Effect of Ashwini Mudra as an adjuvant on pain in post-operative cases of ano-rectal diseases - An Ayurvedic management protocol

Abstract

Ano-rectal disorders refer to the illness of the anal canal and rectum. Fissure in ano, Fistula in ano and haemorrhoids are among the most common ano-rectal conditions. In these cases, symptoms like pain, itching, burning, bleeding and swelling can significantly affect a patient's lifestyle. In Today’s Era, for pain management in post-operative cases of ano-rectal diseases, yoga plays an important role in pain management. Yoga is a way of living that aim towards a healthy mind in a healthy body. Ashwini mudra is a tantric practice used to generate and move prana (life force energy) upward along the spine, via the main energy channel of the subtle body known as sushumna nadi. The practice involves contracting the anal sphincter in a rhythmic way, thereby generating and containing intense energy within the lower body before pumping it upwards As the ano-rectal disease require long term conservative treatment and also surgical intervention. Due to this patients are suffering for long term problems. To minimize the side effects of medicine in post-operative cases, certain measures are needed. Yoga is a way of living that aims towards a healthy mind in a healthy body. Sushruta and Vagbhata have described that the total length of Guda is 4½ Angula only. Vagbhata had also told measurement of Guda as Atmapanitala (palm of hand) Ashwini mudra is very easy to perform and can be done during any time and by any age group.