Ayurveda has rich potential to promote health of the elderly, besides the scope of rejuvenation and promotion of longevity.
Geriatric care has to address two-fold problems, firstly the basic anti-aging care to retard the rate of physiological aging and secondly the medical management of diseases and disorders occurring in old age such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, parkinsonism, degenerative arthritis, osteoporosis, opportunistic infections, prostatic enlargement, degenerative eye diseases like cataract, a range of angioplasties, neurodegenerative diseases and senile psychoses causing major morbidity in old age.
Ayurveda, being fundamentally the science of life and longevity, address these issues in a unique holistic manner not merely with biological care, but also by encompassing the psychosocial and spiritual aspects.
The metabolism process in the human body releases wastes into the micro channels of the body affecting the functioning of the human body. Ayurveda, has well defined medical practices specially crafted for cleansing the waste materials (Srotas) in the human body.
Ayurveda has a bio-purificatory therapy practiced for refining the waste materials in the body. The treatment restoresthe inner transport system to reduce the chances of wear and tear thereby activating the rejuvenative activity.
As part of the Geriatric practice, an Ayurvedic Physician adopts rehabilitative Panchakrama Therapy avoiding evacutatory practices like Vamana and Virechana procedures that affect the immunity of the body.
The scheduled process involves ABHYNGA, comprising medicated oil applications, using steam for sedation, Pizichil, Pindaswera, Sirodhara and nourishing Basti outlined for each elderly person.
Pizhichil --- An Ayurvedic Term for massage therapy. The process involves use of a cloth dipped in warm medicated oil into the patient’s body to massage to reduce the pain in the affected areas.
Pizchil, a combination of traditional Ayurvedic treatments called As Snehana or oil massage and Swedana meaning fomentation, sweat inducing sudation. Treatment includes pouring of herbal oils under proper guidance of an Ayurvedic physician and massaging on the pain affected areas.
A classic type of Ayurveda massage performed with medicated herbal oil sand bags. All bags suited to the patient’s body through use of herbs improve the health condition of the individual. Herbs are tied up in cora cloth and then dipped in warm oil, and then placed on the body of the individual.
An amazing body therapy for improving the nervoussystem of the individual. The warm oil is then pouredin a continuous stream over the forehead or the “anja marma” where the nerves are concentrated.
The pressure of the oilonto the forehead causes a vibration that saturates the forehead and scalp into the nervous system.A gentle pressure and soothing warmth of the oil allows the body, mind andnervous system to experience a deep state ofrest; is similar tomeditation helping the head to relax.
Basti, in Ayurveda means bladder, which has tobe free from disabilities. There are some invasive therapies that affect an individual in: