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Dr. Craig’s Heart Healing Journey to India - Part 3
By Dr. Helen Thomas, D.C. | October 8, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008 - Pune, India
Hello, friends. Dr. Craig here.
Strokes affect the people who have them in many different ways. Why? Because the brain is involved in all the processes of the body - even the smallest, in some way. Fortunately, my stroke was a ”minor” stroke, which I think is classified as a stroke that doesn’t leave you with permanent paralysis or speech problems.
I don’t ever want to have another one - major or minor.
As I mentioned at the end of my last post, I think the best description of the symptoms I was left with one month after my stroke is “a bad case of permanent jet lag” that just won’t go away or get better. So I arrived in India with two sets of jet lag; one, I was able to get over in about four days, and the other…I’m working on getting over my stroke “jet lag” right now.
DR. PENDSE’S PLAN FOR HEALING MY STROKE DAMAGE
You’ll remember that after my initial evaluation with Dr. Pendse the day after I arrived, he gave me five(5) days worth of Ayurvedic medicines to take: pills, tonics and a jam. When I met with him last Tuesday, he examined me and set out a course of action. I recorded it and had it transcribed so I could share it directly with you.
Here’s Dr. Pendse in his own words describing what he found and his treatment plan:
“The presentation with which you came to me is known in classical Ayurvedic literature - the Charaka Samhita, written approximately 2000 years ago; chapter 28 - as Kapha Avruta Vata. It’s a kind of blockage taking place in the normal smooth flow of the controlling factor in the body, known as the Vata dosha.
This impairment, this obstruction to normal functioning in your case, is what is affecting your body physiology right now. The whole objective of my treatment is to make that obstruction less and to keep it less by proper medications, but more so - in the long run - with proper diet, exercise, and breathing exercises.
In the short term, we will decrease the obstructions by judicious use of internal medicine and external treatments. The medications which were given to you over the last five days brought about the following changes (which I am happy to note):
1. First, as I have said earlier, you should find an improvement in your flow of Vata, specifically the type of Vata which controls circulation - “Vyanna” which is considered to be primarily involved with the normal functioning of the heart and the circulatory system.
One of the indications that it has started working (in a less inhibited manner) is the absence of swelling in your legs which was pretty alarming. That swelling has gone down in the past five days! You also had mild swelling in your face, which is also less.
2. The second improvement which we both have noticed - especially in the pulse examination I gave you - is the lightness in your body, which again, indicates that the obstructive changes taking place in your body’s physiology are reducing.
3. The most important fact - which I have mentioned the last time - is to have a healthier movement of your intestines, not by using purgatives, but by initiating the body’s ability to clear itself of toxins and to bring about a good peristaltic action in the GI tract. Unless we achieve that, it is improper to begin with Panchakarma treatment.
You also had a large amount of ama, which we have been able to decrease using the medications I’ve given you.
Now the protocol for the coming weeks is a course of internal medications, external massage, and a kind of Bastis - medicated enemas - which will further improve on the changes we have started to bring about in your physiological processes so as to enable the body to return back to whatever is normal for your Prakruti.
In order to do that, you’re expected to follow a diet that is very easy to digest. So you should avoid - in the coming 15 days - all kinds of raw foods, uncooked foods, and unripe fruits, and you should try and take warm or hot water at all times. It is also important that you follow the diet that I will give you in writing for the next 15 days.
I will be re-evaluating you periodically during these two weeks. My fellow assistant treating vaidjas will report back to me on a daily basis about the changes they have noticed whilst you are undergoing Panchakarma in the mornings at my clinic.
A WORD ABOUT PANCHAKARMA FROM DR. PENDSE
Panchakarma should not be done if there is no clinical indication for it. I am of the opinion that Panchakarma should not be done just because it is available, one is ready to do it, and the physician is ready to carry it out for you. Panchakarma is not done that way. There is a possibility that you might cause yourself harm in the long run or even in the short run.
In your case, Craig, the Panchakarma that is required is a kind of modified treatment regime which I will define, and I will talk with my colleagues about it. You will undergo it in the coming two weeks, and I will share the details with you as we progress when we meet again.
MY DIET AND PANCHAKARMA TREATMENT
The diet I’m on during this period is: rice, dal, cooked vegetables, no corn or potatoes, and warm water. This is pretty easy to stick to since the hotel I’m staying at has one of the finest restaurants specializing in Maharashtran vegetarian cuisine! So I’m all set! In addition to my diet, I have more and different Ayurvedic pills, tonics and medicinal jam to take from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Every morning, I go to the clinic for my Panchakarma treatment. My technicians are two young Ayurvedic doctors who are doing a kind of post-graduate externship in Panchakarma. They’re both male, as Ayurveda doesn’t mix genders.
Here’s my daily regimen:
1. Snehana - This is a VERY vigorous massage with medicated oil covering every part of the body. The oil used, called Sahacharadi Oil, is very specific to my condition.
2. Udvartana - This is the application (again, by massage…more like scrubbing!) of medicated powder. In this case, it’s Triphala powder. They can call it “powder” if they like, but it feels like sand to me!
3. Swedana - Covered in oil and powder, I climb into a sweat box for 15 minutes of steam.
4. Basti - A medicated oil-and-honey enema, sometimes twice.
I am monitored every day by one of the Pendses or Dr. Anjali, who is a professor in Ayurvedic Panchakarm at Pune University. There is much taking of the pulse and palpation of the abdomen by all these doctors!
LIFE FOR ME IN PUNE
Most days, the procedures wipe me out, and I take a rest back at the hotel. I go for a walk every day for as long as I can. I found this really neat park dedicated to Nehru. Lots of people walk laps there - mostly older folks like me. We smile at each other - the brotherhood of tired hearts, high blood pressure, and clogged arteries!
How am I doing? Definitely better. The effects of the stroke are fading. While I still feel tired, I feel like I’m rebuilding from the ground up. My mind is beginning to focus again. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity to experience Ayurveda in its pure form. This is definitely NOT your Mama’s spa experience!
A FINAL WORD OF CAUTION
Don’t try this at home! Panchakarma is serious business and should not be done unless indicated and under the supervision of a trained Ayurvedic doctor. In America - and even in parts of India - it’s a spa-like experience where the patient chooses what he or she wants, not the doctor. As Dr. Pendse says, it is not done that way in classical Ayurveda. Panchakarma is a medical procedure which must be approached with respect.
Well, that’s all for this week. Thank you once again for your support. If you would like to e-mail me directly, please feel free: care@effortlessayurvedicliving.com.
Thanks again for all of your support. Until next week…
Namaste,
Dr. Craig Thomas, D.C.
DR. PENDSE IS COMING TO THE U.S.
Dr. Helen and Dr. Craig are welcoming their friend and colleague, Dr. Narendra Pendse, for a series of seminars and consultations at the Thomas Ayurveda and Chiropractic clinic in Santa Rosa, CA this November.
Learn Ayurvedic daily regimens and diets (including cooking demonstrations) to treat and prevent:
Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia - November 11th
Headaches and Migraines - November 13th
Pre -, Mid-, and Post-Menopausal Treatments - November 18th
Dual Ayurvedic Pulse Examination and Treatment Plan consultations with Dr. Narendra Pendse are also available at the Thomas Ayurveda and Chiropractic clinic on: November 10, 12, 17, and 19th.
Please call for more details or to schedule an appointment:
1-707-527-7313
P.S. COMING SOON!
Hi, folks. Dr. Helen here, and I just wanted to give you a heads-up about a new product that I’m developing called The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care. We have only one heart to keep our life blood flowing through us, so we’d better take care of it! Ayurveda has incredible healing techniques and all-natural medicines to promote heart health, and I want to share them with you.
The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care program is three-fold:
Part I: Learn more about the ancient healing science of Ayurveda with my What Is Ayurveda? Understanding the Principles of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Body Types downloadable PDF booklet. What dosha represents YOU? Which daily regimen - Vata, Pitta or Kapha - will lead you on a path of well-being and health?
Part II: Discover the Ayurvedic methods and treatments to strengthen your beautiful heart with my Heart Care the Ayurvedic Way downloadable PDF booklet. This special report delves into the safe, natural practices of Ayurveda that will nuture your heart and improve your overall health.
Part III: Listen as I and Dr. Craig (with special guest moderator Michelle Yozzo Drake) discuss his personal treatments and dig more deeply into heart health the Ayurvedic way with the Ayurvedic Heart Health Audio Presentation.
I’m so very excited to be able to offer you this program because I want you - and your heart - to be balanced and healthy for years and years to come. Ayurveda has so much to offer, if you embrace it. Trust me, your heart will thank you for it.
Stay tuned for more details on The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care program!
Topics: Ayurveda & Heart Health, Ayurveda and Modern Medicine, Ayurveda and Purification, Ayurveda and Stroke, India & Ayurveda |
3 Responses to “Dr. Craig’s Heart Healing Journey to India - Part 3”
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October 8th, 2008 at 7:13 am
[…] Original Dr. Helen Thomas, D.C. […]
October 8th, 2008 at 7:39 am
[…] Lemuel wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAyurveda has incredible healing techniques and all-natural medicines to promote heart health, and I want to share them with you. The Ayurvedic Approach to Healthy Heart Care program is three-fold:. Part I: Learn more about the ancient … […]
October 9th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Dear Dr. Helen, Hearty congratulations on UR recovery & I wish U to fully recover & have fine health. UR article is very good & I liked the effective treatment. I hope & wish very much Dr.Pendse`s treatment, his visit & UR knowledge & experience will be of immense help to the people in America & other places.
Namste & God`s blessings,
UR`S sincerely,
Shanmukha