Ayurvedic Treatments
How the remedies and therapeutic applications work
The medicinal oils, partially heated, cause an increase in the temperature of the connective tissues, dilation of the blood vessels and thus improved blood circulation. As a result of this mechanism of action, the metabolism in the organism is stimulated, because it is also closely related to blood circulation and pressure in the capillaries. The gentle and evenly performed massage technique leads to muscle contractions and makes the joints supple. It also improves lymphatic and venous return, preventing congestion and stagnation in the capillaries.
The massage oil, enriched with many medicinal herbs, is absorbed into the body through the skin. This happens due to the gentle osmotic pressure of the massage technique and the increased activity of the nervous system as well as the blood circulation. This form of therapy calms and balances the overactive doshas and subsequently harmonizes the entire organism.
The exchange of metabolic products between the blood circulation and the connective tissue is stimulated. Deposits of fluids in the connective tissue are reduced and the entire tissue is gently loosened and stretched.
With the help of the massage technique and the applied oils, the supply of muscle tissue is improved and extravascular fluids can drain away. The result of these applications is a short-term dilation of capillaries, relaxation of muscle tissue and the resulting relief from pain.
Daily application of massage, lasting at least seven days, guarantees thorough detoxification of tissues and drainage of waste products from the organism, thus improving metabolism.
Physical and mental rest during the treatment period allows the body to find its balance, eliminate all disease factors and restore optimal functioning.
The first feelings of success can already be felt at the beginning of the treatments. The various therapies are applied for seven days at a time and are individually adapted to the needs of the patient. In the respective cases, different therapy techniques are usually combined and carried out in a seven-day rhythm until a satisfactory healing success has been achieved.
Types of therapies
There are many different forms of therapies and treatment protocols in Ayurvedic Medicine. All treatments are administered and supervised by the physician in charge and are based on the exact diagnosis of the body and mind of the patient. All herbs and oils used in the applications are carefully tailored to the individual´s needs. Often a trained therapist does the massages and applications and takes care of the patient throughout the therapies. The following list is a short overview of some of the treatments often used in the Panchakarma treatment protocol. The decisive difference that ensures a successful treatment is the fact that the doctor in charge prescribes the correct treatments for his clients. In most Ayurveda centers in Europe, the patient can choose the treatment from a list and therefore this type of therapy is at best a wellness program that results in a nice experience but cannot be compared to a genuine Ayurvedic treatment.
Important forms of therapy for the treatment of rheumatism, paralysis and nerve disorders are the following special massages, which are often performed only in selected clinics in Kerala: Pizhichil, Nararakizhi, Sirassekam and Sirovasti.
Pizhichil
Pizhichil is used for stiffness and pain in the joints and limbs. It is also recommended for sprained joints, paralysis, diabetes, hypertension and asthma. In addition, it is extremely effective in regenerative processes for elderly or rapidly aging people.
During the Pizhichil application, the patient lies on a special massage table with indentations for the drainage of the oil used. Using a gentle massage technique, the oil, heated to 60 degrees, is spread over the entire body or on the affected areas and gently massaged in. The treatment lasts from 60 to 90 minutes.
If the expected healing success does not occur, the Navarakizhi is additionally applied.
Navarakizhi
Navarakizhi is a widely used massage technique in Kerala and is specially designed for nervous disorders, chronic rheumatism, joint problems, obesity and blood impurities.
In this form of massage, the patient’s entire body is treated with a mixture of melted ghee, special brown rice and cooked plant extracts. This treatment is continued for a week and lasts about 45 minutes.
Sirassekam
Sirassekam is used for headaches, fatigue, rheumatic complaints, diabetes and ear, nose and throat problems. Here the patient is given an oil pour on the forehead, the oil then flows from the forehead over the head.
Sirovasti
Sirovasti is a form of therapy for the treatment of patients with sensory disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, chronic headaches, hearing loss, neuralgia and eye diseases. In Sirovasti, the medicinal oils remain on the head longer by means of a special application technique.
Panchakarma
The central and probably best known treatment series is the Panchakarma therapy. Pancha means five and karma is action. So the Panchakarma is a five-folded treatment series that patients can undergo in selected Ayurvedic clinics. This therapy aims at detoxifying the whole organism and restore the balance of the doshas or constitutional attributes. The detoxing and purifying effect of Panchakarma cleanses and rejuvenates the body and sharpens the mind. As the accumulation of toxins in the tissues of the body is the cause of many diseases and ailments, Panchakarma is the central treatment protocol in Ayurveda to restore balance and health to the person undergoing this therapy. Like every other form of therapy, Panchakarma is always tailored to the individual needs of the patient and carefully supervised and checked by the physician in charge.
The treatment usually lasts about 3 weeks and includes a special diet mainly consisting of rice, curries and dahls and lots of gently prepared vegetables and fruits. Depending on the condition of the patient, special food items can be included to help the purifying action of Panchakarma. At the clinic in Karunagapally, all food items are organically grown and freshly prepared on a daily basis. The cooking is supervised by Dr. Bhanumaty. The patients also get plenty of herbalized water that has been purified and also helps the body to get rid of toxins and accumulated waste products.
After carefully diagnosing the patient and checking the doshic constellation, a treatment plan is administered by Dr. Prakash and most of the therapies are done by his trained therapists. Some of the treatments are also executed by Dr. Bhanumaty and Dr. Saraswahti, Dr. Prakash´s wife and daughter. All the applications are supervised and regularly checked by Dr. Prakash himself and a daily consultation hour is held every evening. If a question arises, Dr. Prakash is always available to answer in detail and time is never rushed with him.
Generally the Panchakarma includes the following steps:
- Daily medicated oil massages
- Detoxifying applications with heated herbal massage pads
- A gentle laxative action after the first week
- Daily nasal purification action
- Individualized heated oil and rice-milk applications
The treatment at Dr. Prakash´s clinic also includes individually administered herbal supplements and medicines prepared by him and his wife and daughter. The whole process is therefore supervised by Dr. Prakash and his team and this ensures the best outcome possible. If the patient is willing, supplementation with herbal pills, medicated oils and other prescribed items can continue over a longer period of time at home. If questions arise after the therapy, Dr. Prakash is often available via the Internet or telephone and always takes time to satisfy all needs of his clients.
After a complete Panchakarma treatment, a certain period of rest is required. It is best to take at least two to three weeks time to relax as much as possible and only take a daily walk and not undergo any physical or mental strain. This is due to the fact that all the tissues, muscles and joints are loosened up and detoxified and need a period of rest to strengthen up again. During and after the resting period, a mild diet including lots of vegetables, salads, rice and fruits is recommended. The patient can slowly start to put more strain on the body and increase the workload step by step. If any special requirements or recommendations have to be observed, Dr. Prakash will inform his patients in a detailed and comprehensive way before they return home. If the person is willing, Dr. Prakash can also prescribe and teach certain forms of Meditation, Yoga or the reciting of Vedic Mantras to further assist the healing and rejuvenating process. Usually, a complete lifestyle package, in compliance with the individual´s daily routine can be prescribed. To ensure the best possible outcome, it is good to incorporate the tips given by Dr. Prakash into one´s routines back home.
Specialized treatments
Ayurvedic treatments are always tailored to the individual needs of the patient. Therefore Ayurveda has a long history of research and doctors and therapists have developed a long list of specialized treatment options for the ailments of humankind. Dr. Prakash himself has worked out a large number of highly effective therapy protocols and herbal formulations that he successfully used in his career to restore his patient’s health. As Ayurveda is a holistic approach to wellbeing, it covers all branches of medicine and treats the human as a whole and does not mainly focus on symptoms but on the underlying causes and contributing factors. This is the reason why so many treatment options are available without the need to contact different specialists and undergo a larger number of diagnostic approaches to successfully treat even complicated cases.
Specialized treatments can include the following options:
- Dhara – the application of medicated oils and special herbal liquids on the top of the head
- Shirodhara – the application of medicated oil on the forehead
- Prithvi Chikitsa – the application of mud and herbalized mud on different body parts
- Netra Vasti – a special eye treatment where purified and medicated ghee is applied on the eyes
- Sweda karma – a steam bath application to detoxify the body
This list is only a small insight into the huge repertoire of Ayurvedic forms of therapies that are available. If you have any questions concerning treatment possibilities for certain health issues, do not hesitate to contact us. Dr. Prakash has compiled an impressive record of proven cases where he restored the health of patients despite the fact, that they could not be fully cured by other medical approaches or healing systems.