Preparing for Ayurveda treatment

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medical system that has existed for more than 3000 years. It has evolved into a popular medical system that attracts people worldwide. 

As you may know, Ayurveda is different from other medical systems. The fundamental philosophy of Ayurveda treatment is that the mind, body, and spirit are one unit. The treatment typically addresses the patient as much as the disease. 

There are a few things that you should know before starting Ayurveda treatment. It will help you prepare for the treatment and get the best results from it.

Treatment Duration: 

The exact duration of Ayurveda treatment can be determined only after a personal examination by the doctor after you arrive at the hospital. So, there may be a variation from the days mentioned in the treatment plan. It is better to consider that while making your travel plans.

Ayurvedic treatments usually have a slightly longer duration compared to modern medicine. The time can be a minimum of 14 days and may go up to 28-35 days (or even more) in some cases. Again, you will have to plan for that many days to be away from work, home, and the country.

Most Ayurveda hospitals will have internet connectivity if you need to work remotely. But doctors may not encourage that as proper rest for both body and mind is required during treatment.

Personal Discussions: 

Ayurveda has a holistic approach to healthcare. So, the doctors will need to understand more about you apart from your medical issues. They may ask detailed questions about your work, family, habits, lifestyle, etc. You have to be ready to answer these questions. As mentioned above, Ayurveda treatment focuses on the patient and the illness.

Treatment Procedures: 

Therapists will do Ayurveda treatment procedures like Pizhichil, Kizhi, etc. They will be well-trained and will be doing these procedures per the doctor's guidance. However, some of these procedures can be intrusive, requiring you to expose most of your body. Exposing our bodies to strangers can be uncomfortable initially, but it is a standard practice in Ayurveda.

Please note that there will be male and female therapists in almost all Ayurveda hospitals. Typically, male therapists attend to male patients, and female therapists take care of female patients. 

Attendant/Bystander:

In most cases, Ayurveda hospitals in India will need you to come with a bystander or attendant for your Ayurveda treatment. It is better to check this upfront before you make your travel plans. 

A good option here would be to consider rejuvenation/wellness or other treatments for the bystander. 

Diet during the treatment: 

Ayurveda hospitals will only have vegetarian food on their menu. You will not be allowed to take food from outside. It would be best if you were ready for a vegetarian diet during the treatment period.

Alcohol and Smoking: 

If you are a smoker or drinker, you must stop these habits during treatment. These will not be allowed on the premises at all.

Free time: 

There will usually be two sets of treatments every day. The total time for that will be around 2-3 hours. You will thus have a lot of free time during the day. It may be worthwhile to carry books to read or have some activity planned for this free time.

What are the items to be carried?

Now that you are ready for the travel, let us give you a list of 10 items you should consider packing in your bags.

• Travel documents: Ensure your travel tickets are readily available. In addition, if you are coming from outside India, your passport and medical visa need to be in order. 
• Medical documents: All the latest reports, X-rays, and scan reports must be with you. Remember to take the prescription slips and show them to the doctor.
• Emergency contact numbers: Make sure to note the phone numbers of the hospital, your hotel, your doctor, etc. You will need to enter your residence's address and phone number in the entry form on arrival.
• Cash: You must carry a small amount of money for miscellaneous expenses like taxi rides. Residents of India are allowed to carry up to 25,000 INR in cash without any declaration. Foreign nationals can carry up to USD 5,000. You must declare to the customs officers if you are carrying more than 5,000 USD in cash.
• First aid kit: Items like lotions, bandages, and gauges are good things to be packed.
• Personal hygiene kit: Carry antiseptic creams, dental care kits, shampoos, insect repellents, etc.
• Medicines: Carry medicines for your medical condition as well as for common cold, cough, upset tummy, headaches, etc
• Clothing and footwear: No matter your situation, wearing loose, comfortable clothing and footwear can reduce discomfort. So, ensure you carry loose and comfortable clothing
• Miscellaneous items: Do you have a favorite cushion or pillow that makes sleeping easier? Ensure you carry any such things that you need to have a comfortable stay

Conclusion:

Ayurveda treatment method is indeed different from modern medicine. Before starting the treatment, it is always better to know more about Ayurveda, its protocols, and its practices. Your Ayurveda treatment experience will be excellent, provided you choose the right hospital.