Therapeutic Effect of Modified Shrnga Vidhi in the Management of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow (Snayugata Vata at Kūrpara Sandhi) is a painful condition associated with repetitive microtrauma of the extensor tendon of elbow. In Ayurveda, it can be correlated with Vraṇa in the Snāyu. Traditional para-surgical procedures like Raktamokṣaṇa (bloodletting) and Agnikarma (therapeutic cauterization) are mentioned as effective pain-relieving therapies. Though Agnikarma is an effective procedure, it is often painful and not patient friendly. Wet cupping which is a modified Śṛṅga vidhi found to have effect in Tennis elbow. Objective: To find out the clinical effectiveness of wet cupping (Śṛṅga vidhi, a form of Raktamokṣaṇa) in patients with tennis elbow. Methods: A clinical trial was conducted among 18 patients aged 21–60 years at VPSV Ayurveda College, Kottakkal. Participants were randomly selected from the population. The participants received wet cupping on 1st day, repeated on the 8th day. Assessments were done on day 1th, 8th, and 24th using VAS for pain, tenderness, Cozen’s test, Mill’s maneuver, swelling, and wrist movements. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and relevant non-parametric tests. Results: wet cupping found to have significant result in reduction in pain, tenderness, swelling, and improved functional mobility (p<0.001). Conclusion: Wet cupping is a patient-friendly and yields better pain relief and functional recovery.