Having fought migraine for a good part of my life, I know what suffering from chronic pain means and I also know well the need to use painkillers to be able to continue to carry out your activities and have a normal life. In fact, those who suffer from chronic pain depend on painkillers: liniments, balms, but also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs which are commonly referred to as pain killers. These medicines have many side effects that become harmful in the long run and in regular use. Chronic Pain negatively affects the person and spreads its nagging irritating feel not only inside the person but also in his/her family, profession and his/her social life. Majority of the times chronic pains are set aside as back burners since they are mostly not life threatening. Reality is that chronic pains need to be treated as early as possible in time so as to prevent or minimize major damage to the physical, mental and social life.
The International Pain Study Association defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of that damage. Pain is classified into acute, subacute and chronic depending on the onset, duration and intensity. Most pains are chronic in nature and last for more than six months. Most chronic pain is almost constant with occasional exacerbations. The American Chronic Pain Association has classified chronic pain on the quality of life scale between 0-10, where 0 represents the pain that limits the person in bed and 10 is the person who leads a normal life despite the pain. Pain in Ayurveda is defined as shoola or ruja and is said to be caused by Dosha Vata in its pathological state.
Ayurvedic medicine can help in eradicating the causes of pain. Managed diseases: migraine and related headaches, neck pain, back pain, knee pain, fibromyalgia, frozen shoulder, arthritis, low back pain, disc problems, postural pain, trigeminal neuralgia, headache, neuropathic pain etc. Ayurvedic medicines have minimal or no side effects when used correctly and as prescribed. Ayurveda is based on the treatment of the underlying condition and the correction of the pathology where possible. Ayurvedic therapies give proven results and improve the health of the affected part and the general sense of well-being. Ayurvedic pain management techniques and Marma therapies heal the person physically and mentally.
One of the Ayurvedic centers where there is a precise pain treatment protocol is Harivihar in northern Kerala. Harivihar’s integrated chronic pain management program is designed to manage the category of Vedana pains that fall under the 5-10 rating on the American Chronic Pain Association quality of life scale. The program is structured for:
Investigate the reasons for pain through a detailed consultation.
Reduce pain through pain management techniques with internal Ayurvedic medicines and Ayurvedic external pain management techniques such as Lepam, Pichu, Sthanika Vasthy, Bandham, Dhara, Kizhi, Vasthy, and other treatments that will be established according to the individual situation.
Use of manipulation techniques such as traction, marble therapy, acupressure, personalized yoga asanas to improve joint flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness, personalized meditation to relax the mind.
Elimination or mitigation of pain through personalized diet, lifestyle advice, psychological advice.
Follow-up sessions and continuous reviews through direct consultation or online discussions with members of the expert group
Harivihar is a 170 year old royal residence located in Calicut, the northern city of Kerala.
Atmosphere and hospitality play an important role in the recovery process from chronic pain. In Harivihar the experience of care and stay are unique. The welcoming and familiar environment, the constant smile of an attentive and caring staff, the tasty, healthy and simple vegetarian food and the careful supervision of Dr. Srikumar, his experienced team of ayurveda doctors, his wife and son make the therapeutic experience a moment of deep rebirth.
Learn more: HARIVIHAR HERITAGE AYURVEDIC HOME
“I have often found myself with a goodbye to make, a suitcase to prepare, a radical change to deal with and a new dimension to find. Managing changes in work, life and prospects have led me to my most authentic metamorphosis: to make a profession of the travel experience.