NEUROFUNCTIONAL MODULATION THROUGH MARMA THERAPY IN CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE: AN INTEGRATIVE CLINICAL APPROACH

Background: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a secondary headache disorder referred to the head from a nociceptive source in the cervical spine, most commonly the upper three cervical segments. It accounts for a substantial share of chronic headache presentations, and conventional management — analgesics, physical therapy and, in refractory cases, nerve blocks — is often symptomatic and inconsistently durable. Marma therapy, a manual therapeutic modality described in classical Ayurvedic surgical literature, targets anatomically defined vital points that correspond closely to neurovascular and myofascial junctions, offering a plausible non-pharmacological route to modulating cervical nociception. Case presentation: A 41-year-old female software analyst presented with an 18-month history of unilateral right-sided headache arising in the occipital region and radiating to the temporal and frontal areas, with associated neck stiffness and restricted cervical mobility. Episodes occurred 4–5 times weekly and were of moderate-to-severe intensity. Prolonged computer work, sustained neck flexion, poor posture and stress were consistent triggers. Clinical examination and cervical assessment supported a diagnosis of CGH by International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria. Intervention and outcome: Marma therapy was administered to Amsa, Krikatika and Sthapani marma three times weekly for 12 weeks, with oral Rasnasaptakam Kashayam tablets and Dashamoolarishtam as supportive therapy. By 12 weeks the patient showed marked reduction in headache intensity and frequency alongside improved cervical mobility. No adverse events were recorded and the patient reported substantial improvement in quality of life. Conclusion: In this case, a structured marma protocol produced clinically meaningful and sustained relief in long-standing CGH without pharmacological analgesia or adverse effects. The anatomical correspondence between the marma used and the trigeminocervical convergence zone offers a mechanistic rationale that warrants formal evaluation in controlled trials.

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