Koorpara Marma: Anatomical Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Koorpara Marma is one of the delicate and vital points of the body located in the upper limbs, especially in the elbow joints.  It is located at the elbow joint. 

Location, number

कूर्पराख्ये कुणिः।(सु.शा.६)
Location –
Koorpara Marma is located both in upper limbs, at the junction of the arm and the forearm i.e. exactly at the elbow joint to be precise. In the lower limb, this marma is represented by Janu Marma or marma located at the knee joint.
2 in number, 1 in each upper limb, at the elbow joint.

Exact location of Kurpara Marma in the limbs:
In the upper limb – Koorpara Marma is located in both upper limbs (left and right elbow joints). The Marma is located exactly at the junction of the bahu (arm) and prabahu (forearm).

Categories

Categories in which the Koorpara Marma is included
Koorpara Marma is classified into various categories. They are as below mentioned –
i) Shaka Gata Marma (Shaaka=Limb) – Since Kurpara Marma is located in the limbs, upper limbs to be precise; they are classified under shaaka gata marmas.

ii) Sandhi Marma – Kurpara marma is predominantly made up of Sandhi, i.e. the joint or components making the wrist joint. The bony joint formed at the elbow joint forms the structural component of this Marma. Therefore it is classified under Sandhi Marma. The other tissues are recessive or present in less proportion, namely Sira (blood vessels), Asthi (bone), Snayu (ligaments, tendons, nerves) and Mamsa (muscles).

iii) Vaikalyakara Marmas – (Vaikalya – deformity, Kara – forming) – Kurpara Marmas on getting injured causes vaikalya or deformity of the structures, the elbow joint to be precise.  Since Koorpara Marma causes deformity, it is classified under Vaikalyakara Marma (deformity forming Marma).

Measurement

Pramana (measurement of Manibandha Marma) –
3 angula dimension (1 angula is approximately equal to the horizontal dimension or breadth of middle segment of one’s own middle finger)

Effect of Injury

कूर्पराख्ये कुणिः।(सु.शा.६)
Injury to the Kurpara Marma causes leads to Kunthataa (functional deformity) of the elbow joints. Lot of our works and daily activities are dependent on the fine and sensitive actions done by elbow joints and the articulations related to these joints. When the Marma located at the Koorpara Marma gets injured, these activities are hampered leading to functional impairment.

Modern perspective

Modern Perspective (Practical anatomy) of Koorpara Marma
Structures falling in the area of Koorpara Marma –

• Elbow Joint
• Capsular ligament
• Radial collateral ligament
• Ulnar collateral ligament
• Annular ligament

The muscles, blood vessels and other tissues too are present around the Kurpara Marma. But the Marma mainly comprises of the joints and the bony ends involved in making the elbow joint. Therefore it is a Sandhi Marma.

When the Koorpara Marma is injured, all the structures involved around this marma i.e. sira (blood vessels), asthi (bones), mamsa (muscles) and snayus (ligaments, tendons etc) may get damaged but the sandhi or joint which chiefly make up the structure of Kurpara Marma tends to get severely injured in comparison to other structures. The impact of injury too will be due to the effect of injury to the sandhi component.

Just Before Finishing
Elbow joints are important hinge joints which help in keeping the flexibility of the upper limbs. Much of our daily activities depend on the flexibility and range of movements which take place at this joint. Painful conditions of these joints should not be ignored or neglected. The Kurpara may be injured in these instances and pain in the joints may be an early indication of the impending functional deformities!!
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)

Marma therapy for diabetes

Pressing and releasing repeatedly on this Marma of the hand for 10 – 15 times helps to lower blood sugar level. This needs to be done once or twice everyday.
This stimulation is also helpful to lose weight.
The elbow should be kept straight while stimulating.