Introduction

The kakashadhara marma is the first marma in the upper extremity. The ‘kaksha’ region refers to root of the arm (armpit). The word ‘dhara’ means bearing or holding. As the name ‘kakshadhara’ suggests, this marma site is located in the region where arm connects to the shoulder with the help of muscles and ligaments. It's stimulation is beneficial in the disorders related to shoulder.

Width / size of kakshadhara marma: Ek angula (one finger)
Type of marma: Snayu marma (ligamentous marma)
Number of marma: 2 (one on each side of shoulder)

Why kakshadhara marma ?

The kakshadhara marma stimulation is very beneficial for patients of frozen shoulder or patients having stiffness in the shoulder joint. Also if there is muscle wasting or pain in the upper shoulder region or scapular region, this marma point can be stimulated. It provides relief from various disorders such as hemiplegia, shoulder subluxation, arthritis involving the shoulder, tennis elbow, brachialgia. It is also good for improving the lymphatic drainage from the axillary region. Acharya Sushrut defined kakshadhara marma as “vakalya marma” or disability causing marma if there is a severe trauma on it. Thus the injury on this marma site can lead to bahushosh (muscle wasting) or disability in the upper limb. As marma are vital points of the body, therefore you should be cautious to protect these sites from any kind of injury.

Technique of stimulation of kakshadhara marma

Locating the marma site: The actual site of stimulation of kakshadhara marma is just two finger beneath the lateral 1/3rd of clavicle. Anatomically it lies in the deltopectoral groove just below the lateral one third of the clavicle of the corresponding shoulder and two finger inferior to the acromioclavicular joint anteriorly. For locating the marma site, the patient should sit straight and in a relaxed manner because if the muscles are stout then the marma point won’t be accessible properly. Moreover, the head should not be tilted or bend downwards while doing marma therapy. Before starting the stimulation ask the patient to relax by deep breathing.

Stimulation by practitioner: The kakshadhara marma can be stimulated both in sitting posture as well as supine posture. However, it is better to stimulate it in sitting posture. The doctor stands in front of the patient and keep his thumb on the marma point while the four fingers goes on the back for the support where the coracoid process lies. An imaginary line is created from the marma point to the coracoid process and with the help of the pulp of the thumb, he applies the pressure slightly upwards and backwards. It is important to note that the pressure should not be applied downwards as vital brachial vessels and nerves passes beneath the marma point and applying pressure there may lead to the injury of the brachial plexus.

For self marma therapy: For stimulation of left kakshadhara marma, the left shoulder is held by the right hand by keeping the elbow close to the chest at 30-35 degrees from the midaxillary line. Then with the pulp of the thumb apply the pressure pointing upwards and backwards from the marma point. It is appropriate to press the marma point when you are exhaling and release when you are inhaling. The whole press and release action will take approximately 3 secs. The rhythm of stimulation is same as the rhythm of our respiration i.e approx 18 times per minute. In other words, it is the intermittent pressure that we apply for the stimulation of kakshadhara marma and not the continuous pressure. The marma point is stimulated for 18-20 times per sitting and can be done 3-4 times a day. However, morning and evening are the most suitable times for stimulation of marma sites. Since both the sides are necessary to stimulate for effective results, the vice-versa process is repeated for the other side of the shoulder.

Determining the pressure to stimulate the marma point !

The pressure application on kakshadhara marma is moderate. The word moderate here can be stated as 6-8 pounds pressure approximately. However the amount of pressure applied also depends on the age of the patient, the sensitivity or satav of the patient whether the patient is prabhav satav, madhiyam satav or aava satav. So based on some of these criteria as we determine what should be the adequate pressure. For self marma therapy you should apply a bearable pressure. You should note that applying slightly less pressure is okay but we should not try to apply extra pressure as there are chances of injury like swelling, hematoma, or loss of restricted movement of the shoulder joint. It is advisable for the beginners to stimulate the marma points on self initially and once we practice it under expert clinical guidance we can do it on others.

So when you are able to stimulate the marma point by yourself, then you can try on others as and when needed. Kakshadhara marma is specifically used for treatment of stiff shoulder joint, and it also helps in promoting health and longevity.