An immediate pain relief with Agnikarma therapy for acute episode of migraine headache—a case report

A 58-year-old non-diabetic, non-hypertensive, non-dyslipidemic, euthyroid lady with a known case of migraine for last 10 years approached our hospital complaining of a severe right-sided throbbing headache in the temple area and behind the right ear for three days. She approached our hospital as she did not get any relief from painkillers. An intensity of 10 was recorded on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and 8 on the Global Assessment of Migraine Severity (GAMS) Scale. The case was diagnosed to be vatika shirashula on ardhavabhedaka, with no pitta-rakta association. She was posted for Agnikarma therapy [AGT]. Immediately, within 2 min of application of AGT on her right temple, her intense pain reduced, and within 5 min she had no pain [zero on VAS scale and one on GAMS scale]. Samyak mamsa dagdha lakshana was achieved. AGT was tolerable and did not produce any major discomforts. No adverse effects were reported. Patient experienced a mild burning sensation over the AGT, and the blackish discoloration due to AGT faded off within 41 days. AGT could be used as a potent, cheap, fast-acting, adverse effect free emergency treatment for acute attacks of migraine headache.