Stay Young and Healthy Forever with Natural Healing - Ayurveda Expert Speaks

The term 'Ayurveda' conjures up images of relaxing massages and steamy baths with fresh scent of medicinal herbs wafting through the air to instill in us an exhilarating sense of wellbeing. Popping pills is easy for those on the go, but the principles and practice of ayurveda, an alternative medicine, guarantee rejuvenation of the whole system—body, mind and soul, to enhance a person's health and quality of life. Medindia spoke to Dr Sridevi Rajeev, Director and Chief Physician of AVN Arogya. AVN, formerly known as Arya Vaidya Nilayam was instituted in 1930 by late Aryavaidyan N Rama Varier, a well known disciple of the late Vaidya Ratnam P S Varier of Kottakkal. Dr Sridevi, along with her husband Dr Rajeev C Warrier, has been heading and managing ayurvedic clinics and treatment centers at Madurai and Mumbai. She is successfully running AVN Arogya Ayurvedic Hospital, a 100 bed state-of-the art facility at the temple city of Madurai, in Tamil Nadu, South India.

An expert in 'Ayurvedic Panchakarma', the traditional Ayurvedic therapeutic process which addresses the root cause of the problem and corrects the essential balance of the three primary life forces or 'Tridosha' in body, Dr. Sridevi specializes in Ayurvedic pediatrics and focuses on developmental neurological problems encountered in children like ADHD, Autism, Cerebral palsy etc. Backed by hands-on training in modern gynecology, Dr. Sridevi has combined 21 years of Ayurvedic practice with in-depth knowledge in nutrition and dietetics to devise comprehensive solutions for several health problems encountered during the most important phase of a women's life – pregnancy.

Q. As an alternative medicine, the healing efficacy of Ayurvedic therapy is well known around the world. But in a fast paced world many people find the treatment prolonged and cumbersome as against the quick route of popping pills. Can you tell us how people who choose Ayurveda stand to benefit by the treatment?

A. Ayurveda,an ancient science of life, has laid great stress on the importance of a constructive approach to healthcare. It is very important to think ahead and focus on staying healthy rather than undergo the suffering from various ailments. Also, shortcuts to healthcare only work in the short term. It is very important to have a holistic approach especially in chronic problems like joint pains due to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Cervical spondylosis, Lumbar spondylosis etc, which are very common today, where, the need of the hour is a preventive and holistic approach to promote healing. So, in the long run, preventive healthcare that implies an all-inclusive approach including diet, lifestyle pattern, exercise regime, a positive outlook as well as timely and periodic detoxification and rejuvenation, results in positive health. Ayurveda has elaborated several methods for detoxification and rejuvenation and these have been adapted to suit the needs of the current generation, thus enabling anyone today to reap the benefits of this great science.

Q. Tell us about AVN Arogya, your health facility, highlighting some of the health issues in people you've treated, and therapies and cures that happened at the center?

A. The uniqueness of the approach to healthcare at AVN is the adaptation of the time-tested knowledge of health to contemporary needs. Situated away from the hustle and bustle and yet close enough to Madurai in South India, amidst acres of lush greenery, AVN Arogya hospital provides the ideal setting for a complete healing experience. The hospital combines a health orientation with a restful living experience to ensure that a hospital stay need not always be a cause for anxiety and apprehension.

Advertisement

At the Outpatient and In-patient level, we handle a variety of ailments:

• Degenerative Bone & muscle problems like Osteo arthritis, Cervical spondylosis, Lumbar spondylosis, Sciatica

Advertisement

• Neurological problems like Stroke, Facial paralysis, Migraine, Chronic headache, Diabetic neuropathy

• Auto-immune diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythmatosis, Multiple sclerosis, Ankylosing spondylosis, Rheumatoid arthritis

• Respiratory problems like Recurrent infections, Sinusitis, Tonsillitis, Bronchial asthma, Bronchitis

• Digestive problems like indigestion, hyperacidity, constipation, liver disorders, Peptic ulcer, Chronic amoebiasis, Piles, Fissures

• Psychological problems like stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression, sleeplessness

• Psychosomatic problems like Irritable bowel syndrome, Ulcerative colitis, Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia, to name a few.

Q. Many patients from abroad are keen to experiment with Ayurvedic therapies. In your experience, is it easy to explain to them how this medicine works? How often do they have to visit your center or can they stay at your center till the treatment is over? Give us some details.

A. Patients from abroad are very keen and open to alternate systems of medicine and it is quite easy to explain to them about the therapies and procedures as well as how Ayurveda functions. Then, they are ready to submit themselves to the treatments planned and very often strictly adhere to the instructions given. For chronic ailments that need therapeutic procedures, we advise an in-patient session which may have to be repeated at a frequency of a year or so, followed by intake of medications for specific periods of time. Some patients do well with a course of therapy followed by medications and exercises. For other cases, they may just need to follow some medications and make some changes in their diet and lifestyle patterns that will help them recover almost fully.

Q. Do you use modern diagnostic tools such as X Rays and Scans to diagnose ailments? And how do people who visit you from afar get their refill of medicines?

A. We have an integrated approach to healthcare and make use of modern diagnostic tools such as X Rays and Scans, wherever necessary, to diagnose ailments. We also have specialists in the fields of Neurology, Developmental Neurology and other fields of medicine visiting us as consultants and we also offer panel consultations to provide maximum benefit to the patients.

Q. Do you offer some health packages, health massages and beauty treatments that people would like to take up during a vacation to enhance their health and looks and get back to their work with renewed vigor and freshness?

A.The hectic pace of life today coupled with irregular eating & sleeping habits and the rising levels of pollution make one prone to many health complications. Taking this into account, we also offer a wide range of comprehensive preventive healthcare programs that include Detox programs, skin and beauty care packages, relaxation and rejuvenation packages

Wellness programs involving Ayurvedic therapies, Yoga, meditation, a healthy diet and a serene and soothing atmosphere can help you to bounce back to pulsating health.

One could ideally have a detailed consultation with our physicians who design individually tailor-made programs for their special needs or choose from any of our pre-defined wellness packages.

Typically, the ayurvedic system of medicine aims to rid the body of toxins, promote good health, prevent diseases and provide the key to longevity. Methods of treatment are based on simple and natural principles and products that work best if a proper diet and lifestyle is maintained along with medicine.

Source-Medindia