Publication

Abstract :

Objective: To define and classify pain as well as list varied descriptions of pain highlighting varying approaches adopted in Ayurveda for management of pain in specific stages of different diseases. Background: Pain is defined as physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury. Modern medicine classifies pain as Nociceptive, Neuropathic or Inflammatory based on underlying mechanism, mild, moderate or severe depending on severity and acute, chronic or acute on chronic based on duration.Pain management aims to either interfere with transmission of signals to brain (analgesics) or knock out the brain (anaesthetics).This approach works in management of acute pain, but not in chronic pain. In chronic pain, Ayurvedic treatment has reported to be effective.An attempt is being made here to understand the Ayurvedic understanding of pain and its management. Method: Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya Nidāna Sthāna was searched and terms describing different types of pain were tabulated. Few treatment approaches were randomlt compiled from Cikitisa Sthāna of the same text. Result: Totally 226 terminologies describing different types of pain were documented in specific stages of various diseases in Nidāna Sthāna.Vāta is considered to be responsible for creating the sensation of pain, but pain can be triggered and modulated by many other factors.Treatments described in the Cikitsā Sthāna for pain management were found to vary in different stages and types of diseases, implying that Ayurveda aims to address factors underlying pain rather than a generalised symptomatic management.Conclusion: Ayurveda focuses on source of pain and treatment given depends on the causative factor that triggers pain rather than just blocking signals that generate pain.Application: A thorough study of the Ayurvedic approach to understanding and dealing with pain can potentially help us to discover new approaches to manage chronic pain.