WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Porselvi et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SJIF Impact Factor 7.421

Volume 8, Issue 3, 1742-1752 Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

EFFICACY OF VARMAM THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF

CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Dr. T. Porselvi* and Dr. N. Shunmugom2

1
Medical Officer, TVR&TC, Arts Research Institute, Peravallur, Kolathur, Chennai.
2
Varmam Subtle Science Researcher and Honorary Advisor, Ari Foundation, Coimbatore.

Article Received on ABSTRACT

20 Jan. 2019,
Revised on 10 Feb. 2019,
Accepted on 01 March 2019
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20193-13388
*Corresponding Author
Dr. T. Porselvi
Medical Officer, TVR&TC,
Arts Research Institute,
Peravallur, Kolathur,
Chennai.
results are discussed.
Therapeutic effect of varmam was studied on 100 cases of cervical
spondylosis at Thirumoolar Varmam Research and Therapy Centre
(Unit of Arts Research Institute), Kolathur Branch, Chennai, Tamil
Nadu during the period 2017 and 2018. The varmam points stimulated
include mudichu varmam, kakkattai kaalam, chavvu varmam, kavuli
kaalam, manibatha varmam and thoosumuga varmam. Out of 100
patients (34 male and 66 Female) 50 and 37 patients got good and
moderate responses to the treatment. These patients ranged between
20 and 85 year of age. Varmam therapy got good relief in all
symptoms of cervical spondylosis patients. The basis of treatment and

KEYWORDS: Therapeutic effect of varmam results are discussed.

INTRODUCTION
Varmam is an ancient Tamil medical system discovered and practised by Siddhars. Varmam
is a subtle energy which flows along with life force. Cervical spine is made up of 7 vertebrae.
From C1 – C4 cervical vertebral region consists of magnetic energy. C5, C6, C7 vertebras
consists of electric energy. These two types of energies are very minute subtle form of
energy. Whenever these energies gets disturbance in this vertebral column, anatomical
disturbances will starts. 12 major physical nerves depend on and across the sara mudichu.
Name of these 12 nerves are, 1. Vaana narambu 2. Kazhuthurai narambu 3. Pinmudichu
narambu 4. Keeri narambu 5. Kathir narambu 6. Kuuchal narambu 7. Uyir narambu 8.Kuyil
narambu 9. Mundirukku narambu 10. Kuural narambu 11. Kodi narambu 12. Neerkori

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narambu. (Note: Varma Laada Soothiram, Varma Choodamani). So treatment on cervical

region has to done very carefully and must avoid rough handling. When these 12 types of
nerves get disturbed, it develops into neck problem. Cervical spondylosis is a condition that
causes progressive degeneration of the vertebrae, discs and ligaments in the cervical region.

Common causes for cervical spondylosis are

1. Aging is the major factor for developing cervical spondylosis.
2. Heavy weight lifting on the head.
3. People in certain occupations or hobbies involve repetitive movements may put more
stress on their necks.
4. Irregular sitting posture.
5. Increased stress level.
6. Stomach disturbance.
7. Excess speaking habit.

Cervical spondylosis produces symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, radiating pain, pain in the
shoulder or arms, hands, giddiness, restricted neck movements, etc.

Cervical spondylosis is diagnosed only by taking X-ray, CT Scan or MRI Scan. Drugs,
traction, physiotherapy and massage are unable to provide complete relief. In view of this
fact, we intended to study the role of low cost and non invasive varmam therapy in this
extremely common condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on cervical spondylosis patients (N= 100) attending Thirumoolar
Varmam Research and Therapy Centre (Unit of Arts Research Institute), Kolathur Branch,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu during the period 2017 and 2018. The patients with both sexes were
included in the age group twenty to eighty five. The patients with neck injury, previous
surgery related to neck, pregnant and lactating women, congenital anomalies of the neck,
spinal cord vascular pathology, tumour of the neck and some infectious conditions like
infective spond arthritis were excluded from the study. Varmam therapy was given once a
day, twice a week for a month and repeated for another month according to the requirement.
The responses to the treatment were classified into mild, moderate and good. Good response
was one in which there was relief in all the symptoms within 1 to 2 months. Moderate

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response is relief in all the symptoms for 6 months. Mild response was one in which the relief
was only during the period of treatment.

RESULTS
During the period 2017 and 2018, 100 patients were regularly followed to the full course of
treatment.

1. Age wise Response of cervical spondylosis patients to Varma Therapy

Among the 100 patients, 34 (34%) were male and 66 (66%) were female. The numbers of
patients treated in age groups 20 – 40 years, 41 – 60 years and above 60 years were 30, 54
and 16 respectively.
In 20 – 40 age group, out of 35 patients, 10, 14 and 6 patients got good, moderate, mild
responses respectively.
In 41 - 60 age group, out of 54 patients 30, 20 and 4 patients got good, moderate, mild
responses respectively.
Above 60 years, out of 16 patients, 5, 6 and 5 patients got good, moderate, mild responses
respectively.

Table. 1.
Age Group in No of Patients treated Effect of Varmam Therapy
S. No
years Male Female Total Good Moderate Mild
1 20 – 40 12 18 30 10 14 6
2 41 – 60 18 36 54 30 20 4
3 Above 60 4 12 16 5 6 5
Total 34 66 100 45 40 15

2. Duration of illness and effect of varmam therapy

Out of 100 patients, duration of illness varied from 2 days to more than 1 year.
Patients were categorized depending on their duration of complaints: less than 1 month, 1 to 6
months, 7 to 12 months and more than 1 year.

Table. 2.
Effect of Varmam Therapy
S. No Duration of illness Response to varmam Therapy
Male Female Total
Good Moderate Mild
1 < 1month 8 10 18 10 7 1
2 1 to 6 months 5 14 19 10 6 3
3 7 to 12 months 8 20 28 14 10 4
4 More than 1 year 13 22 35 16 14 5
Total 34 66 100 50 37 13

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3. Effectiveness against the clinical feature to varmam therapy: The results of

effectiveness against each of the clinical features (neck pain, radiculopathy, stiffness,
restricted neck movements, numbness, giddiness) are furnished in Table – 3.

Table. 3.
Clinical response to Varmam therapy
S. No Clinical features No of cases
Good Moderate Mild
1 Neck Pain 100 50 38 12
2 Stiffness 45 25 15 5
3 Restricted neck movements 8 6 2 0
4 Numbness 10 8 2 0
5 Giddiness 10 9 1 0
6 Radiculopathy 81 45 30 6

 Out of 100 patients showing neck pain, good, moderate and mild responses were observed
in 55, 38 and 12 patients respectively.
 Among the 45 patients with stiffness got good, moderate and mild responses were
observed in 25, 15 and 5 patients respectively.
 Out of 8 patients with restricted neck movements, good and moderate responses were
observed in 6 and 2 patients respectively.
 Out of 10 patients with numbness, good and moderate responses were observed in 8 and 2
patients respectively.

DISCUSSION

(Varma Odivu Murivu Saari Choothiram-1500, verse 435)

Cervical Spondylosis may be due to the effect of injury to the bones and/ or nerves (physical
or subtle) in and around the neck.

(Varma Thatthuva Nool, Verse 346)

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12 major physical nerves depend on and cross the sara mudichu. Name of these 12 nerves
are: 1. Vaana narambu 2. Kazhuthurai narambu 3. Pinmudichu narambu, 4. Keeri narambu 5.
Kathir narambu, 6. Kuuchal narambu 7. Uyir narambu 8.Kuyil narambu 9. Mundirukku
narambu 10. Kuural narambu 11. Kodi narambu 12. Neerkori narambu. (Note: Varma Laada
Soothiram, Varma Choodamani).

So treatment on cervical region should be done very carefully and must avoid rough
handling. When these 12 types of nerves get disturbed, it develops into neck problem. Kathir
Narambu spreads from the neck to the back along with idakalai naadi and pingkalai naadi
which are responsible to maintain neck control. This is explained in the following lines.

(Varma Laada Soothiram, Verse 143)

Similarly Varma Choodamani (verse 324) indicates that both the visai narambu are found on
either side of the neck and support the head.

(Varma Choodamani, Verse 324)

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(Laada Soothiram, Verses 188-189)

As per the above verses, pushkalai narambu arises from middle of the chest goes to the axilla
and ascends to the brain. Then it descends to the neck and flows down to the wrist joint.
Therefore when manibandha Varman is stimulated, the energy travels with pushkalai
narambu and energises the neck.

In the treatment package Mudichu Varmam, Kaakattai Kaalam and Kaichulukki varmam
were applied for reducing the pain in the neck and sub-occipital region. Chavvu varmam and
kavuli kaalam were applied to relieve numbness and radiculopathy. Manibantha varmam and
Thoosumuga varmam were applied to improve the neck movement in cases where in the
movements was restricted.

1. Mudichu Varmam

(Varma choodamani, Verse 150)

(Varma Sootcham, Verse 1150)

Mudichu varmam or Sara Mudichu is located at the base of the neck at C7-T1 junction
(Varma Choodamani). It also strengthens head, neck and vertebraes.

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2. Kakkattai Kaalam

(Varma Sootcham, Verse 1314)

The verse from Varma Sootcham reveals the shoulders as its location. It says that Kakkatai
kaalam serves as a major place through which energy tracts vil and visai traverse.

(Varma Sootcham, Verse 1315)

The above lines from Varma sootcham explain the physiological functions of kakkattai
kaalam. They say that kakkattai kaalam supplies energy and acts as an encourage to the
whole body below the neck.

It also surpasses the blood vessels to the region above the neck. This helps in the movement
of the neck including the rotation of the neck and this is the spot which is enriched with
sensory energy. Varma Kaandam verse 585 and 586 describe the technique of the stimulation
of Kakkattai Kaalam.

(Varma Kaandam, Verse 585)

(Varma Kaandam, Verse 586)

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The above lines from Varma kaandam explain the action and application of kakkattai kaalam,
i.e. the main stream of energy flow Idakalai and Pingkalai meets over here, and its
applications is to clench both the shoulders at the same time and ask the patient to move the
head sideways.

Varma Sootcham 1316 describes the function of Kakkattai Kaalam as follows

(Varma Sootcham, Verse 1316)

The above lines from Varma sootcham reveal the pathology i.e. any energy loss to this
varmam leads to weakness of the upper limbs, radiculopathy with numbness and movement
restriction of the upper extremity, especially abduction and adduction of the arm. This
varmam is one of the stations of Satthi Naalam - it refers to the narambu stated above.

3. Chavvu Varmam
Varma Sootcham (Verses 969 and 970) describes the locating nerves traversing through
Chavvu varmam and their function.

(Varma Sootcham, Verse 969)

The above verse from Varma Sootcham reveals the location of the chavu varmam. It lies
medially in the upper arm, straight down the meeting place of the shoulder and the axilla.

(Varma Sootcham, Verse 970)

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The above verse from Varma Sootcham shows the importance of this place, i.e the narambu
traversing this region helps in the movement of the hand and it is the place through which Vil
and Visai travel. The sensory supply (Visai) to the neck, Suziyadi Varmam and Sanguthirti
Varmam traverses. The motor supply (vil) to strengthen the shoulder joint passes through this
varmam.

4. Kavuli Kalaam

(Kaimathirai Thiravukol – 72)

According to Kaimathirai Thiravukol – 72, Kavuli kaalam lies at the first web space between
the thumb and index finger.

(Varma Soohcham, Verse 1014)

The above lines from Varma sootcham explain the physiological function of kavuli kaalam. It
surpasses the blood vessels posterior part of the head and suzhiyadi. It gives strength to the
shoulder joint.

5. Manibantha Varmam: Varma Choodamani (verse 801) describes the location and
application method of Manibantha Varmam in the wrist joint through the following lines.

(Varma Choodamani, Verse 801)

(Varma Sootcham, Verse 1372)

6. Thoosumugam

(Laada Soothiram-300, Verse 34)

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The above lines state the location of Thoosumugam over the nipple on both sides.

(Varma Kaandam, Verse 735)

The above lines from Varma Kaandam explain the physiological function of Thoosumuga
Varmam. It serves as an anchor to the neck and helps in the movement of the neck. It is the
place through which the main stream of energy (Satthinirai Naalam) traverses.

(Varma Villum Visaiyum -100, Verse 69)

The visai narambu traverses from both the nipples internally through the throat and the back
and reaches Paenkuzhi (Pidari Kalam). Therefore when we stimulate Thoosumuga Varmam,
the energy traverses along this course and help to reduce pain and enhance neck movements.
The above literary evidences in varmam literature and experience of the Varmam Aasaan Dr.
N.Shunmugom passed on in gurukulam method are the basis for the varmam package
stimulated for cervical spondylosis. Out of 100 patients, females(66pts) are most commonly
affected to cervical spondylosis than males (34 pts). All age groups of patients responded to
the treatment very well. Patients got immediate relief of their symptoms after varmam
therapy and then they followed the treatment at regular interval until completely relieved of
their symptoms. Most of the patients got good and moderate response to the treatment, 50 and
37 respectively. Similarly, the patients with shorter duration of illness had greater response to
varmam therapy. Above 60 age group patients took additional time to get relief from their
symptoms.

CONCLUSION
As on date, according to our knowledge, no permanent cure is there in other medical
treatment methods. From the results we observed, varmam therapy is an effective method to

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treat cervical spondylosis patients. Varmam treatment is a low cost, non–invasive and better
treatment option for cervical spondylosis patients.

REFERENCES
1. Varma Sootcham.
2. Varma Soodamani.
3. Varma Kaandam.
4. Laada Soothiram – 300.
5. Varma Laada Soothiram.
6. Varma Odivu Muruvu Saari Choothiram – 1500.
7. Varma Thathuva Nool.
8. Varma Villum Visaiyum – 100.
9. The Foot Prints of Medical Varmalogy – Dr. N.Shunmugom – April 2012, published by
Arts Research Institute, Coimbatore.

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