Comorbidity profile of Siddha Varmam therapy patients and insight into integrative pain management: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional medical system is one of the centuries old practices and serving mankind to fight against disease. Siddha System of medicine is one among the Indian system of medicine popular in India and other Tamil speaking countries. Varmam therapy, which is unique to Siddha System, which involves manipulation of life energy points in the body. Methods: Objective: To explore the comorbidity of the patients with musculoskeletal disease conditions and insight into integrative pain management. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Siddha Varmam Thokkanam and Traditional Bone setting (VTTB) division out-patient department, at Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai, during the July to December 2019. Results: There were 1592 adult patients, of which 830 were male and 762 were females and majority of them were in the age group 51-60 years (32.53%) and 25.75% in the age group 61-70years and 22.8% in 41-50 years age group. 55.4% of patients visiting the facility were within 10km distance from their residence while 3.84% were travelling more than 100km to reach the facility. 60.18% of the patient had diabetes, 50.31% had hypertension, 9.8% hypothyroidism, 4.45% cardiovascular disease, 22.5% had combined diabetes and hypertension, for which, 10.65% was taking only siddha medicine for their diabetic control and 15.97% were on integrative treatment, allopathy and Siddha medicine for their diabetic control. Conclusion: The present study insists to consider the comorbid conditions of patients visiting Siddha health facilities across the state and projecting integrative Siddha Varmam therapy for pain considering comorbidities irrespective of pharmacological interventions.