Ayurvedic medicine also called ayurveda is an ancient form of medicine traditionally practiced in India. Ayurveda has been practiced for over 5,000 years and its main focus is creating balance. The balance is achieved thorough lifestyle changes that include proper diet, exercise and detoxification. The approach treats physical, mental and spiritual realms.
Ayurvedic medicine is classified as alternative medicine in the United States and it has some similarities to traditional Chinese medicine in its theories. The fundamental similarity is that both forms of medicine are systems rather than splinter approaches. The system treats the entire individual rather than a specific illness.
Methods include preventative measures as well as treating health problems and conditions. The process of using this form of Indian medicine begins with assessment of your particular health needs.
Ayurvedic Medicine Assessment
Assessment in ayurvedic medicine is of great importance and you can expect to spend roughly an hour with a practitioner during the initial visit. Topics to consider include lifestyle, eating habits, exercise routines and your health condition.
The practitioner follows questioning with assessment of pulse points. There are twelve pulse points under scrutiny during an examination. In addition, the practitioner examines:
• Tongue
• Nails
• Lips
• Eyes
After assessing the body parts, the practitioner looks at the patient’s balance of metabolic types, known as the dosha.
Doshas
Doshas must be in balance to ensure optimal health. Factors that may interfere with this balance include poor habits and unhealthy diet. There are three doshas (metabolic types):
• Pitta
• Vata
• Kapha
There are five elements that are relevant to doshas.
• Air
• Water
• Fire
• Earth
• Space
Everything that exists is believed to be comprised of these five elements, one of which is predominant. The elements combine with the individual’s metabolic type to create the following combinations.
Pitta dosha is fire and water, focusing on the digestive system and hormonal balance. People who have pitta doshas are prone to have oily skin, heart disease, stomach problems, heartburn and arthritis.
Vata dosha is space and air, focusing on breathing and circulation. Those who have vata metabolisms may experience dry skin, anxiety and constipation.
Kapha dosha is earth and water, focusing on the immune system and growth. People with kapha metabolisms may have problems with obesity, congestion, gallbladder problems, and diabetes.
Prana
Prana is the body’s vital energy that flows throughout its systems. If the flow of energy is disrupted, waste can build up in the body, causing further problems with energy flow. The disruption can also lead to trouble with digestion as well.
The process progresses with determining the patient’s prakuti. This is the individuals nature or constitution. The person’s essential nature is used in combination with the assessment to create a comprehensive treatment plan that includes:
• Diet
• Herbal remedies and supplements
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Exercise
• Massage therapy
The treatment plan addresses problems that may stem out of imbalance within the dosha as evidenced by the symptoms the individual experiences. Using the person’s prakuti helps to create a plan of action that caters to the individual’s nature.
Related Posts
As we get closer to the nature, we start to eat healthy, our minds think constructive and we start using herbal therapies. This represents another step forward to the so-called...
Ayurveda is a traditional medicinal science that makes use of natural herbs for prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders. The origin of ayurveda can be traced back to...
Diabetes is a common health issue amoungst millions of people around the world. More diabete victims are resorting to alternative and complementary medicine in conjuction with...
What is anthroposophical medicine? The form of holistic medicine looks at the laws of living organisms in order to develop healing treatments and preventative treatments. The Physician's...
Various types of alternative medicine are designed to promote health, heal the body, and improve overall well being. There are five basic categories in which complementary medicine...
Leave a Reply
