Amsaphalaka Marma: Components, Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Amsaphalaka is an important Marma i.e. vital or delicate point in the body. It is located in the upper back, one on either side of the vertebral column (backbone) in the scapular region. It is predominantly made up of asthi (bone).  

Amsaphalaka Marma
पृष्ठ उपरि पृष्ठवंशम् उभयतः त्रिक संबद्धे अंसफलके नाम, तत्र बाह्वोः स्वाप शोषौ।(सु.शा.६)

Location

Amsaphalaka Marmas are located one on either side of the upper part of the Prushta Vamsha (Spine, Backbone). They are located in the region of Trika (scapula). Trika is a place where 3 bones meet i.e. Scapula (triangular, wing shaped bone at the back of shoulder), Humerus (arm bone) and Clavicle (color bone).

Categories

Categories in which the Amsaphalaka Marma is included
i) Prushta Gata Marma (Prushta = Back)
ii) Asthi Marma – Amsaphalaka marma is predominantly made up of Asthi i.e. bones, which form the structural component of this Marma. The other elements namely Snayu (ligaments), Siraa (blood vessels, veins), Sandhi (bony joints) and Mamsa (muscles) are also present but in a lesser proportion.

iii) Vaikalyakara Marma – (Vaikalya kara – deformity forming) Amsafalaka Marmas when injured are said to produce deformity of the body or part of the body wherein the marma is damaged.

Measurement

Pramana (measurement of Amsaphalaka Marma) –
Amsaphalaka Marma occupies a space of ½ angula dimension (approximately equal to the horizontal dimension or breadth of middle segment of one’s own middle finger)

Effect of Injury

तत्र बाह्वोः स्वाप शोषौ।(सु.शा.६)

Injury of Amsaphalaka Marma causes deformity.
Injury of Amsaphalaka Marma leads to Bahu Swaapa (numbness or loss of sensation in the upper limbs) and Bahu Shosha (emaciation or thinning of the upper limbs and shoulder areas).

Modern perspective

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

• Right and Left Scapulae
• Arteries of Scapular Region
• Veins of Scapular Region
• Nerves of Scapular Region

Though all the elements which comprise a marma i.e. snayu (ligaments), mamsa (muscles), siraa (veins) and sandhi (joints) are all present in the site of this Marma, it is predominant in the asthi or bones making up the Amsaphalaka Marma, therefore it is a Sandhi Marma.

When Ansaphalak marma gets damaged, the effect of injury will chiefly involve the bones of the Trika region, mainly those joints in the region of Amsaphalaka Marma in comparison to the extent of damage caused to other tissues.
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)