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Sparshana or palpation method is one of the
methods for assessment of diseases. In this method, the practitioner
examines a person by touching.
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Touching Method in Ayurveda (Palpation Method)
 In
Ayurveda, the diagnosis and treatment of disease is always individual
basis. As Ayurveda treats according to the constitution of an
individual, it is known as a highly accurate and personalized method of
analyzing diseases. In Ayurveda there are different stages of diagnosis
of disease. The five method of diagnosis is called nidanpanchak. For
assessing the specific symptoms there are three fold examination, eight
fold examination and ten fold examination. The threefold examination or
trividh pariksha as it is called, consists of
- sparshana (palpation method)
- darshana (inspection)
- prashna (interrogation)
sparshana (palpation method) is one of the methods
from the first triad described in Trividh Pariksha for the assessment of
diseases. In this method, the medical practitioner examines a person by
touching. The factors, which sometimes cannot be understood by
inspection, are better known by palpation. The cognitive organ of touch
i.e., the skin carries out this examination. Pulse reading, temperature
reading, blood pressure monitoring, coldness, hotness, clamminess,
dryness, intolerance to touch, finger test over the eye balls to assess
the intraocular pressure, palpation of glands and tumor (gulmalgranthi),
palpation and percussion of ascitis qalodara are tool for diagnosis.
The skin, which is thin, mobile, dry, coarse, wrinkled, dusky,
pigmented and cold to touch, denotes Vata dominance.
The skin, which is wheatish, coppering, shining, moist, soft, firm, and
hot to touch, denotes Pitta dominance.
The skin, which is soft, thick, whitish, smooth, moist and wet to
touch, denotes Kapha dominance.
The following factors can be understood by palpation:
- Reflexes
- Rigidity or softness of different organs.
- Temperature of the body.
- Texture of the skin.
- Swelling and tumour.
- Flatulence and ascites.
- Stages of different wounds and ulcers.
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