MANAGEMENT OF DYSMENORRHEA (SOOTHAGAVALI) THROUGH TRADITIONAL SIDDHA VARMAM THERAPY - A CASE SERIES

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynaecological disorder characterized by painful menstrual cramps, affecting millions of women worldwide. A painful or cramping feeling in the lower abdomen is one of the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, and it is often accompanied by other symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Varmam, a traditional Siddha medicine technique, has been used to manage various health conditions, including pain management. Four women with primary dysmenorrhea were treated with Varmam therapy, consisting of specific pressure point stimulations, for three consecutive menstrual cycles. The WaLIDD (working ability, location, intensity, days of pain, dysmenorrhea) scale score was used to evaluate the participant's symptoms both before and after treatment. There is a significant reduction in WaLIDD scores were observed post-treatment, indicating improved symptoms and quality of life. Pain intensity, duration, and associated symptoms showed marked decreases. The observations infer that Varmam manipulation has significant benefits treatment for managing Dysmenorrhea (Soothagavali). To investigate the safety and effectiveness of Varmam therapy in larger populations, more research is required.