BAPS Yogiji Maharaj hospital: In addition to the modern line of treatment, the hospital also proudly hosts a ‘Nirmaya’ center that renders traditional and alternative therapies such as Ayurveda, Panchkarma, Homoeopathy, Naturopathy, Acupressure and Acupuncture.
The hospital is run with an aim to serve the common man by ensuring his health and wellness, using the latest technologies and state-of-art equipment and infrastructure, with a team of dedicated, professional team, and a rejuvenating ambience, all at a reasonable cost.
The Ayurveda Wing at BAPS Yogiji Maharaj Hospital
BAPS Yogiji Maharaj Hospital has instituted an Ayurvedic wing in collaboration with The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Ltd. Major Ayurvedic treatments are conducted on a daily basis after a complete check up by expert Ayurvedic physicians. All Classical Ayurvedic treatments are done under the guidance of experienced physicians and well-trained therapists. Facilities are available for a variety of therapies like Panchakarma, apart from preparatory and post procedural management for patients.
This centre renders full-fledged Ayurveda services with outpatient and inpatient facilities.
The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Limited is the flagship company of the AVP Group. Since its incorporation in 1943, AVP has grown in reputation as one of the pioneers in the field of Ayurveda.
Management of the company is headed by Dr. P R Krishnakumar, who was instrumental in bringing Ayurveda to the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO). He has been conferred the prestigious Padmashri Award in 2009 by the Govt. of India and the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Award in 2016, in recognition of his tireless efforts towards promotion of Ayurveda and service to society.
The Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam & Research Institute (AVC)- the main treatment facility of AVP, located in the heart of Coimbatore city in Tamil Nadu, India, has been in service since 1957. It is one of the first Ayurvedic hospitals to be ISO 9001:2008 certified for compliance with international quality standards. AVC’s relentless efforts to propagate Ayurveda, has gained the attention of both the medical fraternity and media from the West. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in its investigative feature on Ayurveda has featured AVC positively. Likewise, the Washington Post has acclaimed AVC as the ‘Mayo Clinic of Ayurveda’. AVC had partnered with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for research on efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis. In recognition of this pioneering work, AVC has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA for the first-ever clinical trial to scientfically evaluate Ayurveda outside the USA. The Department of AYUSH, Govt. of India had awarded AVC “Centre of Excellence” in Clinical Rheumatology in the year 2009. AVP has also initiated a comprehensive clinical documentation program to produce preliminary data on safety and efficacy of Ayurveda treatments.
ABOUT AYURVEDA
The grand treatise, which contains the details of healthy and long age (ayu) and which defines what is good (hita) and what is bad (ahita) for the four different types of ayus (namely, hitayu, ahitayu, sukhayu and dukhayu, concerning different conditions of diseased or healthy life ) is Ayurveda.
History of ayurveda
Thousands of years before there was a conference in himalayas, to discuss the solution for the ill health. It was decided to bring Ayurveda from heavens, and thus Rishi Bharadwaja was sent to learn the same from Lord Indra for the benefit of all the living creatures. Thus, Ayurveda was practiced to treat elephants, horses, domestic animals, plants, trees and humans. Over the period of centuries, Ayurveda sustained despite various invasions and cultural attacks. Ayurveda was popular and probably only mode of treatment in Indian subcontinent in the past. Later, various modes of treatments were formed and followed by humanity. Ayurveda as the word suggests, is the science of life, and not merely a medical system. It believes in preserving health of the healthy and treating the diseased. With this concept Ayurveda is getting acceptance worldwide. With more and more people opting the Ayurveda way of life, not only to treat various diseases but also to remain healthy.
Ayurveda believes there is nothing in this world which is not a medicine. This wide scope of understanding gives a dynamic and holistic treatment options. Diseases happens due to various factors, internal as well as external leading to the disequilibrium of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Treatment is to bring back the balance and restore normalcy. The treatment mainly has three modalities: Aahara ( Food), Vihara ( Activities) and Aushadha (Treatment or medicine). Panchakarma is one of the mode of treatments, which help in wide range of diseases. These treatments could also be performed to maintain the normalcy of the body, Preventive Panchakarma.
Ayurveda, with various suggestions and guidelines, as a whole treats and maintains the normalcy of Mind , Body and Soul.
IMPORTANCE OF AYURVEDA
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Aim of Ayurveda is to promote health, increase immunity & resistance and to cure disease.
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The two main aims of Ayurveda are maintenance of the internal equilibrium and its repair in case of any imbalance and derangement.
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Ideas about the relationships among people, their health, and the universe form the basis for how Ayurvedic practitioners think about problems that affect health.
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Ayurveda had recognized the importance of the environment in the total health.
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Ayurveda gives equal importance to mental health of an individual.
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Ayurveda deals with medical subjects such as genetics, gynecology, surgery, physiology, biology, diet, and allied subjects like animal biology, botany, cultivation, pharmacognosy, chemistry, and cosmology.
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Ayurveda helps each individual realign their living patterns to bring about health and peace and to remember that their true nature is spirit.
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Ayurveda gives equal importance to both preventive and curative aspects.
TREATMENTS
Abhyangam
Abhyangam is application of oil on head and body followed, by gentle massage of body by a trained therapist. The patient will be on the special table and will take seven positions like sitting, lying on back and side etc. during the treatment. Abhyanga is done as a single treatment and as a preparation for or along with major treatments. The treatment lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by a bath using green gram powder, in order to remove the oil. A qualfied physician decides the suitability of the patient for this treatment and the oils suitable for him/her. This treatment may require one or more sittings, as prescribed by the physician on assesment of the patient.
Pichu
Pichu is also an external oil application, that’s superior in potency compared to Abhyangam. Pichu is performed only on the affected parts, like head, low back etc. It is performed as a major treatment. A simplfied version is performed along with other oil treatments like Abhyangam. A dry cotton cloth is taken. It is then folded to match the size of the affected area. The thickness of this folded cloth should preferably be similar to that of the palm. A hole is then made in the center of the folded cloth and oil is poured periodically. Duration of the treatment varies according to the condition. This treatment may require one or more sittings, as prescribed by the physician on assesment of the patient.
Pizhichil
Pizhichil (squeezing) is a process where pieces of cotton cloth dipped in warm medicated oil are squeezed onto the patient’s body. The patient is first smeared with appropriate medicated oils on the body and head. Then two therapeutic assistants on either side of the specially designed wooden table dip the clear cotton cloth in warm medicated oil and squeeze it onto the patient’s body. Like Abhyangam, Pizhichil is also done with patient in seven positions. This process is followed by a bath using a green gram wrap and warm water for the body and lukewarm water for the head.
Thakradhara
Thakradhara involves pouring of medicated buttermilk on the forehead. The treatment begins with oil application on head and body. Then a cloth is tied around the patient’s forehead to prevent oil from dripping into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on the treatment table on his/her back. The tip of the wick hanging from the Dhara pot is adjusted to a height of 4 fingers above the forehead. The medicated oil is then midly heated and poured into the Dhara pot. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and allowed to fall on patient’s forehead. This is continued for the specfic duration. Oil massage is given to the patient along with Dhara.
Sirodhara/Shirodhara
In this form of treatment medicated fluids- oils, milk or buttermilk are poured onto the patient’s forehead in a special way. The most common method is used with medicated nd body. Then a cloth is tied around the patient’s forehead to prevent oil oils. The treatment begins with the application of oil on the head a from dripping into the eyes. The patient is then made to lie on the treatment table on his/her back. The tip of the wick hanging from the Dhara pot is adjusted to a height of 4fingers above the forehead. The medicated oil is then midly heated and poured into the Dhara pot. The flow is adjusted to make it straight and allowed to fall on patient’s forehead. This is continued for the specfic duration. Oil massage is given to the patient along with Dhara.
Sirolepa
Sirolepa is the application of herbal paste on the patient’s head. The most commonly used herb is pericarp of the fruits of Indian gooseberry cooked in buttermilk. The patient must sit on a stool facing east after applying oil on the head and body. A piece of cloth is tied around the forehead just above the ears. Then the medicinal paste is applied on the head to a thickness of one fnger. A gap is made at the center of the head by removing medicinal paste. A cone made out of Banana leaf is then kept over the head. A mild massage is performed on the body and neck during the treatment.
Kizhi
Kizhi is bundle in Malayalam. This treatment is performed to induce perspiration. Bundles are made out of herbal powder, leaves and a special variety of rice. Kizhi treatments begin with oil application. Patient is made to lie on a wooden table and given an oil application on the head and body. Then the Kizhi is heated on a pan and applied on the patient’s body by the therapeutic assistants standing on either side of the table. Usually eight or four or two Kizhis are prepared as per the requirement. While one half of the Kizhis is being heated, the other half is applied on the patient’s body as fomentation. The Kizhis are alternated at regular intervals. This continues until the Kizhi covers all parts of the body, except face and head.
Ilakkizhi (Patra Pinda Sweda)
In Elakizhi, fomentation involves herbal leaves forming the Kizhi.
Podi Kizhi ( Churna Pinda Sweda)
Fomentation is done using a Kizhi filled with herbal powder.
Navara Kizhi ( Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda)
Navara rice is boiled and cooked in the mixture of milk and a decoction of herbs. This is then packed in cloth and tied into bundle. The patient is made to lie on the table on his/her back and oil is applied on the head and body. The Navarakizhi is then heated in the same mixture and applied on the patient’s body, at a suitable temperature. The therapy is administered until the Kizhi becomes empty.
Avagaha Swedana
Avagaha Swedana involves fomentation in a tub filled with medicated decoctions etc. After anointing the body with medicated oils, the patient is asked to lie or sit in a tub filled with luke warm decoctions up to the neck level.
Snehapaana
Snehapaana means drinking the Sneha / unctuous material like ghee (clarified butter), sesame oil, animal fat or marrow etc. However, ghee (clarified butter) is the most commonly used material. This is the first step in the preparing a person for intensive cleansing of the system. It can lead to Vamana (induced vomiting) or Virechana (induced purgation). Snehapaana helps destabilizing the doshas (causative factors for diseases) that are pathologically accumulated. Swedana (induced perspiration) that follows, makes the destabilized doshas to flow to the intestines for elimination.
A prescribed dose of medicated ghee is administered in the morning on empty stomach followed by a cup of hot water. Food, in prescribed quality and quantity, is allowed only after manifestation of proper hunger. The dose of ghee is usually minimal on the first day and increased everyday based on the response to the previous dose. This treatment is administered for a maximum of seven days or until the appearance of physical and mental symptoms of the saturation of ghee in the body, whichever is earlier.
Swedana
Swedana is administered using a steam chamber. Oil os gently applied on the body and the patient is made to sit in the chamber where steam emanates from boiling a herbal decoction. The treatment is continued until the forehead and abdomen sweat well. Eyes must be protected and wrapped with a piece of cloth while doing sudation. Eyes, feet, palms, chest and testicles should not be heated very much. The patient must bathe only after when the sweat has completely dried
using slightly warm water. Food can be consumed after one hour. It must be warm, unctuous and light.
Virechanam
Virechanam (including purgation) is a method of sodhana/ purification treatment. The medicine should be taken on an empty stomach. This is usually done after proper snehapanam and 3 days of fomentation. The medicine may be in any form, either liquid or powder or oil or jam or decoction. The patient should drink hot water frequently after taking the medicine, until the
bowel movements begin. No other food shall be taken. The patient may rest lying on the left hand side. Bowel movements begin with evacuation of solid stools first. It changes to semi-liquid after a few times. More hot water may be administered if the bowel movements are not satisfactory.
Vasti
Vasti (administration of medicine through the rectum) is another sodhana/purification treatment. Herbal medicines like medicated oils/ decoctions/ medicated milk/ ghee are administered through rectum using an instrument called Vasthiyantra. Vasti is of three types Kashayavasti, Snehavasti and Uttaravasti.
Kashayavasti and Snehavasti are the most commonly practised forms of treatment. Uttaravasti is relatively rarer and is administered through the urethral or vaginal tract. A full course involves both Kashayavasti and Snehavasti. Kashayavasti is called a Sodhana - it purifies the body by expelling the impure doshas from the body. And Snehavasti is Brimhana
- it nourishes and lubricates the body. These two treatments are always used in combination, producing a balance of purification and nourishment in the body. In the usual procedure Snehavasti is administered before Kashayavasti.
Kashayavasti
The medicine for Kashayavasti is prepared by mixing honey, rock salt, oil, a herbal paste and decoction. First honey and rock salt are mixed in a vessel. Then oil is added and mixed well. This is followed by the paste and then the decoction. The homogenous mixture is filled in a leather sac that has been warmed by keeping in a hot water. The sac is then tied at the end of the vastiyantra (instrument of vasti). The patient should have consumed food the previous night, evacuated and done ablutions in the morning. The patient has to lie down on a wooden cot. His/her body must be massaged with oil and abdomen should be warmed up. The Patient should lie down on his/her left side, flexing the right leg and extending the left leg. The nozzle of the instrument and anus of the patient are lubricated first by applying oil. Then the nozzle is carefully introduced into the anus, keeping the patient relaxed and breathing out. The leather sac is then pressed firmly once and thus medicine is injected into the rectum. A little of the medicine is retained in the sac to prevent air entering the rectum. Then the patient is made to lie down on his/her back after completion of the vasti. His/her abdomen should be massaged gently. When there an urge to pass stools, the patient may go to the toilet and evacuate. If he/she gets clear bowel movements then the treatment may be considered successful. Afterwards he should take bath in warm water and have food.
Snehavasti
The patient should take light food before being given an oil massage and bath. Soon after he/she should be laid on a comfortable cot, neither too high nor too low, leaning on his leftside, folding his right thigh and extending the other. The enema nozzle is lubricated with oil and some oil is applied on the anus as well. The instrument is then filled with the medicated oil and introduced into the rectum in the following manner. It should be pressed without shaking the hands in the direction of the vertebral column, neither too fast nor too slow neither with great force nor very mildly, in just one attempt. After the administration, the person should lie facing upward. Then he/she should be massaged in the abdomen, hand and feet. He/she must lay extending the entire body with a pillow under the heels. Oil should then be smeared all over the body so that the sneha does not come out early. In normal cases, the enema liquid will be expelled after an hour or two. If the sneha is expelled at the right time, the patient should fast at night and may only have breakfast the following morning.
Nasyam
Nasyam is meant for cleaning the head region. In order to administer the nasyam, the patient is asked to lie down on his/her back on a wooden cot placed in a room devoid of breeze.
The head should be placed slightly lower and the legs in an elevated position.The body especially head, neck and chest should be massaged with oil and fomentation is given Nasyam is of three types:
Virechana Nasyam: This type of Nasyam treatment purifies by expelling Doshas from the head region. In this type of Nasyam strong medicines are used to expel out the Doshas instantaneously from the head region.
Brimhana Nasyam: This Nasyam treatment nourishes and strengthens the head region, senses and intellectual functions. It builds up the weaker parts and is indicated in Vata diseases.
AILMENTS TREATED: Specific ailments across different specialities for which we administer Ayurvedic treatments include:
Common Orthopaedic Disorders
Achilies Tendinitis, Calcaneal Spur, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Cervical Spondylitis, Frozen Shoulder, Herniated Disc, Lumbar Spondylitis, Osteo Arthritis, Plantar Fasciitis, Spinal Stenosis, Tennis Elbow
Cardio Vascular & Pulmonary Disorders
Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders, Chronic Cough, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, Rheumatic Heart Disease
Digestive Disorders
Amoebiasis, Anal fissure, Anorectal Fistula, Chron’s Disease, Dyspepsia, Gastritis, Fatty liver, Gall Stones, Hepatitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Jaundice, Liver Cirrhosis, Piles (Bleeding and non-bleeding), Ulcerative Colitis, Vomitting
Disorders Of Eye
Conjunctivitis, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma,
Disorders Of Ear, Nose & Throat
Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Polyp, Laryngitis, Sinusitis, Tinnitus, Tonsilitis
Endocrine Disorders
Diabetes, Thyroid Disorder, Hormonal disorders, Obesity
Gynaecological Disorders
Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding, Dysmenorrhoea, Female and Male Infertility, Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease, Uterine Fibroids, Leucorrhoea, Cervicitis, Post-menopausal Syndrome, Pre-menopausal Syndrome
Neurological Disorders
Bell’s Palsy, Epilepsy, Migraine, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke (Hemiplegia, Paraplegia, quadriplegia), Trigeminal Neuralgia
Rheumatology
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gouty Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Systeic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)
Skin Diseases
Acne Vulgaris, Corns, Eczema and Fungal Nail Infection, Pruritis, Lichen Planus, Psoariasis, Urticaria, Vitiligo
Urinary Tract Disorders
Prostatomegally, Nephrotic Syndrome, Urinary Calculi, Renal Colic, Urinary Incontinence, Urinary Tract Infection.
Spectrum of auto immune and degenerative disorders
For diseases like Cancer, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s Disease, Chronic Renal Failure, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoporosis.