Agnikarma with Tapta Guda in the pain management of Computer Elbow: A case study.

Abstract

Computer elbow, known medically as lateral epicondylitis, is very common condition found in workers associated with long-term use of computers. It represents pain and tenderness on the lateral side of the elbow due to repetitive stress, which results in inflammation of the common extensor tendon of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. In conventional system, medications such as corticosteroids, NSAIDs, etc. are used in the management of computer elbow. According to Ayurveda, computer elbow can be correlated with snayugata vikara and it can be treated with agnikarma, and it is believed that diseases treated with agnikarma never reoccur. Based on the specific heat retention and transmission capacity, Sushruta prescribed different materials for agnikarma on snayu, sandhi, asthi are kshaudra, guda, etc. More penetrating capacity is possessed by agnikarma with snigdha dravyas than rooksha dravyas like shalaka. So, tapta-guda is taken in the present study to assess the effect of agnikarma on computer elbow. Here, the patient was treated with agnikarma using tapta-guda over the most painful and tender points. Assessments were done before treatment, after treatment, 3rd day, 5th day. The result showed agnikarma with tapta-guda was effective in treating computer elbow. The mechanism of action of agnikarma is still unknown. But its action seems to be more effective in providing instant pain relief. The therapeutic effects of agnikarma with tapta-guda include relief of pain and muscle spasm, acceleration of healing, resolution of inflammation and increase in the range of movement of joint.