The Essence of Sodhana Chikitsa – A Complete Detoxification Ayurveda Protocol | Best Ayurveda Hospital in Chennai

The Essence of Sodhana Chikitsa – A Complete Detoxification Ayurveda Protocol

Sodhana Chikitsa is all about internal purification. Indeed, this cleansing procedure is at the core of the Ayurvedic approach to restoring health. This extensive treatment involves removing metabolic toxins or ama from the body through a 3-stage procedure. A critical aspect of Sodhana Chikitsa is Panchakarma treatment. This Chikitsa is critical to helping the body regaining the balance between vata, pitta, and kapha rogas. In addition, the Chikitsa is the treatment of choice for many diseased conditions including arthritis and metabolic disorders. The treatment approach includes stimulating every mode of the body’s excretory system, from the sweat glands to the lower digestive tract.

What is Sodhana Chikitsa all about?

Ayurveda principles function on the principle that built-up ama within the body leads to most of diseases and disorders of the body, affecting the routine functioning and responsibilities of tissues and organs. These accumulated toxins are often the result of an inherent problem in the body or a collation of poor body routine, from types and timings of food to sleep habits. Sodhana Chikitsa helps remove all these accumulated toxins, thereby calming the body and mind and restoring every system’s inherent quality and balance. A collection of intensive treatment protocols including snehana, swedana, and the five critical steps of panchakarma, including virechana, vamana, vasthi, nasyam, and rakthamoksham, form the core of this Chikitsa.

This treatment protocol requires the person to be considerably strong since it can be an exhaustive procedure extending to weeks. So first consult your Ayurveda doctor before you decide.

Procedure of Sodhana Chikitsa

The procedure involves a wide spectrum of treatments divided into three stages:

Poorvakarma, or the preparatory stage; pradhanakarma or panchakarma treatment; and paschatkarma, or the post-detoxification treatment

Poorvakarma

The first step is preparatory and it includes complete oleation with medicinal Ayurveda oils and steaming to prepare the body for the intensive protocol involved in detoxification. This preparatory procedure improves circulation and gets the tissues ready to eliminate the toxins. The oleation could be in the form of abhyangam, shirovasti, pizhichil, or other forms massages, while steaming could also includes kizhis.

The essential elements of Panchakarma, the pradhanakarma

Virechana involves purgation induced by Ayurveda formulations, while vamana involves inducing emesis orally. Vasthi is an enema while nasyam involves delivering medication through the nasal cavity. However, rakthamoksham is not much in use nowadays since this involves blood-letting using leaches or needles.

Paschatkarma

This stage helps patients get back to their daily routine refreshed but with healthy food habits and lifestyle, including a stringent diet, exercise routine and sleep habits.

Sodhana Chikitsa although an intensive and time-consuming procedure is quite effective in cleansing the body from all toxins.

Contact me at The Madras Institute of Ayurveda for any questions you have about Sodhana Chikitsa or specific health conditions. You can connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ or call me at +91-9444615161.

Permanent Management and Control of Osteoarthritis Pain with Ayurveda Treatment

Osteoarthritis or Sandhigata Vata roga is a degenerative condition of joints. This means that the condition commonly results as people age because the cushioning agent between bones in the joints undergoes wear and tear. This leads to severe pain and restricted movement. Although I commonly see patients older than about 40 visiting my Ayurveda Clinic in Chennai for this condition, I have also worked with juvenile patients. Osteoarthritis is a condition that has attracted a lot of attention both in allopathy and in Ayurveda, primarily because of the challenges involved in its management.

What are the options available for the Ayurvedic treatment for osteoarthritis pain? Let’s find out.

What is osteoarthritis all about?

When the cushioning agent of the joints loses its elasticity over a long period of hard work, the bones start scraping each other painfully. This causes joint stiffness and all the other symptoms characteristic of this condition. Although there are no clear answers, Ayurveda connects this condition to Vata roga. Vata primarily has a drying tendency and hence causes the cushioning agent to degenerate and dry up. Ageing and stress or injury to the joints are the common causes for this roga.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

The common symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint stiffness, tenderness and pain, swelling, inflammation, and restricted movement. All these symptoms are observed to varying degrees, from manageable to completely debilitating. These symptoms can generally affect any joint in the body, especially those that bear weight, such as neck, knees, lower back, and hips. Severe limitations in leading a normal life also lead to emotional upheavals.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Allopathic medications focus on limiting pain and inflammation, with surgery as the final option. However, these approaches have limitations in terms of arresting the condition, undesirable side effects, and possible risks. Ayurveda, however, focuses on correcting the cause, that is, the vata roga. Hence, Ayurveda treatment approaches are much more effective in limiting the progress of the deterioration and in enabling the rejuvenation of the cushioning agents. Medications, exercise, Panchakarma, diet, and lifestyle changes are all part of the Ayurveda treatment approach. However, an expert Ayurveda doctor will first do an in-depth review to determine the cause and then prescribe the specific treatment module. Each treatment procedure will aim at rejuvenating the cushioning agent and strengthening the affected joints.

Diet

Avoid spicy and oily food, especially deep fried items. Consume food when they are freshly cooked and hot. Add a lot of proteins in your diet. Include ginger and pepper in your cooking. Avoid poor food habits as they lead to exacerbation of the vata roga. Ensure that your body is properly hydrated. However, avoid carbonated drinks. The key is to consume easily digestible foods.

Herbal medications

The pain caused by this condition is treated by specially prepared herbal formulations, whose ingredients are known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Common herbs include ginger, turmeric, triphala, and shatavari.

Massages

Follow Doctor-prescribed schedules for massages wit h warm oils, most commonly sesame oil. The massage is often done during the mornings. Abhyangams stimulate circulation of the blood in the body, removing toxins and reducing all sources of inflammation. Local and external application of medicated herbal oils is also recommended along with heat fomentations. This immediately soothes the pain and reduces the inflammation. But avoid excessive massaging of the affected areas since it might be contra-indicatory.

Panchakarma treatment

I highly recommend detoxification to help the joints heal effectively. However, given the physical strain involved in undergoing this entire procedure, do not choose this option unless your Ayurveda doctor feels that you are ready to take up this procedure.

Lifestyle changes

Practice correct postures and moderate exercises. Avoid strenuous workouts and tasks that worsen the joint wear and tear. Similarly, avoid a completely sedentary lifestyle that can stiffen the joints. Brisk walking and yoga are great options. Watch your weight as obesity can add a lot of strain on the joints. Practice meditation to calm your mind and bring a body-mind balance to your life and release your stress.

Management and control of osteoarthritis requires focused and sincere efforts to bring the desired results. But it also requires sticking to a healthy lifestyle and avoiding excessive stress. With the right Ayurveda guidance you can easily move from a restricted to a completely energetic way of living.

Contact me at The Madras Institute of Ayurveda for any questions you have about specific health conditions. You can connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ or call me at +91-9444615161.

Ashwagandha – the Superpower Herb of Ayurveda Having Rejuvenation Power

Ashwagandha has been the backbone of Ayurveda treatments for thousands of years. A true wonder drug, ashwagandha is known for its rejuvenating properties, its ability to beat stress, and its anti-ageing capabilities. Ashwagandha is popularly known as the Indian ginseng, thanks to the magical properties of its roots in building the body’s immunity and ojas and energy. The word Ashwagandha has two interpretations. The word literally means the smell of an ashwa or horse. This is interpreted as the literal smell of horse’s secretions, which is the smell of ashwagandha’s roots. It is also supposed to refer to the strength of the horse, representing the power of this herb.

Ashwagandha is a common ingredient in many energy- and immunity-boosting Ayurveda formulations. Hence, most of my patients at my Ayurveda clinic at Chennai are curious about its effects. Here are a few interesting uses of this wonder drug.

Benefits of Ashwagandha

This magical root has held the imagination of Indian and Western scientific worlds over the last many decades, with many studies evaluating its obvious and hidden benefits.

Ayurveda recommends this root for vata and kapha rogas. It is especially beneficial for neurological conditions, for boosting the immune system, for reproductive disorders, and for revitalizing the body.

Ashwagandha and stress relief

This powerful root is probably the most valuable for its stress relief properties. It has “adaptogenic” properties, which means that it guides the body to deal with stress. The root supports the adrenal glands in responding positively to stress, by mitigating the negative reactions of stress such as exhaustion, agitation, anxiety, and insomnia. It also rejuvenates the nervous system and immune system, energizing the entire body. As a result, the effects of stress do not negatively affect the body and resolve quietly over a period. In addition, these roots improve the body’s ojas and helps overcome insomnia. Unlike many allopathic sedatives, ashwagandha does not induce drug-dependent sleep, but it helps the body relax, encouraging the person to sleep.

Ashwagandha for a strong body

Ayurveda highly recommends these herbs for sportspersons since it exponentially improves exercise endurance and the body’s strength. It also reinforces the body’s immune system, which is critical for postsurgical care or recovery after illness or prolonged treatment. The medicinal herb helps in restoring the body’s balance of hormones, stimulating the digestive power of the body and improving the body’s overall fitness.

Ashwagandha is also the herb of choice to correct menstrual cycle disorders, providing strength and stamina to women,

Forms of intake

A churna or powder form of the roots is a popular formulation. Ayurveda doctors commonly mix this powder with milk and sometimes water and consumed at bedtime for stress relief. Milk and ashwagandha are both rejuvenators; hence their combined effects will bring relief to the body. Ghee and honey are also popular vehicles. When you mix Ashwagandha with sugar, the resulting combination cools the body. Doctors prefer this combination for women with menstrual disorders. We also use tablets, decoctions, and extracts of Ashwagandha.

However, ensure that you always consult an expert Ayurveda doctor for a detailed assessment and diagnosis before you decide to self-medicate. Not all conditions are conducive to the intake of these roots; for example, pregnancy, excessive toxins in the body, and a pitta-based body.

Contact me at The Madras Institute of Ayurveda for any questions you have about specific health conditions. You can connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ or call me at +91-9444615161.

Pure Ghee – The Magical, Secret Ingredient of Ayurveda

Pure ghee has been the royal ingredient of not just Ayurveda but also every important aspect of Indian living. It’s a symbol of love, happiness, celebration, prosperity, and health. In addition to the enviable power it wields in our homes, ghee has a special place in Ayurveda since it is considered to be one of the best fatty nutrients that helps calm a lot of disorders. Pure ghee has many incredible benefits. Our body undergoes complete detoxification with ghee as its primary medication carrier.

Ghee is the purest form of milk since it is clarified butter. Cow’s milk is considered the best source of ghee for human consumption and is ideal for balancing vata and pitta rogas. Of course, the older the ghee, the better it is – given its innumerable medical influences in Ayurveda. As an Ayurveda doctor ghee is one of my favorite ingredients both in my Ayurvedic formulations and the massages. Of course, Chennai has always been in love with the ghee! So let’s look at why Ayurveda also loves ghee so much.

Why’s pure ghee so special?

Ghee is sweet, but its cooling effect and light nature help in cooling the body, at the same time increasing its digestive power. No wonder, ghee has been a popular ingredient in Indian cooking since time immemorial. Ancient Ayurveda texts have also praised ghee as an ingredient that delays aging, probably given the percentage of antioxidants it has. Ghee is safe for almost all ages of people and improves the capability of all the sense organs.

Various applications of ghee

Ghee plays a constructive role in the body, helping in bone formation, which is useful when the body is healing from a fracture. As an extension, ghee also slows down the aging process
It is also of great use in case of gastritis or ulcers – both in the stomach and in the intestinal tract.
Pure ghee is also an excellent lubricant, helping in smoothening the connective tissue of the body
This magic ingredient is an incredible moisturizer and helps enhance the skin’s complexion.
Ghee plays a magical role in healing from burn injuries, skin rashes, and bedsores.
Pure ghee enables intelligence and stimulates thinking.
Ghee works wonders with our voice boxes, making us sound melodious
Complete detoxification with ghee is possible because of its ability to dissolve all the toxins and eliminate them from the body.
Ghee is a great replacement for the regular mouthwashes and gargles since they help retain the strength of gums and teeth

Ghee in common procedures

A critical step of panchakarma is detoxification with ghee, which involves preparing the body for the panchakarma treatment by giving patient ghee to consume. This helps in loosening the toxins which the body easily eliminates during panchakarma.

Netra basti is another important procedure where the treatment involves creating a small well around the eye and pouring warm ghee into it. The eyes become soft after this treatment.

Pure ghee is one of the most popular options for abhyanga, especially in the case of the person opting for a self-massage for the head, torso, limbs, and joints.

Conclusion – Detoxification with ghee – warnings

Ghee causes an imbalance of the kapha; hence Ayurveda does not recommend ghee in case of obesity and high cholesterol. Hence, when used in moderation, ghee can have a wide range of positive effects. Its benefits range from calming the mind to reducing the speed of aging. This makes ghee truly the superstar ingredient of Ayurveda.

Contact me at The Madras Institute of Ayurveda for any questions you have about how you can use ghee to deliver overall health benefits or in case of specific health conditions. You can connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ or call me at +91-9444615161.

Why Is Pizhichil the Most Recommended Ayurveda Treatment for Detoxification and Rejuvenation?

Pizhichil is indeed one of the most royal treatments within Ayurveda, thanks to its incredible recharging power. It’s one of the most popular treatments in my Ayurveda clinic. Although this treatment is known more for its relaxing and rejuvenating power, pizhichil also has many other benefits. A whole-body version of the shirodhara, pizhichil (which literally means squeezing) is called sarvanghdhara (pouring a thin stream of oil or other fluids across the entire oil). The oil used in this procedure is medicated and is poured all over the body in a synchronous format when the oil is lukewarm. Thus the combination of heat, massage, and medicated oils makes this a complete therapy.

Unlike other treatments, pizhichil often requires more than one therapists who would simultaneously massage different parts of the body. This is also not a single-session procedure. It takes anywhere between 7 and 28 days, depending on the body’s condition and the patient’s schedule.

What are the benefits of pizhichil?

Pizhichil is especially beneficial for overcoming Vata rogas. Since it involves massaging the entire body, pizhichil is a great rejuvenator for the nervous system, circulatory system, and muscles.

Detoxification

The procedure results in profuse sweating, which is a great way to eliminate toxins from the body. The result of this detoxification is a soft and glowing skin, a healthy circulatory system, and slowing the aging process.

Neurological and psychological benefits

This procedure helps in overcoming anxiety and depression. It is also helpful in reducing stress and related body stiffness and pain. Pizhichil has proven effects in managing neurological disorders too.

Managing medical conditions

Pizhichil helps control the blood pressure and contributes to treating rheumatic diseases and managing conditions such as arthritis, paralysis

Wellness

The symbiotic effects of massage, heat, and medicated oils result in a complete feeling of wellness, improving mental and physical well being. It also enables quick recovery after your body fights an illness or infection by removing the fatigue and improving the body’s immunity.

The process

Pizhichil is an elaborate process requiring about 3 to 4 therapists, repeat sessions extending from 7 to 28 days, and with almost an hour per session. The patient usually lies down on a specially prepared treatment table. The entire body is covered with a warm medicated oil that is squeezed diligently from an oil-soaked piece of clean cloth. In parallel, more than one therapist massages the oil-soaked body gently. The process uses many liters of oil and this process takes almost an hour. The therapists take care to prevent the patient’s head from sweating. This procedure is repeated for each session, with the composition of the medicated oil changed depending on the patient’s body’s response to the procedure

Pizhichil – the complete rejuvenation package

Before you decide to go in for pizhichil definitely consult with an experienced Ayurveda doctor and ensure that your body is ready to undergo this multi-session procedure. A great option for rejuvenation and relaxation, pizhichil is indeed a “royal” indulgence for your body. The medicinal benefits of the oil that penetrates through every pore of your skin into your body will help in detoxification. The procedure also revives your tired mind and soul. This is a procedure that you can certainly treat your body to on a regular basis.

Contact me at The Madras Institute of Ayurveda for any questions you have about pizhichil and how this procedure can help your specific health condition or support your body in rejuvenation. You can connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ or call me at +91-9444615161.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Relief for through Ayurveda

One of the most common conditions I get to see in the recent times in my Ayurveda is severe wrist pain. Many of these patients are those who often work on the computer for prolonged periods or perform activities such as massages that require a lot of wrist movement. Their common symptoms include a sense of numbness that sometimes disappears when they shake, rotate, or move their wrist region. A common instance of pain is after long stretch of work, for example, on the computer. Do all these symptoms sound familiar? Yes? Then you are suffering from a common lifestyle disorder called carpal tunnel syndrome. What’s this syndrome all about? What is the Ayurveda treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome? Let’s find out.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel is the passage connecting the wrist to the forearm. A critical nerve called the median nerve passes through this region. Extended periods of activities such as typing, playing the piano, or carrying heavy weight can compress this nerve, leading to inflammation, pain, and numbness of the muscles in the wrist region. These symptoms when grouped together form the carpal tunnel syndrome. Women experience this syndrome more than men do. This condition is definitely related to our routine practices and is easily preventable.

Overuse of and excessive stress on the wrist easily exacerbates the condition. People whose professions involve excessive use of the wrists should be careful, for example, IT professionals, masseuses, drivers, people who work extensively on computers, writing, tailoring, playing the piano or other musical instruments that predominantly involve the wrist, and sportspersons whose games involve using the wrists.

Certain pre-existing medical conditions also increase the propensity for carpal tunnel syndrome. A few example conditions include arthritis and other conditions that affect the muscles and bones, diabetes, wrist fracture, menopausal stage in women, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Progression of the condition

Common symptoms such as a hint of discomfort after prolonged use of the wrists slowly progresses to pain not only in the wrists but also in the forearms. The pain continues even during sleep and expands to numbness and a burning sensation. If left unattended, over the course of time, this can affect the nerves too. A general sense of weakness prevails around the wrist region and there is difficulty in coordinating the fingers for coherent movement. This results in the patient often dropping items.

Ayurveda treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome

The earlier the treatment starts, the better the results are. The main focus of treatment at the initial stage is to clear the inflammation and relax the muscles in the wrist region. This requires some exercises and physical procedures including oil massages.

A complete lifestyle change is definitely recommended, incorporating yoga and diet restrictions in the patient’s routine.

This complete approach, aided by intake of herbal medications, will definitely rehabilitate patients. These corrective actions will encourage them to correct the lifestyle pattern that is causing the condition.

Other treatments include swedana, lepam, pizhichil, kizhi, and nasya. A condition-specific physical therapy routine and strict adherence to diet will completely cure this condition. Most of the treatment procedures aim at reclaiming the blood circulation around the affected regions and rejenuvating the median nerve.

A scheduled lifestyle, minimal stress, smart habits that minimize the strain on the wrist, and immediate correction of even the mildest of symptoms are smart approaches to nip the pain right at the bud stage.

Contact me at The Madras Institute of Ayurveda for any questions you have about this condition and for a detailed consultation and treatment to help you overcome carpal tunnel syndrome. You can connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ or call me at +91-9444615161.

Never Be Caught on the Wrong Foot: Smart Foot Care with Ayurveda

Our feet are a reflection of our health. Ayurveda indicates the feet to have some of the most critical marmas of the body. Hence, it’s really important for us to remember our feet when we think about our wellness. However, foot care is something we often ignore since it is considered as a luxurious splurge of money and attention. But most of us are indeed wrong. Caring for your feet or Pada is essential since most of the critical nerves end at the feet region. This means that keeping your feet happy is essential for a healthy living.

Wear and tear on your feet

Most actions of daily living that involve moving from one location to the other involve your feet. They also bear the weight of your body as you walk, run, or even stand. The workload on your feet is greater when you have to walk across uneven surfaces, move around on rough surfaces excessively, perform a lot of domestic work, do heavy labor outside, expose your feet to harmful chemicals, or use tight footwear. All these loads cause a lot of stress and wear and tear on your feet, making them prone to dryness, injury, and infection. However, just a little care can help you manage your feet well and nourish them with confidence.

Foot care with Ayurveda

Spending just a few minutes per day to take care of your stressed out feet will bring in amazing benefits.

Keep them clean

Ensure that your feet are always clean. Change your socks every day since the sweat from the socks can cause infection. Use only cotton socks as the synthetic versions can cause a lot of sweat. Wash them clean at least twice a day with warm water. Check to be sure that you have washed off all the soap from your feet and that the feet are well dried, especially between the toes. Else this will lead to fungal and other infections. Cut your nails clean every alternate week and keep them clean to avoid ingrown nails or dirt between nails and nail bed. Keep the floor of your home clean and walk barefoot when you are at home.

Keep them comfortable

Remember to wear comfortable shoes or other footwear that enables air circulation. Tight heels or shoes are not just uncomfortable, but they also hurt your toes and feet, applying excessive pressure and causing wounds. So find the size of your feet and buy just the right size. While wearing heels ensure that you do not go in for an unhealthy arch since this affects the bone structure of your feet and also builds pressure on your spine. All the friction and excessive pressure from heels and tight shoes can cause corns and calluses.

Foot massage or pada abhyangam

You really do not need an Ayurveda specialist to get a foot massage done. You can do it yourself at home. Regular foot massage not just refreshes your feet but also improves blood circulation to your feet, rejuvenating and detoxifying the entire body. This massage also has quite a calming effect and it moisturizes the feet well, removing all dryness. Foot massage can also improve the muscle tone, reducing chances of sciatica and foot-related infection. Adding ghee, sesame oil, coconut oil, or Ayurveda medications and creams meant for the feet can bring in maximum benefits, especially when performed just before bedtime. Of course, take the guidance of your Ayurveda doctor about the type of oil or cream to use and the procedure you can follow, since this depends on the type of roga your body has – vata or pitta.

Soaking your feet in Ayurveda herbs and medicated baths

If your daily routine cannot accommodate soaking your feet into a relaxing medicated bath, you can even go for this once a week. Soaking your ankles and feet for about 15 to 20 minutes in a shallow tub of warm water, with different types of ingredients such as rose petals or water, sandalwood, jasmine, coconut milk, aloe vera, etc., is the perfect combination. You can then rinse and dry off your feet. At all costs avoid cold water since it can trigger varicose veins. This procedure can also help you prevent foot odor.

Cracked heels

Cracked heels are called padadari and are categorized as a minor problem. This is a common condition caused by heavy workload to the heels, especially when working, walking, or standing on uneven ground on barefoot. People with cracked heels often have dry feet with cracks, which on worsening causes red itchy skin, pain in the heels, bleeding, and dry flakes. This can lead to infections when the condition is severe and foot ulcers in case of patients with diabetes. The solution to cracked heels is to ensure that the heels are always well moisturized. This can be done with regular foot massages, steam treatment, oil-based lepas, sesame oil and Ayurvedic creams. Ghee is also a great moisturizer, with turmeric or neem added to provide antiseptic effects.

Caring for your feet is not a luxurious option you have. Rather it is an absolute necessity. Your feet are a reflection of how healthy your body is. An unkempt feet is an indication that your body is prone to health complications and exposed to unnecessary back problems. So focus on healthy feet, foot care, and footwear right away.

Contact me for any questions you have about using the right external medication, cream, or oils to care for your feet, or to find out more about foot massages. You can connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ or call me at +91-9444615161.

The Magical Rejuvenation Treatment in Ayurveda – Rasayana Chikitsa

As an Ayurveda doctor practicing in my Chennai clinic, I receive a lot of excited inquiries about the magical rejuvenation treatment. Some of the questions are unrealistic, almost expecting fairytale solutions from the treatment. Hence, through this article I have provided a quick introduction to rasayana chikitsa or rejuvenation treatment, which is all about restoring the body’s health, strength, and longevity, and refurbishing the cells and tissues for building immunity. This elaborate treatment involves a comprehensive set of treatments including diet, herbal medications, exercise, physical treatments, and lifestyle modifications that nourish the body and restore its balance. However, despite all its brilliant influences on the body, using the wrong approach can have harmful effects. Hence, “rasa” or the essence of life and “ayana” or the body’s channels that transfer the rasa across to all the cells can be beneficial only when performed under expert monitoring.

Specific benefits of rejuvenation treatment

This treatment beautifies the skin, revitalizing it, toning it, and bringing a glow. It builds resistance to diseases, delivering physical energy, mental clarity, and anti-aging properties. The treatment also calms the mind, improves memory power, and catalyzes longevity. The treatment is said to nurture wellness and help the body recover after illnesses or excessive fatigue and exhaustion. It works from the bones to the muscles and reverses the harmful effects of damage to the cells. This treatment is also recommended as a supplement to vata rogas and incase of anemia.

What does rejuvenation treatment involve?

This treatment protocol is defined by an expert Ayurveda doctor who assesses the patient’s condition and purpose of treatment before making specific recommendations about the types of procedures and the duration of treatment. The duration could be anything between 1 week and 1 month.

Before starting the procedure, the patients usually undergo detoxification treatment – the panchakarma treatment. Of course, your Ayurveda doctor will determine whether you require this pre-treatment procedure. The doctor also provides a session on the purpose and the overall approach of the treatment process since it often involves making lifestyle changes.

The usual approach to treatment involves making changes to lifestyle and diet, taking in herbal medications, and physical treatments.

Physical treatments

Head and face massages with specific herbal medicated oils, supported by swedana or steam therapy, helps improve circulation, build immunity, strengthen the bones and muscles, and improve the skin’s tone and complexion. Massages and shirodhara help with improving memory, delivering a calming effect. Other treatments include navara kizhi and pizhichil.

Intake of herbal medications

This is a critical aspect of rejuvenation since specific herbal formulations such as triphala, bibhitaki, shatavari, and ashwagandha focus on specific organ systems such as digestive, blood, or skin to deliver specific effects. Certain formulations also focus on reducing the body weight.

Food

A strict diet is a critical part of making the rejuvenation treatment a success. It’s not just what you eat but how much you eat equally matters. Hence your Ayruveda doctor will recommend specific diet based on your condition. This will include nourishing foods that build your body’s resistance. But the amount matters since excessive intake can have the opposite effect. Common diets include ghee, nuts, coconut oil, whole grains, milk, etc.

Physical exercise

Your therapist will teach you specific yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation that not just delivers physical but also enhances mental wellbeing.

Lifestyle change

Lifestyle changes commonly include posture, sleep-wake cycle training, daily routine management, standard routines, and choosing healthy alternatives in day-to-day life.

The core of the rejuvenation treatment involves a lifelong change in your lifestyle and restoring your body’s health. Hence this not only requires an expert Ayurveda doctor but also needs your complete cooperation. After all, only your determination can help you make a strong and lasting change.

Muscular dystrophy – Ayurveda-based management of this set of genetic disorders

Mamsavatakshaya is Ayurveda’s terminology of muscular dystrophy. This is a set of many genetic disorders or beeja roga that results in increasingly weakening muscles and damaging the muscular cells, affecting a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities with ease. It also equally affects the heart and endocrine system, leading to early death. As an Ayurveda doctor practicing in Chennai for many decades, I have been researching about this condition, given its progressively crippling nature and the fact that there’s no cure for this condition as yet. So let’s find out a little more about this inherited condition.

Mamsavatakshaya – wasting away of muscles

The primary characteristic of this set of genetic disorders is gradually increasing weakness of the voluntary muscles (e.g., muscles of the arms and legs and other controllable muscles of the body).

It is an inherited condition where muscle strength is progressively lost, along with other associated effects on the heart, other organs, and involuntary muscles. Interestingly some of these conditions are common in men, with women playing the role of carriers.

A particular type of muscular dystrophy affects children, especially boys, right from the age of 2 or 3 years and is quite severe. This condition often leads to early death.

Cause and symptoms of muscular dystrophy – as per Ayurveda

Ayurveda associates this group of conditions to two causes – vata imbalance and improper functioning of the muscle-related agni.

This results in the muscles losing their ability to prevent their uncontrollable wear and tear. This results in the muscles getting wasted away and they lose their ability to function normally. As a result the muscle cells start dying.

The symptoms and the pattern of deterioration vary from person to person. In some people, muscular functioning first affects the limbs, reducing the person’s capability to move their legs and hands independently. In others breathing easily might become a challenge. However, the common pattern of declining muscular function and worsening symptoms is common.

It also affects the other related systems, especially heart, nervous system, digestive system, and endocrine system. It also affects the skin and eyes. Even simple movements such as sitting down or standing up can become a painful activity, eventually leading to early death.

Treatment of muscular dystrophy

As of today, science and Ayurveda have not yet found any cure for this condition. However, Ayurveda uses an effective combination of treatment protocols to control the condition and ensure that patients are able to improve their quality of life. The logic used by Ayurveda treatment is to focus on three aspects:

Provide complete nutrition to all the muscles across the body to restore their agni. This helps in maintaining a reasonably appreciable ability of movement and building muscle strength
Protecting the muscles through intake of herbal formulations, delaying their wasting away.
Physical treatments that improve blood flow across the body and a lifestyle that beats the effects of the condition.

Specific treatments include detoxification with panchakarma treatment, which remove all toxic amas from the body (from the digestive system to the skin), steam treatments that correct the vata imbalance and improve the body’s flexibility, abhyanaga or oil massage that relax the muscles and improve the nourishment that reach the muscle cells, and a wide range of other treatments including dhara, nasya, basti, pizhichil, and rasayana treatments. Oral herbal formulations support these physical Ayurveda treatment modalities. Formulations such as ashwagandha, amla, guggul, and other herbal medications promote muscular strength. A healthy mix of physical exercises – from yoga and pranayama to meditation – under the guidance of an expert also brings in a lot of improvement.

The most important point to note is that you must take the guidance of an expert Ayurveda doctor first. The doctor can help you with a clear diagnosis and treatment protocol before you blindly jump into hearsay solutions.

Connect with me at http://www.miayurveda.org/ for a comprehensive treatment that integrates the best of Ayurvedic healing and modern diagnostics and knowledge to deliver complete cure and enhance well-being.

Ayurveda Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis – Make No Compromise on Your Quality of Life in the Presence of Cervical Spondylosis

One of the most common spine-related disorders that can affect your day-to-day life is cervical spondylosis. This is a condition I see quite commonly in my Ayurveda clinic at Chennai. Sadly most patients come to me only after the condition exacerbates and when they are in intense pain. One of the main reasons for this painful condition is a complete lack of awareness of this condition. What causes cervical spondylosis? Is there an easier solution? Can you gain back your regular lifestyle after being affected by this condition? Let’s find out, shall we?

What is cervical spondylosis?

Cervical spondylosis involved complete yet gradual degeneration of the neck vertebrae (cervical vertebrae) and the cushioning cartilage between the vertebral bones. There are many causes of cervical spondylosis, including aging, overexertion, wear and tear, and poor lifestyle. In Ayurveda this condition is called Greeva Sandhigatvata. This condition is commonly seen in people older than 40 years, but of late younger people are also getting afflicted with this condition.

Common causes of cervical spondylosis

Ayurveda categorizes this condition as a vata roga, which leads to tissue degeneration in the neck as a result of excessive drying of the cushioning agent around the neck bones. The bones of the neck portion of the back bone are packed closely one above the other with a cushiony cartilage layer in between. It’s the cartilage that makes sure that the bones do not brush against each other painfully. In addition, sensitive nerves from the brain pass through these neck bones. So when the cartilage loses its elasticity the bones irritate the nerves when they touch the nerves.

Of course, age-related wear and tear, as well as previous instances of injury to the neck, is a major cause of cervical spondylosis, but there are other causes. Poor food habits in terms of eating excessive gas-forming edible items, eating excessive food after an excessive gap, eating a lot of fried food, poor water intake, and consuming excessive dry and cold food is a primary contributor. Poor posture, excessive body strain, poor sleep schedules, and sedentary lifestyle are dangerous contributors to this condition.

Symptoms of cervical spondylosis

One of the main symptoms is radiating pain that is initially bearable but quickly escalates in severity. This pain often radiates to the shoulders and upper arms. This is accompanied by a tingling sensation and numbness in the arms and sensory loss. There are also significant instances of vertigo and headache. The patient experiences extreme difficulty while trying the move the neck. Since this condition is increasingly debilitating, every symptom continues to worsen till it affects the patient’s ability to carry on the routine tasks of day-to-day life.

Treatment of cervical spondylosis

The treatment of this condition first requires a detailed assessment by an experienced Ayurveda doctor. The doctor will confirm that your condition is indeed cervical spondylosis and will determine the severity of your condition. The treatment protocol and recommendations depend on the stage of your condition. One of the main focus of treatment is to pacify Vata roga by detoxifying the body’s ama and correcting the digestive tract. Another critical treatment is to restore the nourishment of the cartilage cushion and pain relief. Rejuvenation treatments also help the body to recuperate faster.

Common treatment approaches

Snehana and swedana: Steam therapy or swedana is extremely effective in managing the pain, headache, stiffness, and other symptoms of the condition. Snehana or oleation helps overcome the dryness from vata roga and in improving joint flexibility.

Basti on the neck involves placing a well-like poultice at the back of the neck and pouring warm medicated oil into it. The heat from the oil will expand the space between the neck bones, which will prevent them from causing pain, while the medicated oil helps to nourish and rejuvenate the cushion.

Navarakizhi also helps with nourishing the cushioning agent while the heat from the kizhi is a great healer of pain. Pizhichil or complete oil massage with excessive medicated oil also plays a critical role in relieving inflammation and pain and in making the neck joints more flexible. However, all these procedures require multiple sittings.

Panchakarma treatment is critical for detoxification and helps revive the vata balance. However, this treatment can be performed only when your Ayurveda doctor is confident that your body is strong enough to take up this treatment.

Internal herbal formulations including ksheerabala are helpful in rejuvenating the body. But correcting your diet and lifestyle is critical to correct your condition. Avoid exposure to anything cold – cold bath, cold weather, cold food, etc. Maintain correct postures while at work or even while relaxing. Avoid stress and excessive strain on your neck and stay away from an excessively sedentary lifestyle. Do not consume food that exacerbates the condition, such as gas-forming food, fried stuff, sour curd, cold stuff, etc.