Agnikarmam

What is Agnikarmam?

Agnikarmam (Agnikarma) is an ancient Ayurvedic para-surgical procedure that uses controlled therapeutic heat application to treat chronic pain conditions. The word comes from “Agni” (fire) and “Karma” (action). It is described in the Sushruta Samhita as a superior treatment for conditions that do not respond to medicines or other therapies.

How It Works

A specially designed metal instrument (Shalaka) is heated to a specific temperature and briefly applied to precise points on the skin over the affected area. The controlled thermal stimulation increases local blood circulation, reduces pain signals, breaks up adhesions, and promotes tissue healing. The heat creates a therapeutic micro-injury that triggers the body’s natural healing response.

Benefits

• Provides rapid relief from chronic pain
• Effective where medicines have failed
• Reduces local inflammation
• Breaks up scar tissue and adhesions
• Stimulates healing in chronic conditions
• Long-lasting pain relief
• Minimal side effects when performed by experts

Conditions It Helps

• Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
• Chronic tendonitis
• Frozen shoulder
• Osteoarthritis (localised points)
• Chronic lower back pain
• Calcaneal spur

What to Expect

The physician identifies the exact points for treatment based on your condition. The skin is cleaned and a small amount of herbal paste may be applied. The heated instrument is touched briefly to specific points — the application lasts only a second or two per point. You may feel a brief, manageable heat sensation. The treated area is then dressed with a cooling herbal paste. Most patients require 3–5 sessions at weekly intervals for optimal results.