To Study the Efficacy of Agnikarma in Frozen Shoulder as Analgesic Comparison to Tramadol

Pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint is the cardinal feature of frozen shoulder. But along with pain, there is restricted range of motion for which patient generally approaches a doctor. Acharya sushrut has mentioned agnikarma for very severe painful condition of skin, muscles, veins, nerves, joints and bones. 60 patients of frozen shoulder were selected from OPD, IPD of shalyatantra department as well as casualty of govt. Ayurvedic college and hospital guwahati after doing all the required investigations. Aim & objective: To study the efficacy of agnikarma in frozen shoulder as analgesic comparison to tramadol. Materials & method: 60 patients with frozen shoulders were taken in 2 groups of 30 patients each. Control group was administered tramadol 50mg orally 8 hourly for 5 days. Trial group was treated with agnikarma therapy using Panchadhatu shalaka 3 sittings alternately done for 5 days. Panchadhatu shalaka was heated up to red hot by using gas stove and used for agnikarma after cleaning the affected area with triphala kwath. A bindu type of agnikarma was done followed by application of mixture of ghrita & madhu, after that yastimadhu curna was sprinkled over the affected area for its cooling effect. Result: pain intensity and duration, tenderness intensity and duration reduced completely after 3 sittings of agnikarma therapy. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Discussion: Agnikarma is simple, less invasive, safe & cost-effective procedure. Agni possesses ushna, tikshna, sukshma and ashukari gunas. It neutralizes the sheeta guna of vata and kapha dosha.Removes the sroto avarodha which occurred due to avaran of vikrita kapha. Heat increases the blood circulation to the localized pathology, increases the dhatwagni so metabolism of dhatu becomes proper and promotes proper nutrition. Thus, pain in the affected area is quickly relieved. Summary & conclusion: Overall study showed that the agnikarma therapy gives better results than use of opioid analgesic tramadol. Acute pain (within 3 months) was treated better than chronic pain (within 6 months).