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The National Institute of Siddha has set a Guinness World Record for providing Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously.
It is an institute for study and research of Siddha medicine. It was established in 2005 at Tambaram, Chennai. It is one of the eight national institutes established across nation for training and research in "Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy education" by Department of AYUSH.
It is affiliated to the government-owned Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University and is also the national headquarters of the Central Council of Research in Siddha, the exclusive body for Siddha research.
Read about Siddha: IAS GYAN
A cornerstone of the Siddha system of medicine, it is an ancient Indian practice that focuses on the manipulation of vital energy points in the body known as varmam points.
These points are considered intersections where life energy (prana or vaasi) is concentrated playing a crucial role in maintaining physical and mental health.
The human body is believed to contain 108 varmam points categorized into:
Padu Varmam: 12 major points.
Thodu Varmam: 96 minor points.
These points are typically located at the intersections of muscles, veins, ligaments, bones and joints.
They serve as vital centers where life force energy is concentrated and are directly related to internal organs.
Disruption or trauma to these points can obstruct energy flow leading to various health issues.
Varmam therapy is closely linked to Siddha medicine believed to be one of the oldest traditional medicine systems in the world attributed to sage Agastya.
Ancient Tamil texts like the Thirumoolar Thirumanthiram and the Agastya Varma Sastra document the science of varmam detailing its locations, uses and healing applications.
Kalaripayattu: Varmam therapy was originally developed as part of martial arts training to heal injuries sustained during combat.
Varmam therapy aims to balance the flow of energy (prana or vaasi) within the body by:
Stimulating Varmam Points: Applying specific amounts of pressure and directional movements to these points to release stagnated energy and restore balance.
Techniques Used: Methods such as thadaval (massage), thattal (tapping), and adangal (pressure application) are commonly employed by trained practitioners.
Varmam therapy is renowned for its effectiveness in treating a variety of conditions including:
Musculoskeletal Disorders: Provides rapid relief for pain and injuries.
Neurological Disorders: Assists in the treatment of conditions like stroke and cerebral palsy.
Chronic Diseases: Beneficial for arthritis and other chronic ailments.
Pediatric Care: Used in managing autism spectrum disorders in children.
Efforts are underway to integrate varmam therapy with modern medical practices.
For instance the establishment of the Center for Advanced Research in Siddha, Varmam and Integrative Medicine (CARSIVAM) at Manipal Academy of Higher Education aims to facilitate collaboration between allopathic and Siddha doctors to explore combined benefits in managing chronic health conditions.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Which of the following statements about Varmam therapy is/are true?
Options: Answer: A) Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. Varmam therapy focuses on 108 varmam points where life energy is concentrated. Stimulating these points helps restore the flow of energy. Statement 2 is correct. Techniques such as tapping/ thattal, massage/ thadaval and pressure application/ adangal are integral to Varmam therapy. Statement 3 is incorrect. Varmam therapy has historical roots in martial arts like Kalaripayattu where understanding these points was crucial for healing and combat. |
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