A Randomized Comparative Clinical Study for the Efficacy of Marma Chikitsa and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Modality in the Management of Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis, marked by degenerative transformations within the cervical spine, such as pseudarthrosis, osteoarthritis affecting the apophyseal joints and disc degeneration, is extremely common. Most people with spondylotic changes of the cervical spine on radiographic imaging remain asymptomatic, with 25% of individuals under the age of 40, 50% of individuals over the age of 40, and 85% of individuals over the age of 60 showing some evidence of degenerative changes.Three overlapping syndromes can result from spondylitic osteophytic neural or vascular encroachment: nerve root compression (radiculopathy), spinal cord compression (myelopathy), and vertebral artery compression. The cause is unknown but may be accelerated by trauma, overuse, or genetic predisposition

MARMA**CHIKITSA:

Marmapoints are the junction of five anatomical structures i.e. Mamsa(muscle), Sira(vessels), Snayu (ligament and nerve), Asthi (bone), and Sandhi (joints). Stimulation of Marmapoints optimises Prana**Vayuand maintains equilibrium of Doshas*.*

Marmas serve as crucial energy points for prana flow. Marma chikitsa offers a natural, non- invasive, and effective healing approach by stimulating organs and systems instantly and permanently. This method can be applied anywhere, anytime, without relying on medication. The symptoms of Vata Vyadhi (various neurological and musculoskeletal disorders) are Sankocha (narrowing or degeneration), Parva Stambha (stiffness in joints), Asthibhed (pain in bones), Spandana and Gatrasuptta (numbness), which can be co related with cervical spondylosis.

PHYSIOTHERAPY:

Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with human function and movement and maximising physical potential. It is concerned with identifying and maximising quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, treatment/ intervention and rehabilitation.Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) involves applying a low voltage electrical current through the skin via surface electrodes to help manage pain, practice noted in classical medicine as early as the first century. Initially introduced as a screening tool for spinal cord stimulation in clinical settings, TENS soon revealed its efficiency in alleviating pain solely through skin stimulation.