Ayurvedic Program in India: My Therapies

Unlike modern medicine, which often just suppresses the symptoms of a disease, Ayurvedic therapies work at a deeper level and treat the problem at the source. Apart from diet, herbal remedies, exercise, and certain lifestyle adjustments, a wholistic Ayurvedic treatment also incorporates therapy or treatment to help balance the three principal energies or doshas of the body: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. To achieve this, Ayurvedic practitioners rely on blood purification and massage through herbs, medicinal oils, and products primarily obtained from plants.

Dr Purnima Siddhanta, the integrated medicine expert at the Roundglass Wellbeing Center in Mohali, administered Panchakarma therapy on me as part of a wellbeing program. She used a combination of healing massages, meditation, and positive dietary changes to stimulate a natural detox. She said I was already eating well and exercising or practicing yoga, all necessary for an optimal dosha balance. These therapies would facilitate lymphatic drainage and aid the digestive system in directing nourishment to the proper strotas (channels), helping flush out toxins, improve overall blood circulation, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance my overall wellbeing.

Here are the treatments I underwent and their benefits:

Abhyangam: This therapy was done to improve blood circulation, reduce stress in my body, muscles, and mind, and help me relax. It helps balance the tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).

Nasyam (panchkarma): This was done to improve my synus health, reduce nasal mucosal inflammation, revitalise the nerves and brain, and improve sensory strength.

Nabhivasti: In this therapy, oil was pooled in my naval pit with the aim of improving underlying organ stress, improve circulation in the intestines, and reduce bodily inflammation.

Kativasti: This was done to improve my lumbosacral stiffness and reduce inflammation of the underlying organs.

Padabhyangam: This therapy helped stimulate vital points on the feet with the aim of improving lower limb blood circulation, reducing stress, and nourishing the marmas of the feet.

Chakra balancing with Tibetan singing bowls: The treatment was rounded up with a chakra balancing session to improve the parasympathetic nervous system. Dr Purnima induced a state of deep relaxation in me through sound therapy and balanced the energies of the seven chakras. She said this energy healing session would heal and repair the body and align my energy body to my physical body.

Combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, Ayurvedic therapies enable the body to heal itself by ensuring all three doshas are at their optimum levels. The wholistic treatment helped reduce my symptoms and started the healing process aimed at restoring harmony and balance in my mind and body.