Research on Evaluation of the Efficacy of Modified Raktamokshana by Cupping Therapy in Katigata-Vata with Special Reference to Low Back Pain

Abstract

Every person will have back pain at some point in their lifetime as they become older. Everyone in today's generation is forced to lead a sedentary lifestyle, which can be blamed for the problem. Given the rising incidence of this condition, patients are subjected to a variety of therapeutic techniques, including NSAIDs, steroids, physiotherapy, and ultimately, surgical procedures, all of which have their own drawbacks, such as providing only temporary relief, having unpleasant side effects, being expensive, etc. Ayurvedic treatments require the application of snehana, swedana, basti karma, agni karma, and raktamokshana. Similar to how Vaatvyadhi views basti karma as Ardhachikitsa, Sushruta Samhita views Raktamokshana as Ardhachikitsa. Therefore, an effort has been made to establish the Raktamokshana method of cupping practice. Raktamokshana is the process of draining vitiated dosha along with the impure blood by making small punctures and using vacuum cups. It resembles the Ghati Yantra described in the Sushruta Samhita, one of the great classics. Twenty patients with katigatavata who received raktamokshana via the cupping method as part of a single-arm research. The patient complaints showed a noticeable improvement. Therefore, it may be said that the cupping method is an effective raktamokshana technique for Katigata-Vata patients.