Efficacy of Varmam Therapy for the Management of Osteoarthritis (Knee Joint)- An Open Clinical Trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative, non-inflammatory condition, characterized by destruction of articular cartilage and formation of bone in the joint space.In India 62.35 million people affected in 2019, women are most affected then men. It is 20th common cause of years living with disabilities in India. OA was estimated to be the 10th leading cause of nonfatal burden. The gastrointestinal toxicity, associated cardiovascular, renal risks are the major complications in pharmacological management and also the optimum duration of NSAID therapy is unclear. In topical application of NSAIDs and capsaicin are associated local adverse effects including rash, burning and itching. Intra-articular corticosteroid injections provide short-term pain relief. However, intra articular injections given more frequently than once every four months can result in cartilage and joint damage, as well as increased risk of infection, The American College of Rheumatology, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the European League Against Rheumatism recommend non-pharmacologic modalities for the management of knee and hip OA. In Siddha system of medicine, has lot of the literature-based evidence in the management of Osteoarthritis also Pharmacological (Internal, External medicines), Non-Pharmacological (External therapies), in spite of the evidence for its effectiveness is unsatisfactory. The aim of the study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Varmam therapy.In this study, sample size 100, 11 varmam points are administered to each patient, administration time is 20-25 mins, total number of stimulation of Varmam points - 7 times for each varmam, duration of the study is 1 yr and 6 months