Krikatika Marma: Components, Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay)
Krikatika is an important Marma i.e. vital or delicate point in the body. It is located at the junction of head and neck. It is predominantly made up of Sandhi (bony joints). 

 Krukaatika Marma
शिरो ग्रीवयोः सन्धाने कृकाटिके, तत्र चल मूर्द्धता।(सु.शा.६)

Location

Krukatika Marma is located at the junction of the Shira (head) and Greeva (neck). They are 2 in number and are located one on either side of the neck at its junction with head.

Categories

Categories in which the Krukaatika Marma is included
i) Shiro-Greeva Gata Marma (Shiro = Head, Greeva = Neck)
ii) Sandhi Marma – Krukaatika marma is predominantly made up of Sandhi i.e. bony joints. The other elements namely Snayu (ligaments), Siraa (blood vessels, veins), Asthi (bones) and Mamsa (muscles) are also present but in a lesser proportion.

iii) Vaikalyakara Marma – (Vaikalya kara – deformity forming) Krukaatika Marmas when injured are said to produce deformity.

Measurement

Pramana (measurement of Krukaatika Marma) –
Krikatika 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 चल मूर्द्धता।(सु.शा.६)
Injury of Krukaatika Marma causes deformity.

Injury of Krukaatika Marma leads to ‘Chala Moordhata’ i.e. instability of the head. The head keeps shaking and trembling involuntarily.

Modern perspective

Modern Perspective (Practical anatomy) of Krukaatika Marma
Structures falling in the area of Krukaatika Marma –
Atlanto-Occipital Joint
Ligaments and membranes of Atlanto-Occipital joint

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

When Krukaatika marma gets damaged, the effect of injury will chiefly involve the joints, mainly those joints in the region of Krukaatika Marma in comparison to the extent of damage caused to other tissues.

Just Before Finishing
Krukaatika Marmas form the junction of head and neck and thus the most delicate area. Any injury to this Marma causes instability to the head. Therefore any injury or painful conditions or swelling in this area should be addressed with top priority since Krukaatikaa Marma would be involved.
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)

Krukatika Marma Therapy

Stimulating Krukatika Marma:
Pressing and releasing the Krukatika marma is useful for in frozen shoulder, headache, migraine and cervical spondylosis.
Thumbs of both hands are placed on each side and they are rolled gently on Krikatika marma with mild to moderate pressure for 1 – 2 minutes.
This is also useful in relieving neck stiffness due to cervical spondylosis