
13) Vatadosha (Vatadosa, Vata-dosha):
Vata-dosha specifically refers to the Dosha governing movement and pain. Its vitiation leads to symptoms such as pricking pain and heaviness in Ashopha Akshipaka. Viddha Karma aids in managing these symptoms by balancing Vata.
14) Vitiation (Vitiated):
Vitiation in Ayurveda refers to the imbalance or disturbance in Doshas. Ashopha Akshipaka involves the vitiation of Tridosha and Rakta Dhatu. Treatments like Viddha Karma aim to restore balance and relieve symptoms.
15) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine from India that focuses on balancing the body’s Doshas through holistic approaches. It provided the framework for treating Ashopha Akshipaka using techniques like Viddha Karma.
16) Samhita:
Samhita refers to compiled ancient Ayurvedic texts. For instance, Sushruta Samhita and Vagbhata Samhita detail procedures such as Viddha Karma for treating eye diseases like Ashopha Akshipaka.
17) Vedhana:
Vedhana refers to piercing, a key part of Viddha Karma. By piercing specific points, it helps in letting out vitiated blood, thus providing relief in diseases like Ashopha Akshipaka.
18) Rakta:
Rakta means 'blood' in Sanskrit. In Ashopha Akshipaka, vitiated Rakta contributes to the symptoms. Viddha Karma involves bloodletting as a therapeutic measure to let out vitiated Rakta and alleviate the disorder.
19) Dhatu:
Dhatu refers to the seven fundamental tissues in Ayurveda. Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue) vitiation plays a role in diseases like Ashopha Akshipaka. Treatments like Viddha Karma aim to purify the vitiated Dhatu.
20) Sushruta-samhita (Susruta-samhita):
Sushruta-samhita is an ancient Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery, which describes treatments like Viddha Karma for eye diseases such as Ashopha Akshipaka. It is a key reference in Ayurvedic practice.
21) Shalakyatantra (Salakyatantra, Shalakya-tantra, Shalakyatamtra):
[see source text or glossary: Shalakya-tantra]
22) Raktadhatu (Rakta-dhatu):
Rakta-dhatu refers to the blood tissue in Ayurveda. Its vitiation along with other Doshas causes symptoms in Ashopha Akshipaka, which can be treated by bloodletting through Viddha Karma.
23) Tridosha (Tridosa, Tri-dosha):
Tridosha is the Ayurvedic concept of three fundamental bio-elements: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The vitiation of these Doshas contributes to the pathogenesis of Ashopha Akshipaka, which is treated by rebalancing them through Viddha Karma.
24) Pradhan:
[see source text or glossary: Pradhan]
25) Disease:
Disease or Vyadhi in Ayurveda refers to a state of imbalance in the body’s Doshas, Dhatus, and Malas. In the case of Ashopha Akshipaka, the imbalance manifests as various eye symptoms treated by Viddha Karma.
26) Sthana:
Sthana means 'location' or 'position.' In Ayurvedic anatomy and treatments, identifying the correct Sthana for interventions like Viddha Karma is crucial, as seen in the prescribed points for piercing in Ashopha Akshipaka.
27) Vyadha:
Vyadha means 'piercing' and is the root term for Viddha Karma, a treatment involving pricking specific points to release vitiated Vayu and provide symptomatic relief in conditions like Ashopha Akshipaka.
28) Cotton:
Cotton is used in medical procedures for cleaning and dressing. In the Viddha Karma procedure for Ashopha Akshipaka, sterile cotton swabs were used to wipe the blood oozing from pricked sites.
29) Shula (Sula):
[see source text or glossary: Shula]
30) Roga:
Roga means 'disease.' In the context of eye diseases like Ashopha Akshipaka, Shalakyatantra (the branch dealing with head and neck diseases) provides treatments such as Viddha Karma to manage the Roga.
31) Daha:
[see source text or glossary: Daha]
32) Inci (Imci):
[see source text or glossary: Inch]
33) Nidanasthana (Nidana-sthana):
Nidana-sthana refers to the section of a text dealing with the diagnosis. In the Sushruta Samhita, it includes descriptions of the points for Viddha Karma useful in treating eye disorders like Ashopha Akshipaka.
34) Transmission:
[see source text or glossary: Transmission]
35) Kaphadosha (Kaphadosa, Kapha-dosha):
Kapha-dosha is one of the three fundamental bio-elements in Ayurveda. It plays a role in the pathogenesis of diseases like Ashopha Akshipaka, where its vitiation along with Vata and Pitta contributes to symptoms treated by Viddha Karma.
36) Netraroga (Netra-roga):
Netra-roga refers to eye diseases in Ayurveda. The case study discusses Ashopha Akshipaka, a type of Netra-roga, and its successful treatment using the Viddha Karma procedure.
37) Akshiroga (Aksiroga, Akshi-roga):
[see source text or glossary: Akshi-roga]
38) Ashtavidha (Astavidha, Ashtan-vidha):
Ashtavidha means 'eightfold' and refers to the eight types of surgical procedures in Ayurveda, including Vedhana (piercing). Viddha Karma, a form of Vedhana, was used to treat Ashopha Akshipaka in the case study.
39) Perception:
[see source text or glossary: Perception]
40) Discussion:
The discussion section in academic texts analyzes and interprets findings. In this case study, it details the rationale and effectiveness of Viddha Karma in treating Ashopha Akshipaka, including the alleviation of symptoms and understanding the mechanism of relief.
41) Vagbhata:
Vagbhata was an ancient Ayurvedic scholar. His texts also recommend Viddha Karma for treating eye disorders like Ashopha Akshipaka, similar to the guidelines from Sushruta Samhita.
42) Medicine:
[see source text or glossary: Medicine]
43) Shastra (Sastra):
[see source text or glossary: Shastra]
44) Allergy:
[see source text or glossary: Allergy]
45) Tantra (Tamtra, Tantrism):
[see source text or glossary: Tantra]
46) Vedana:
[see source text or glossary: Vedana]
47) Nidana:
Nidana refers to the 'diagnosis' or 'etiology'. In the context of Ashopha Akshipaka, accurate Nidana is essential for selecting the appropriate Viddha Karma points for effective treatment.
48) Pitta:
Pitta is one of the three Doshas in Ayurveda, associated with heat and metabolism. Its vitiation contributes to symptoms in Ashopha Akshipaka, and balancing it is part of the therapeutic goal of Viddha Karma.
49) Kapha:
Kapha is one of the three Doshas in Ayurveda, associated with structure and lubrication. It plays a role in the pathophysiology of Ashopha Akshipaka, and its balance is crucial for alleviating symptoms.
50) Chala (Chala°):
[see source text or glossary: Chala]
51) Laghu:
[see source text or glossary: Laghu]
52) Akshi (Aksi):
Akshi means 'eye' in Sanskrit. Disorders like Ashopha Akshipaka affecting the Akshi are treated using specific Ayurvedic procedures like Viddha Karma to alleviate symptoms such as burning and pricking pain.
53) India:
[see source text or glossary: India]
54) Ayus (Ayush):
[see source text or glossary: Ayush]
55) Pulse:
[see source text or glossary: Pulse]
56) Sira (Shira):
Sira means 'vein' or 'blood vessel.' In Ashopha Akshipaka, vitiated Doshas and blood travel through Sira to the eyes, and Viddha Karma targets specific Sira points to release the vitiated contents and provide relief.
57) Vayu:
[see source text or glossary: Vayu]
58) Guna:
[see source text or glossary: Guna]
59) Pune:
[see source text or glossary: Pune]
60) Sah:
[see source text or glossary: Shah]
61) Drug:
[see source text or glossary: Drug]