A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AGNIKARMA WITH TAPTA KSHAUDRA AND PANCHADHATU SHALAKA IN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a compressive neuropathy due to chronic inflammation of the flexor retinaculum which will cause compression to the median nerve and associated structures. The condition comprises of pain, paresthesia, numbness and restricted movements to the wrist joint and to the lateral three and half fingers of the hand. It can be denoted as Manibandha Sandhi Sthita Snayugata Vata in ayurveda. According to Ayurvedic classics, the treatment modality Agnikarma, is having an important role in the management of Snayugata Vata Vikaras. Dahanopakarana such as Kshaudra, Guda, Sneha etc. have been specifically mentioned for Agnikarma in the diseases of Sira, Snayu, Sandhi and Asthi. Panchadhatu Shalaka is employed on a regular basis for doing Agnikarma in Manibandha Sandhi Sthita Snayugata Vata, the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Clinical trials were conducted in 40 patients, assigned in two groups of 20 each. The patients were treated with Agnikarma using Panchadhatu Shalaka and Agnikarma using Tapta Kshaudra in Group A and Group B respectively. On comparison the Tapta Kshaudra is statistically more significant in reducing pain, numbness and restricted movements than that of Agnikarma done using Panchadhatu Shalaka.