In different traumatic or atraumatic lesions of vertebral column, inter vertebral disc prolapsed or lesions of spinal cord, the marma-shaiya method, making and using of a plaster bed for therapy, gives tremendous and amazing results. First of all the assessment of lesion should be done according to the findings of X-ray and M.R.I. of the spine. Identification and marking of marmas of back and lower extremitiy should be done individually. Accordingly, the marma shaiya is made.
For this purpose the patient is asked to lie on a table in half cobra pose. The pillows support the chin and upper part of the chest during this posture. The whole body should be in a straight line. The patient should be asked to relax the body and remain in the same position up to the completion of the plaster bed. After that, a cotton pad covered with gauze should be spread from head to the ankle joints. Water soaked— one central, two cross, two sides, one head, one shoulder, one waist, one hip and one lower— plaster casts are placed over the spread cotton pad by moulding and shaping regularly and quickly and repeatedly by the hands. During this process the points over the marmas are pressed with thumbs and fingertips quickly up to the drying of plaster cast. The outer surface of the plaster bed is properly shaped with putting more plaster bandages on it. Within half an hour when the plaster bed gets moulded and dry the whole moulded cast is lifted by hand and taken away and kept on another trolley or table.
After complete drying of this plaster shell its margins and inner marma points are repaired. The Marma-shaiya is placed on a flat surface in reverse position. The patient is advised to lie down on this plaster bed. The patient uses this bed regularly. Spinal traction and pressure over the marmas by prominent points of the plaster bed provides tremendous results in the patients of vertebral column and spinal cord diseases. The patient is advised to use this bed regularly at least for 1/2 hour to 3 hours daily. For complete cure he has to use this bed for months together or up to the stage of complete cure.
The results of marma-chikitsa and marma-shaiya are very encouraging. It is the need of the day that this work should be
propagated in a big way to all the higher centers of neurological and neurosurgical diseases to give better management to those patients who do not receive any hope from any corner of medical science. A number of patients of P.I.V.D and traumatic paraplegia are doing very well with the marma chikitsa. Results of marma chikitsa have opened new rays of hope for the patients of spinal cord injuries.
Covering with layer of cotton
Spread of gauze piece over first layer
Placement of plaster cast over second layer
Initial pressure over the marma points
Formation of marma points of back
Formation of marma points of thigh
Formation of marma points of lower back
Filling of gaps with Plaster of Paris paste
Shaping of outer layer of marma bed
Final Shaping of marma bed
Marma impressions on marma shaiya (Internal aspect)
Krikatika marma
Amsa marma Amsaphalaka marma
Vrihati marma Parsvasandhi marma
Kukundara marma Nitamba marma Katikataruna marma Urvi marma Ani marma
Marma Shaiya (External aspect)
M.R.I. of thoraco lumbar spine
In cases of fracture-dislocation, symptoms arise abruptly and may very much be similar to acute myelitis. Any neurological deficit may affect musculoskeletal portion, connected to the particular nerve.
Musculoskeletal disorders account for the condition of long-term pain, deformity and physical disability. In complete spinal cord injuries there is absence of voluntary nervous control and function below the injury site.There is complete loss of all reflexes below the site of injury including
Bulbocavernosus, cremesteric, anal contraction to personal stimulation and deep tendon reflexes. These are very significant to assess the improvement during the Marma Chikitsa.
To improve the quality of life of the patients of musculoskeletal ailments, the Ayurvedic measures/ therapies can play an important role. To advance understanding and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases through prevention, education and research, marma therapy, panchakarma and yoga can offer an effective way of healing and rehabilitation.
Marma chikitsa is started after early recognition of a spinal cord or vertebral column injury. All marmas are stimulated regularly twice a day by different means along with the marma shaiya. The embossed marma points on the inner surface of marma shaiya stimulate the marma points of the back.
Before marma-therapy and marma shaiya nirman, for therapy for vertebral column / spinal lesions, the following procedures should be done as poorva-karma (pre-operative measures):
1. Patient has to take deep breath at least 5-10 times before the start of marma therapy, to improve the flow of prana.
By deep breathing there is complete relaxation of musculature and it is easy to conduct the marma therapy.
2. Application of Mahanarayan taila over the marmas followed by nadi sweda with Dashmula-kwatha. In case of marma-shaiya nirmana, sarvanga abhyanga and sarvanga-sweda is mandatory at least for 3 days prior.
3. Vasti of Dashmula-kwatha 200 ml, Mahanarayana taila 30 ml should be given at least for 3 days prior.
4. Shatasakara churna (3-5 grams) should be given at bedtime one day prior to marma shaiya nirman.