Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Management
MS is a disease that strikes only the central nervous system by degrading the myelin sheath (a soft fatty substance that covers nerve fibres) and replaces them with scar tissue. This can block the flow of signals from the brain and impair normal functions including vision, strength, and coordination. Ayurvedic treatments can help alleviate symptoms and even regain lost function.
Obesity Management
A person is considered obese when their body weight is 20% or more above normal body weight. This condition can cause a host of cardiovascular diseases and may contribute to increased mortality. For individuals aged between 30 and 42, risk of death increases by 1% for each 0.5Kg weight rise. For people between 50 and 62, this figure increases to 2% per 0.5 Kg. Punarnava’s unique treatment discipline that combines medication and lifestyle changes (including food) has proven effective at combating obesity for all age groups.
Hemiplegia
Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in a part of the body, and it can be partial or complete. This could often be caused by strokes or spinal cord injury and can lead to the paralysis of several muscle groups impeding movement or basic motor functions. Depending on severity, Ayurvedic treatments can lessen the symptoms or contribute to a partial or full recovery.
De-addiction
Alcohol and other addictive substances affect multiple organ systems and alter the brain’s neurochemistry. Alcoholics in particular are at an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy, trauma and a wide variety of cancers. Substance abuse is a hard to cure affliction, however, Ayurvedic treatments can help people start on the path to full recovery.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that leads to shaking (tremors) and difficulty with walking, movement, and coordination. This happens when nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine (a neurochemical that helps control muscle movement) are slowly destroyed. Late-stage Parkinson’s can cause a severe loss in the quality of life. Punarnava’s Ayurvedic treatments show considerable results in slowing the progression of the disease and vastly improving their ability to perform day-to-day tasks.
Myasthenia Gravis
This is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease caused by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal muscles of the body and is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Symptoms could include eye muscle weakness, eyelid drooping, unstable gait, difficulty swallowing and drawing breath etc. Muscle weakness caused by this affliction worsens as the muscle is used repeatedly. As it is a progressive disease, symptoms usually get worse gradually over time. Ayurvedic treatments for Myasthenia Gravis can slow down progression of symptoms and even regain some muscular strength.
Arthritis and Rheumatic Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a condition characterised by the inflammation, swelling and tenderness in joints. It causes pain and stiffness in the joint area which can get worse with age. The most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (inflammation in the knee joints). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disorder that causes swelling, pain, morning stiffness, and redness around the joints among other things. As it progresses, the inflamed synovium invades and causes damage to the cartilage and bones of the joint. This can cause the joints to deform and shift out of place while also affecting other body parts as well (skin, eyes, heart, lungs etc).
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, characterised by an inflammation of the joints, caused by the degradation of the cartilages (a protein substance that acts as a cushion between the bones of the joints). With age, the cartilage loses its moisture content which leads to flaking and tiny crevasses. The worn joints can be irritated and inflamed over repetitive use which leads to the eventual loss of cartilage between the joints. Not only does the person suffer from stiffness and swelling, but it can also be quite painful as there is increased friction between the bones, which limits the range of mobility. Bone overgrowths that protrude outward (bone spurs) can be seen in advanced cases of osteoarthritis.
Psoriasis
An inflammatory affliction of the skin, psoriasis is referred to in Ayurveda as Ekakushta. It results in the rapid production of the skin cells that can appear as reddish dry patches and scales on the afflicted area. It majorly affects body parts such as the knees, elbows, and scalp. In Ayurveda, Ekakushta is caused by the impairment of the Vata (the life force that controls body movement and function) and Kapha doshas (life force responsible for body structure and growth) This can happen due to unhealthy food habits, the contradictory combination of food, sedentary lifestyle, etc. All of this can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the deep tissues of the blood, which manifests as skin lesions on the body.
Cervical Spondylosis (Neck Pain)
A degenerative condition caused by age-related factors, cervical spondylosis is a cascade of changes that heavily affect the spinal column and over time, can lead to the direct compression or dysfunction of the spinal cord. It is a general term for age-related wear and tear condition that affects the spinal disks. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, certain signs common with osteoarthritis may be apparent, such as prominent projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs). Although it is mainly attributed to changes due to age, it can also be caused by heavy-lifting, sports injuries, ruptured disks, etc.
Developmental delay in children
This is defined by a delay in a child’s motor,social, mental and communication skills that can be caused by genetic factors (eg:down syndrome) or complications during pregnancy or birth (prematurity or infections). Parents are usually the first to notice if their child is lagging behind or isn’t progressing at the same rate as other children of the same age. Although minor delays are not a cause for alarm since each child reaches a developmental milestone at his/her own pace, The Ayurvedic treatment for developmental delay involves a combination of several medications and supportive therapies which have been known to cause significant improvement.
Stress and anxiety management
Stress is commonly known as Saahasa in Ayurveda. It can lead to Ojakshaya (loss of immunity) which can disrupt your body’s defenses and leave you susceptible to a wide range of diseases. Ayurveda employs a stress management strategy that involves the intake of rasaayana herbs combined with healthy dietary practices to strengthen the body’s coping capacity. Present-day hectic schedules, impending deadlines, constant demands and pressures from the workplace,etc. can result in undue stress and strain in the individual irrespective of age. Persistent stress that begins to interfere with your daily life is then called anxiety. It is a state of excessive uneasiness, worry or fear.
Infertility (Vrushya chikitsa)
Vrushya chikitsa is one of the main branches in Ayurveda that deals with the treatment for various sex related issues such as premature ejaculation, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, various menstrual disorders and infertility. According to Ayurveda, reproductive health largely depends on the health of the shukra dhatu (reproductive tissue such as sperm and ovum). Metabolic regulation with the help of Ayurvedic aphrodisiac medicines, external therapies and lifestyle modification can yield results.
Post-Covid Care
Covid-19 often causes multiple complications even after recovery. These may include but are not limited to; breathlessness, exertional dyspnea, cardiac issues, diabetic complications, excessive tiredness, loss of appetite, loss of smell and taste, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure etc. Ayurvedic conservative management in the form of internal medicines, detoxification and ‘Rasaayana’ therapies help to regain vigor and vitality.
Post-Chemo Care/Radiation
Chemo and radiation therapies usually cause tissue damage and compromises general health and immunity. Authentic Ayurvedic treatments combined with rejuvenation and ‘Rasaayana’ therapies helps to regain lost function and quality of life.
Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injuries
Injuries sustained from accidents and traumatic incidents can cause lasting damage to the brain and spinal cord resulting in permanent or partial loss of function, paralysis (quadriplegia, paraplegia etc). Long term Ayurvedic treatments combined with rehabilitation and other alternative therapies can make a big difference in the status of the patient and can improve their basic functionality.
Post-operative rehabilitation
Aimed at rehabilitating the individual after a surgical process (for eg: joint replacements, fracture management, neuro surgeries etc) with the support of Ayurveda, Physiotherapy and other rehabilitative modalities.
Management of sports injuries
Injuries sustained from strenuous sports like Achilles tendon injuries, ACL tear, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow etc can be managed well with Ayurvedic medicine, treatments, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises.