SHALYA TANTRA (SURGERY)

Shalya Tantra is the surgical branch of Ayurveda. Though rooted in ancient surgical practices, it also includes modern Ayurvedic para-surgical techniques. This department specializes in the management of surgical conditions like wounds, abscesses, fistula-in-ano, piles, and ulcers using traditional methods such as Ksharasutra, Agnikarma, Raktamokshana and Shastra chikitsa.

Acharya Sushruta – Father of surgery, in his classical texts has explained the wide range of surgical modalities, variety of surgical instruments, wound management, management of disease based on its Avastha(stage), Acute and chronic conditions.
Shalya Tantra addresses both modern surgical needs and traditional Ayurvedic interventions, offering an integrative and holistic approach to surgical care, wound management, and pain relief.

The surgical instruments explained by Acharya is the base for today’s instruments and surgical modalities that are adapted in advanced form.
Managing most of the disease with Para-surgical procedures is the expertise touch at our centre.

Shalya Tantra encompasses:

• Surgical management of external and internal disorders, Orthopaedics.
• Para-surgical procedures like Kshāra Sutra, Agnikarma, and Jalaukavacharana
• Pre-operative and post-operative care using Ayurvedic principles
• Management of non-healing wounds, sinuses, abscesses, fistulas, and piles

Key Conditions Treated

• Arsha (Piles/Hemorrhoids)
• Bhagandara (Fistula-in-ano)
• Nadi Vrana (Sinus)
• Vidradhi (Abscess)
• Vrana (Wounds and ulcers)
• Granthi/Gulma (Benign swellings and masses)
• Urinary calculi, hydrocele, and hernia (co-management or pre-/post-op support)
• Varicose veins and chronic ulcers
• Kshudra rogas like Warts, Corn, Nail bed infection, Indralupta(Alopaceia-Patchy hair loss) etc
• Orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions managed via Agnikarma and Raktamokshana

ANUSHALYA KARMA – PARA-SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Rakta mokshana

Agnikarma

Kshara Karma and Kshara Sutra

Rakta mokshana – Blood letting therapy

Letting out of the impure blood from the body in called as Raktamokshana.
It includes mainly 4 methods i.e.,

Siravyadha – letting out the blood in controlled manner by puncturing the specific vein which is practised as venesection.
To relieve sarva dahika (Generalised) dosha
Rakta dushita vyadhi (Disease caused due to intoxicated blood) like Siragranthi(Varicose vein), Gridhrasi (Sciatica), Apasmara (Epilepsy), Pada daha(burning sensation in foot), vata rakta(Gout), Vicharchika(Skin disorder), Pleeha and Yakruta roga(diseases of liver and spleen), pain conditions like katigraha(low back ache), Bahu shosha, Avabahuka(frozen shoulder), Sandhivata(joint pain), Vatakantaka (Calcaneal spur/Plantar fascitis), Shrioroga ( headache caused due to stress, migraine, excess exposure to sun) etc

Pracchanna – Scraping by multiple superficial incision
To relieve sthanika (localised) dosha
A type of raktamokshana which is done by giving multiple pricks or incision using lancet on the surface of body in straight, not very near or far to each other, fine, not very deep, not very superficial and quick in action to let out the impure blood.
Indicated in conditions like patchy hair loss or Alopecia, few skin disorders mainly caused due to vata and pitta, Shwitra (Vitiligo/ white skin patch) etc

Jalukavacharana – Leech or Hirudin therapy
To relieve sthanika (localised) dosha
Indicated in all Pittaja and Raktaja disorders mainly indicated in sukumara (sensitive patient), over marma sthana (vital spots).

Gati Yantra, Shringa – Modified into cupping therapy
Indicated in vata vitiated diseases and also for pain management, patchy lightening of skin etc.

Agnikarma – A controlled thermal therapy

A traditional technique of treating the disease using Agni(fire) either directly or by conductive method.
Direct method is applying heat directly over targeted point using Shalaka.

Agnikarma, in its most basic understanding, is the therapeutic application of heat. Heat energy can have the ability to fundamentally change and stimulate any area of our body on a cellular level. In this way, Agnikarma, or the therapeutic application of heat, can control inflammation, infection, blood circulation, and even promote healing. Agnikarma as a treatment channels the essence of this transformative fire. Through the targeted application of heat to specific areas or points of the body, impurities, ailments and imbalances are said to be “burned away”. This is not just a physical act, but a deeply symbolic one.

Agnikarma is about targeting the right points and applying the heat in a controlled manner. The heat acts on the soft tissues, increases blood flow to the affected area and stimulates the natural healing mechanisms.

Commonest indication of Agnikarma:

• Acute and Chronic pain management in conditions like Gridhrasi (Sciatica), Avabahuka (Frozen shoulder), Vishwachi (Cervical Spondylosis), Sandhigata vata (Joint pain and stiffness), Ankle sprain, Tennis elbow, Katigraha (Low back ache), Vatakantaka (Calcaneal spur), migraine and other pain conditions

• Ano-rectal cases like Bahya Arsha (external haemorrhoids/Sentinel pile), Bhagandara (Fistula- in-Ano), Parikartika (Fissure in ano).

• Charmakeela (Warts), Kadara (Corn) etc

Viddhagnikarma – Modified form of Agnikarma

A type of transforming heat after puncturing the specific point using copper needles to reach the deeper structures and stimulates the nerve as well as increases the blood circulation which helps in healing and regeneration of the affected site. Viddhakarma helps in pain management in various conditions.

Kshara Karma – Alkaline therapy

Kshara means caustic substance from the ashes of medicinal plants. These Kshara’s are alkaline as well as non-invasive therapy which is useful to treat various conditions.
Kshara karma are used as Bahya (Externally) and Abhyantara (Internally)

Bhaya prayoga (External application) of Kshara in:

• Arshas (Hemorrhoids/piles)

• Bhagandara (Fistula-in-ano)

• Charmakeela (Warts, skin growths)

• Parikartika (Anal fissures)

• Dushta vrana (Non-healing wounds and chronic ulcers)

• Twak vikara or Kustha (Certain Skin infections e.g., fungal infections)

• Nadivrana (Sinus conditions) etc.

Abhyantara Prayoga (Oral Administration) of Kshara:

• Amlapitta

• Ashmari (Pittashaya ashmari-Cholelithiasis, Mutrashmari – Renal calculi)

• Gulma (Abnormal growth in abdomen)

• Krimi roga (intestinal Worm infestation) etc.

Kshara sutra therapy – Medicated alkaline thread

Applied in conditions like Bhagandara (Fistula-in-Ano), Nadivrana (Pilonidal sinus), Arshas (Haemorrhoids), Charmakeela (Warts, Papilla) etc.