MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN AND REFLUX-RELATED SYMPTOMS WITH PSYCHOSOCIAL DISTRESS USING SIDDHA VARMAM THERAPY: A CASE REPORT
Jayasurya B.*, Muneeswaran A.
ABSTRACT
Background: Lumbar spondylosis can cause chronic pain, functional limitation, sleep disturbance, and associated gastrointestinal and psychosocial symptoms. Siddha Varmam therapy is a traditional external therapeutic modality involving targeted stimulation of specific Varmam points. Case Presentation: A patient with chronic low back pain, multilevel lumbar degenerative changes, reflux-related symptoms, sleep disturbance, and psychosocial distress was managed using an integrative Siddha Varmam approach. MRI demonstrated multilevel degenerative disc changes, disc bulges/protrusions, bilateral foraminal narrowing, and mild secondary spinal stenosis. Endoscopy on 6 JULY 2025 documented an incompetent lower oesophageal sphincter and distal oesophagitis. Treatment comprised Varma Thadaval with Kayathirumeni Tailam and Ulunthu Tailam and targeted Varmam manipulation over 14 sessions. Outcomes: VAS decreased from 8/10 to 4/10, PSQI from 16/21 to 7/21, and GerdQ from 14/18 to 6/18. The patient reported improved work capacity, unassisted sleep, and resolution of vomiting and acidity. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Integrative Varmam therapy was associated with improvement in pain, sleep, reflux-related symptoms, and functional status. However, causality cannot be established from a single uncontrolled case. Further controlled studies are warranted to evaluate its clinical effectiveness and safety.
Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Gunmam; Lumbar spondylosis; Siddha medicine; Varmam therapy; Varma Thadaval.
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