HOLISTIC HEALTH
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HOLISTIC HEALTH: An Overview
Before understanding Holistic Health, Let’s first understand what health is!
Health has a variety of definitions that have been used for different purposes over time. According to W. H. O. (World Health Organization), Health is defined as a state of complete Physical, Mental, and Social well-being and not nearly the absence of disease or infirmity. Hence to have a healthy life one has to be Physically, Mentally, and Socially complete.
Similar concepts existed in Ancient Indian, Chinese, and Greek Medicine. In the Fifth century, Pinder defined health as the Harmonious functioning of the physical body and the overall development accompanied by the feeling of comfort. Even today his definition plays an importance as a prerequisite for overall Health and Wellness. Hypocrites explained health in connection with the environment and factors and Lifestyle, He was the creator of the concept of positive health which is dependent on the primary human body which we consider today as genetics.
Another important aspect of health is the ability of the individual to adapt to the influences of the environment to the extent that the individual tolerates and resists. When the adaptability ends, the disease starts to begin.
The Holistic concept of health is contained in the expression of wholeness. Health is a relative state in which one can function well physically, mentally, socially, intellectually, and spiritually. Both health and illness are dynamic processes and each person is located on a graduated scale or continuous spectrum ranging from absolute Wellness and optimum functioning in every aspect of life to illness ultimately culminating in death at the other end.
We can see here that health is not just the absence of symptoms or disease. So when a person is not well treat the person as a whole which includes every aspect of the health. This approach to healing is called Clinical Holistic Medicine.
Clinical Holistic medicine has its roots in Medicine and tradition since ancient times. Holistic medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses a person as a whole. It is an approach to Wellness that simultaneously addresses the physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual components of health. The term holism refers to the theory that all parts of a whole are intimately interconnected. According to the theory, it is a mistake to study just one part or even multiple parts separately if we want to understand how they work together.
Modern medicine is disease-centric. Often medical providers prioritize treating symptoms and reducing pain over understanding how people's entire lives contribute to their health or the disease. By connecting with deeper and spiritual well-being with the help of Holistic Medicine, We can not only minimize pain and alleviate symptoms and connect with richer sources of cultural and spiritual renewal in the community.
Holistic medicine includes Ayurveda, yoga, life coach therapy, Naturopathy, homeopathy functional medicine, meditation, and massages, to name a few.
All these therapies aim at the holistic well-being of the individual. They also go hand in hand with the conventional system of medicine which is called an integrated system of medicine.
What is Panchakarma?
(Ayurvedic Detox Therapy)
‘Pancha’ means Five, and ‘Karma’ means actions or procedures. Panchakarma is a cleansing and rejuvenating procedure for the body, mind, and soul (consciousness).
Treatments in Ayurveda are classified into two groups:
Shamana Chikitsa (Pacification therapy/Palliation therapy)
Used to treat the imbalance in the body and mind.
Administration of various herbal preparations.
Shodhana Chikitsa (Purification therapy)
If the doshas (basic body constituents) are vitiated beyond a particular level, they give rise to various Ama (endo-toxins), which tend to be accumulated in the Srotas (minute channels).
These endo-toxins are beyond the level of pacification and hence they need to be eliminated from the body through Shodhana therapy.
Ayurveda recommends purification therapy for the majority of chronic diseases.
Pancha Karma is classified as “Shodhana Chikitsa” (purification/detoxification procedure).
Objectives of Panchakarma
Panchakarma aims at the following three objectives:
Maintenance of Health and Well-being In a Healthy Individual:
It is recommended for most individuals, even those who are healthy, as part of regular seasonal regimens. The doshas (basic body constituents) naturally accumulate owing to seasonal changes. These doshas can lead to various ailments if not evacuated from the body on a timely basis.
Elimination Of The Disease in the Chronic and Acute Phases of the Disease:
In acute diseases, disease progression can be immediately arrested if the vitiated doshas are eliminated on time. In chronic diseases, the deep-seated doshas and ama are removed from the body. This cleansing process allows the healing process.
As a Preliminary Practice to Restore Health Before Rejuvenation:
After completion of Panchakarma, Rasayana (rejuvenation) and Vajikarana (revitalization) therapies are performed to attain excellent tissues and cells that constitute our body and for the promotion of positive health.
Benefits of Panchakarma
Strengthens the immune system and provides more resistance to illness.
Cleansing and rejuvenating therapy for body, mind, and consciousness.
Restores constitutional balance and beneficial effects on overall health, wellness, and self-healing.
Relives stress from both body and mind.
Reduces dependence on drugs and medications.
Eliminates excess toxins from cells.
Enhances digestion and metabolism.
Revitalizes the nervous system.
Enhances self-reliance, strength, energy, vitality, and mental clarity.
Bring deep relaxation and a sense of well-being.
Implements positive lifestyle changes.
Reduced cardiovascular risk factors.
Contraindications of Panchakarma
Even though panchakarma practices have numerous benefits certain Panchakarma procedures are not suitable for certain health problems. There are a few procedures that should not be performed on pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Panchakarma treatments should be performed by qualified, skilled, and experienced Ayurvedic practitioners only.
What Are the Three Steps Involved in Panchakarma?
Panchakarma is a scientific purificatory treatment procedure and can be broadly divided into three steps for execution purposes. They are as follows:
1. Poorva Karma - preparatory actions
It is the mandatory procedure before the core procedure to enable a person to receive the maximum benefits of the principal treatment. It involves two main procedures:
Snehan (Oleation) and
Swedan (Fomentation)
These procedures assist in dislodging the accumulated toxic substances from various extremities into the core and prepare the body for further purificatory procedures.
2. Pradhana Karma - main actions
In this process, the appropriate purificatory procedure is selected. The Ayurvedic physician decides which procedure will render maximum benefit to the person.
3. Paschat Karma - post-therapeutic actions
The post-therapy dietary regimen is selected to restore the body’s digestive and absorptive capacity to its normal state.
The Five Cleansing Techniques
1.Vamana (therapeutic emesis)
This cleansing encompasses induced vomiting to eliminate excess mucus and toxins in our body. It is classically used in respiratory and digestive tract disorders.
2.Virechana (therapeutic purgation)
In this process, Ayurvedic herbs are used to induce bowel movements which helps in the eradication of toxins from our body. It helps the body get rid of negative buildups and endorses overall health and hormonal balance.
3.Basti (Therapeutic enema)
In this procedure various herbal and oils are used to give enemas to eliminate toxins from the colon. Digestive disorders, constipation, and hemorrhoids are treated efficiently.
4.Nasya (Nasal instillation)
This is the most unique way of administrating oil and herbal decoction in our body. A few drops are used to remove toxins from our sinuses and head region. It is beneficial for allergies, headaches, and other sinus issues.
5. Rakta Moksha (Bloodletting)
This is also an exceptional way of treatment mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts. Blood circulates throughout the body and hence carries all the impurities from all the organs. Ayurveda recommends bloodletting as a therapy for some skin disorders and certain diseases that are associated with impurities in the blood.