Gulpha Marma: Anatomical Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Gulpha Marma is one of the delicate and vital points of the body located in the foot, especially in the ankle joints.
पाद जङ्गयोः सन्धाने गुल्फो नाम, तत्र रुजः स्तब्ध पादता खञ्जता वा।(सु.शा.६) 

Location, number

Location  – Ankle joints
Number – 2 in number

Exact location of Gulpha Marma in the limbs:
Gulpha Marma is the counterpart of Manibandha Sandhi or Manibandha Marma (wrist joint) which is located in the upper limb. The Marma is located exactly at the junction of Pada (foot) and Jangha (leg).

Categories

Categories in which the Gulpha Marma is included
i) Shaka Gata Marma (Shaaka=Limb) – Since Gulpha Marma is located in the limbs, lower limbs to be precise; they are classified under shaaka gata marmas i.e. Marmas located in the limbs. They are present in the upper limbs at the ankle joints.

ii) Sandhi Marma – Gulpha marma is predominantly made up of Sandhi, i.e. the joint or components making the ankle joint. The bony joint formed at the ankle 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) Rujakara Marmas (Ruja – Pain, Kara – Causing) – These Marmas cause severe pain on getting damaged. Gulpha Marma on getting injured causes Ruja or severe pain in the feet (lower limb) or ankle joints. Since the marma causes pain it is classified as Rujakara Marma or ‘pain causing Marma’.

Measurement

Pramana – measurement – 2 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

तत्र रुजः स्तब्ध पादता खञ्जता वा।(सु.शा.६)
Injury to the Gulpha Marma causes
Stabdha – rigidity, stiffness, catch and
Khanjata (functional deformity) of the foot or lower limb.

Modern perspective

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

  • Ankle Joint
  • Distal tibio-fibular articulation
  • Medial malleolar ligament
  • Anterior ligament
  • Longus ligament
  • Deltoid ligament
  • Posterior ligament
  • Anterior Talo-fibular ligament
  • Posterior Talo-calcaneal ligament
  • Fibulocalcaneal ligament
  • Lateral Talo-calcaneal ligaments
  • Tarsal articulations

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

When the Gulpha Marma gets injured, all the structures involved around this marma i.e. sira (blood vessels), asthi (bones), mamsa (muscles) and snayus (ligaments, tendons etc) may be susceptible to get damaged but the sandhi or joint which chiefly make up the structure of Gulpha 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
Ankle joints help us in accomplishing many activities of daily movement, especially those related to movement or locomotion. We all have evolved on our feet. One cannot guess to do most of the activities without the involvement of ankle joint. The movements which take place at this well designed joint makes many of our daily activities easy and effortless. Any pain and or stiffness in these joints should be addressed immediately. Your Gulpha Marma may be seriously affected. Any negligence may lead to irreversible damage, functional and structural impairment of the ankle joints and severe pain!!
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)

Marma therapy

stimulating this marma helps in the treatment of paralysis and also in loss of libido.

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