AYURVEDIC ACUPUNCTURE

Ayurvedic medicine has many different branches, as it is the study of whole body and life. One of these branches is Ayurvedic Acupuncture. This can be termed as an accessory therapy since it was used in conjunction with other forms to effect healing. It belongs more correctly to the branch of surgery.

Ayurvedic surgery in India was extremely advanced. Plastic surgery of the nose was a routine operation during Sushruta's time. Sushruta is the most ancient renowned Ayurvedic surgeon. During those time broken bones were also mended with metal pins in much the same way they are today.

Today there is no doubt that Ayurvedic Acupuncture originated from the practice of using needles in surgery and the knowledge of the pressure points.

Ayurvedic Acupuncture is traditionally termed Bhedan Karma, and is a part of the traditional Indian methods of using pressure points or marmas. These methods are generically reffered to as Marma Chikitsa. There is undeniable connection between Marma Chikitsa and what is today recognized as Acupuncture.

Acupuncture is more correctly termed "NEEDLING" where needles are used to penetrate the skin at strategic points of the body in order to cause a therapeutic effect. The Acupuncture points are positioned along energy channels which connect with major organ and structure of the body.

The needles must be inserted into specific reflex points( marmas) which then cause an internal therapeutic reaction. A system which does not take these points into account is not a true system of acupuncture.

It is unfortunate that many traditional Ayurvedic practices have remained secretive and have all but disappeared from popular usage. Example: There is a system of martial arts in India called Marma Adi (a part of Kalari) which is the secretive and complex art of striking vital pressure points for self-defence purpose. It is still kept quite secret, even in India, and very little information is available today to the West. Marma Adi's secrets were recorded in 72 shastras or ancient books which were written on palm leaf manuscripts and carefully handed.

Likewise, many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and art forms have almost all but disappeared from popular use in India. Ayurvedic Acupuncture and moxibution appear to be two of these system, although once again they are gaining popularity, even if only very gradually.

According to the Ayurvedic principles the Ayurvedic Acupuncture form is termed BHEDAN KARMA (piercing through therapy) and a part of the Suchi Veda or science of needling.