All posts by AyurvedaKenya

Testimony on arthritis

24thJuly, 2017

My name is Dimple Vagani, a 36 year old wife and a mother to a School going child. I had been suffering from Arthritis for the past 10 years. Usually people start suffering from arthritis at a later age but because of inheriting from both of my parents’ side; I became a victim from the young age of 26. Doctors gave me pain killers and later steroids. These would give me relief from pain but the disease kept on progressing. I started developing Ulcers due to the constant use of the pain killers and last year, the ulcers ruptured. I had to go through Laparoscopy and the Doctors asked me to stop taking medicines which means the relief from the joint pains also stopped.

My condition became unbearable. My life changed completely. I would not want to move from the chair or do anything, not even play with my child and bond with him. The pain in my joints had taken over my life. My knees had swollen to an extent that it was difficult for me to walk. My fingers had started losing shape and my night mare was the life of a cripple. I became desperate and could not imagine living like a handicapped, physically as well as emotionally. I wanted to be normal again, walk, dance and walk gracefully on heeled sandals, at least when I was attending some functions. I wanted to be happy again.

I started checking on the internet for some alternatives, some answers to cure my arthritis and I stumbled upon the web site of ayurvedakenya. I called them to check if they could really treat my arthritis as promised on their site. They assured me of positive results and on 7th February, 2017, I went for a Consultation. I had taken all my medical records with me. I was thoroughly checked and advised to go through an Ayurveda Panchkarma therapy for 11 days. It is called VIRECHNA. It is some sort of Ayurveda detox that removes the toxins from the body, repairs and rejuvenates the Cells.

I wanted to be well again and agreed to follow the Ayurveda Doctor’s advice. Our Kenyan Insurance companies do not recognize Ayurveda treatments. I was told AETNA and some International companies do support Ayurveda treatment. Indian Government had made it compulsory for the Insurance Companies to recognize alternative medicine .But for me the single most important thing was to be my normal self again. What use is that Insurance that only pays to make me sicker! My family supported me fully for this decision as well as throughout the painful and hard times of my struggle with arthritis.

 

I went through the 11 days Virechna Panchkarma therapy first that ended on 19th February, 2017. This was to detox my body and help my ruptured ulcers heal.

After two Weeks, I went through Vasti for eight days, another Panchkarma Therapy. It is a specific ayurvedic herbal enema to balance my Vata Dosha and to remove Ama Vata (Rheumatoid Arithritis) from my body.

After 5 months, I can say, I am lot better. I am an active young lady like anyone else of my age. I am able to walk swiftly, even dance and wear 2-3” heals. Once again, I am able to enjoy life. There is some pain during cold weather but that is nothing compared to what it used to be 5 months ago. I do take some oral Ayurveda medicines. I have also made changes to my diet. I was given a chart on what to eat and what not to. I came to know that according to Ayurveda, each individual is born with a specific type of constitution and we should eat what is compatible with our body type. I am becoming more aware of my body’s responses.

I feel so lucky to have found Ayurvedakenya which has given my life back to me. I believe my destiny had opened the ayurvedakenya site in February 2017, so that I could be well again.

Dipsvagani.

Dimple Vagani

Nairobi, Kenya

Stop stress from driving you crazy…

 

Have you ever felt so stressed out and overwhelmed that you can’t think straight?

We now know that prolonged stress or trauma is associated with decreased volume in areas of the human brain responsible for regulating thoughts and feelings, enhancing self-control, and creating new memories.

A new research study, published in an issue of Nature Medicine, is a first step in uncovering the genetic mechanism underlying these brain changes.
Major Life Stress Damages the Prefrontal Cortex
In addition to hippocampal shrinkage, major life stress may shrink brain neurons in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), the brain area responsible for problem-solving, adaptation to challenge, emotional processing and regulation, impulse control, and regulation of glucose and insulin metabolism.
In a study of 100 healthy participants conducted by Dr Rajita Sinha and colleagues at Yale University, and published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, those with more adverse life events had greater shrinkage of grey matter in the PFC, compared to their less-stressed peers. Recent major life events, such as a job loss, make people less emotionally aware while life traumas, such as sexual abuse, seem to go further, in damaging mood centers that regulate pleasure and reward, increasing vulnerability to addiction and decreasing the brain’s ability to bounce back.
Depressed brains appeared to have more limited and fragmented information processing abilities.
Prolonged exposure to stress can shrink the brain, both via the damaging effects of cortisol on brain neurons, and by disrupting expression of genes that facilitate neuronal connections.
This raises the question of whether there is anything we can do to prevent such damage!
Since we can’t always control how much we are exposed to financial, relationship, or illness stress, are there preventive activities we can do to maintain cognitive resilience so we can continue to deal effectively with the stressors?
We can lessen and reverse the damage by these methods, and make our brains more resilient to stress.
 Stay active and take regular exercise.

 Take long walk, 30-60 minutes a day.

 Do Yoga and Pranayam. Some of the Yoga postures and Pranayam exercises help in keeping your Dosha balanced.

 Meditate and Pray.

 Ayurveda Panchkarma therapies reduce stress and bring your body back to balance.

 Ayurvedic 7 days Marma massage(Abhyanga) and Shirodhara for 7 days are best in fighting off stress .These are natural and have no side effects and definitely not addictive.

 Detox your body with Ayurvedic detox Panchakarma therapies on a regular basis. Once a year detox keeps you on a positive frame of mind.

 Learn to recognize your body’s signals. If you start feeling a little foggy, unable to have a deep sleep, getting tired for no particular reason, it is time to go for Panchakarma .

www.ayurvedakenya.com; Facebook:ayurvedakenya.; Ph:+254 20 2531077

Accommodation for Ayurvedakenya clients

An exciting news for Ayurvedakenya out of Nairobi clients

Our clients travelling from Meru, Bungoma, Mombasa, Kisumu ,Nakuru , Nyeri and from countries like, UK ,USA, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania ,Ethiopia , Rwanda, Cameroon, Nigeria etc. had been facing the challenge of finding a suitable accommodation in Nairobi which is conveniently located, inexpensive and decent .
We have made a partnership with Progressive Park Hotel that is perfect in every way. It is centrally located in Westlands, opposite UKAY Center. UBER charges only Kes.300 one way, to our Clinic ( $3).
The hotel provides all the amenities at a very special, reasonable cost for our clients. It has Hotel rooms as well as Studio apartments with cooking facility. For more information on the Hotel, log on to http://www.progressiveparkhotel.co.ke/

For the specially discounted rates for ayurvedakenya clients,pse.inform us so that we can endorse your booking.
Write to us on arogyamandir09@gmail.com or call us at + 254 20 2531077, + 254 773147128

Ayurvedakenya
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Therapeutic Massage

Ayurvedic scriptures, written more than 5000 years ago, recommend rubbing and oiling the body to keep it healthy and promote healing. In ancient Greece, the practice of rubbing up the limbs or ‘anatripsis’ was highly recommended for treating fatigue, sports or war injury and illness. Hippocrates, the so-called ‘father of medicine’ suggested an oil massage every day.

Massage therapy is a scientific technique that takes into account the muscle locations, stress points and other anatomical considerations. It is a systematized manipulation of soft tissues for normalizing them.

When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acids can accumulate in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness and even muscle spasm. Massage improves circulation that increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to body tissues. The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after the therapeutic massage. The stimulation of nerve receptors causes the blood vessels (by reflex action) to dilate which also facilitates blood flow. This can assist the elimination of waste products, speed healing after injury, and enhance recovery from disease.

There is a proven increase in the excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus and sodium chloride, after the massage. Massage has a tremendous impact on the internal organs. Massage affects by directly/ indirectly stimulating the nerves, that supply internal organs. Blood vessels of these internal organs dilate and allow greater blood supply to them.

Therapeutic massage can be used to promote well- being and enhance self- esteem, while boosting the circulatory system and immune system to benefit, blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion and skin tone.

There are four stages of the healing process through Therapeutic massage.

Relief: The first few treatment sessions relieve pain; reduce tension and sedate stressed nerves. They do not necessarily solve the problems, but ease the symptoms so that the individual starts feeling better.

Correction: When the pain has been relieved the therapist works on the underlying cause to prevent the problem’s return. Correctional work involves returning muscles, decongesting a sluggish lymph system or freeing knotted or scarred fibers.

Strengthening: This is important in a badly damaged area. Weakness at injury site can mean recurring problems. Massage therapy strengthens the surrounding tissues enabling them to provide adequate support when the injury has healed.

Maintenance: This is the final stage of healing and the first step in preventive care. Occasional massaging treatments keep the problems at bay and prevent any minor health problem to become a major health issue later.

For an Ayurvedic therapeutic massage, the selection of oils and the quantity applied plays a very important role. Ayurveda recommends Oils according to the Prakruti (constitution) of each individual otherwise; the oil used can do more harm than good.

Ayurveda Marma massage:

The Marmas (vital points) are a very important part of Ayurvedic anatomy and surgery. A Marma point is defined as an anatomical site where flesh, veins, arteries, tendons, bones and joints meet up. There are 107 Marma points throughout the body. Each point has its own intelligence and consciousness, which co-ordinate with the mind and body. This ancient form of treatment involves using the fingers to stimulate the Marma points thereby promoting physical and mental rehabilitation. As with Acupuncture, these points correspond to internal organs and systems of the body which react to manual stimulation.

Major marma points correspond to the seven chakras, or energy centers of the body, while minor points radiate out along the torso and limbs. The points cover both the front and back body, including 22 on the lower extremities, 22 on the arms, 12 on the chest and stomach, 14 on the back, and 37 on the head and neck. (The mind is considered the 108th marma.)

The human body, like a machine needs servicing in order to function normally. The Ayurveda healthcare system uses Marma massage as a routine part of their preventative medicine. A professional therapist isolates the Marma points and cleans them out by increasing the blood flow to the affected part of the neuro-muscular junction. They also aim to tone the surrounding muscles.

Massaging the marma points gives benefits to the area of their locations and improves the function of the connecting organs. The marma massage itself is approximately 60 to 90 minutes of duration followed by steam bath or warm shower.

When should one seek the Clinical Massage Therapy?

When one is suffering from any one or more of the following conditions;

  • Any chronic muscle or joint pain.
  • A known condition of referred pain.
  • Any recurring symptoms that seem to accompany or are precipitated by muscle tightness.
  • Tight muscles that are limiting the movement of a joint.
  • Chronically fatigued muscles.
  • Low energy level especially when accompanied by muscle aches and pains.
  • A recent muscle injury that generates pain or dysfunction in areas not seemingly involved in the injury.
  • Any visceral dysfunction that tests negative for conventional causes.
  • Muscle pain that recurs in an area with no apparent new cause.
  • A tendency for pain to spread to other muscles whenever a simple or strain or injury occurs.
  • Therapeutic massage can help with a wide range of medical conditions including allergies.
  • Arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis).
  • Asthma and bronchitis.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Chronic and acute pain.
  • Circulatory problems.
  • Digestive disorders, including spastic colon, constipation and diarrhea. Gastrointestinal disorders (including colic and constipation).
  • Immune function disorders.
  • Myofascial pain ( a condition of the tissue connecting the muscles).
  • Premature infants.
  • Reduced range of motion.
  • Sports injuries (including pulled or strained muscles and strained ligaments).
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

AYURVEDA FOR PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterized by patches of abnormal skin. These skin patches are typically red, itchy, and scaly. They may vary in severity from small and localized to complete body coverage. It is non-infectious and non-contagious. It is often seen in people between 15 to 40 yrs of age.

Symptoms of Psoriasis

 Some of the common symptoms of psoriasis are :

  • Raised, red patches of skin topped with loose, silvery scales, usually on the knees or elbows
  • Thick, red patches known as plaques, and dry, silvery scales appearing on the scalp, face, elbows, knees, palms, and soles of the feet.
  • Dry, cracked skin that may bleed
  • Joint swelling, tenderness, and pain
  • Thickened, pitted or ridged nails

Psoriasis is generally thought to be a genetic disease, which is triggered by environmental factors. Symptoms often worsen during winter and with certain medications such as beta blockers( Blood pressure medicines)  and NSAIDs (type of pain killers) Infections and psychological stress may also play a role.

According to Ayurveda Psoriasis can be considered as the vitiation of Vata and Kapha dosha.Uneven and unhealthy food habits, consumption of foodstuffs in the wrong combination (Example: dairy products with fish or chicken), too much intake of yogurt, black gram, seafood, excesses of sour and salted food stuffs, etc. can trigger the psoriasis inducing pathogenesis. Other catalysts that cause psoriasis includes stress, alcohol, and tobacco consumption

Treatment

There is no cure for psoriasis in modern medicine. However, various treatments can help control the symptoms. These treatments may include steroids, Vitamin D3 and immune system suppressing medications. However, Psoriasis can be effectively treated through Ayurvedic Rejuvenation and detoxification therapies.

CASE STUDY

Erythrodermic psoriasis

A  62 yrs old female  patient known case of Erythrodermic psoriasis, cervical spondylosis, Osteoporosis, Cardiac pace maker came with complaints of Psoriatic rashes all over body, stress, Insomnia, apathy, anorexia, hyperacidity, multiple joint pain, cervical pain, headaches.

History of present illness- Patient has been suffering from psoriasis since 30 yrs. Had tried all sorts of medicines from various doctors around the world, but nothing seemed to help her condition. Even she had used local as well as oral steroids for her condition, which had helped her for a while, however after 6 month she had developed very sever psoriatic rashes all over the body including scalp. Having lost hope in modern medicine patient had decided to go for Ayurvedic treatments.

Treatment-

As Stress plays very important role in aggravating the psoriasis condition, treatment was started with Shirodhara therapy for 7 days. After Shirodhara therapy scaling, redness and size of skin rashes went down, there was remarkable reduction in itching and irritability of skin.   After 7 days, 11-days Purgation therapy was given.Purgation helped to detoxify whole body system, removing dead cell and inflammatory mediators responsible for inflammation and thickness of Psoriatic skin rashes. Patient was kept on oral medication for 1 yr; this was associated with diet changes and exercise. Within one year patient got free from 30 yr old erythrodermic psoriasis.

Below are the photos showing effect Ayurvedic treatment on psoriatic patches before and after therapy-

Before therapy
Before therapy
Before therapy
Before therapy
After therpay
After therapy

Ayurveda Kenya