Unlocking the Secrets of Phana Marma: A Fascinating Study on Cranium Injury

Abstract

Many secrets are hidden at the core of Ayurveda science. Marma Vigyan is about those hidden traumatological points. It is fascinating to learn about the concept of Marmas in Ayurveda and the significance of Phana marma in particular. It is believed to have serious consequences if injured. Phana Marma is considered Vaikalyakara Marma, located in the Nasal region of the head, and plays an important role in the clinical aspect. Head injuries are considered serious due to the possibility of brain involvement, mostly occurring in road traffic accidents, the person dies or gets serious deformities. Here in Phana Marma, the underlying structures are the olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb which help in the sense of smell. If these get injured leads to Gandha Agyanam (Anosmia). Anosmia could be temporary or permanent depending on severity. In the present case report, A 25-year-old male patient had an accident resulting in head injury, swelling on the face, contused lacerated wound on the left eyebrow & eyelid with Nasal bleeding. On examination the patient was conscious, oriented, moving all 4 limbs, and had lost his sense of smell. Further examination revealed that he had a head injury, fractures in the nasal bone, nasal septum, and right maxilla. The patient underwent surgery and slowly recovered. However, he did not regain his sense of smell for nearly two weeks after the surgery. He gradually began to detect intense odors, and it took him almost three months to fully recover. In the present case report, the author is trying to evaluate the Viddhalakshana of Phana Marma.