http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040208/spectrum/main2.htm
Dr Deepa Shankar of the Institute of Economic Growth studied the role of traditional and alternative health systems in health care. Studying the patterns in Kerala, she notes that in acute cases of aches and pains, 86 per cent of the people opted for allopathic treatment. These numbers were reversed when patients were subject to chronic aches and pain-- 44 per cent stuck to allopathic care while 54 per cent opted for ayurvedic treatment. Dermatological treatment has registered the same trends. A whopping 81 per cent opted for allopathic treatment in acute dermatological distress. But in chronic cases, the numbers opting for ayurvedic care rose to 43 per cent. For chronic handicaps, 64 per cent opt for ayurvedic care, while only 28 per cent go in for allopathic treatment. For problems related to the reproductive system, 57 per cent opt for ayurvedic treatment. The study found that while allopathy was more popular, most people favoured ayurvedic care for chronic problems. After fighting a losing battle with chronic arthritis, retired botanist Maya Anderson, 71, made a determined journey from the USA to Sittilanchery, a small village near Palghat. Anderson booked in at the Narayana Ayurveda Chikitsalaya to undergo a 16-day treatment for painful swollen knees. "I was a near cripple. Some days, I was completely bed-ridden and would lose all hope of ever leading a normal life." At the Chikitsalaya, Anderson was given herbal oil massages coupled with complete rest and a boiled food-minimal salt diet. She also drank kashayam, a herbal deconcoction, and took guggulu tablets. Anderson's doctors have told her to repeat the treatment for the next three years for complete cure. "I now have my life back. I can understand, care and manage my condition. That is the key," she says. The flip side, says Verma, is that "most centres do not offer authentic treatment. Most tourists go back from India thinking that a massage with herbal oil is ayurveda treatment. The fact is that massage is just a small part of it. An equally important component of the treatment is the diet and lifestyle of the patient and the herbal supplements prescribed. This can be done only by a trained ayurveda physician. Such commercialisation only harms our traditional science." WFS Shrikant Vinayak Barve Now surf faster and smarter ! Check out the new Firefox 3 - Yahoo! Edition http://downloads.yahoo.com/in/firefox/?fr=om_email_firefox