Upakrama
Upakrama are supportive or accessory therapies, either employed as preparatory procedures for Panchakarma or as individual therapies to treat various medical conditions.
Abhyanga
This Upakrama therapy involves synchronised massage using medicated oils. It is performed symmetrically by two therapists and is usually followed by a medicated steam bath.
Benefits: Abhyanga increases tissue strength, improves blood circulation, rejuvenates the whole body, nourishes the skin, delays ageing, induces sound sleep, promotes vitality and reduces stress. This type of Upakrama is also beneficial for disorders like arthritis, other joint injuries and various skin diseases.
Swedana
In swedana, steam generated from medicated decoctions will be used to induce sweating.
Benefits:This Upakrama therapy is employed to manage stress, hypertension and anxiety, neurological disorders, insomnia, etc.
Shiro Basti
In Shiro Basti, medicated oil is made to stay on the head for 30 to 45 minutes.
Benefits:This Upakrama therapy is employed for the management of neurological conditions, cerebral palsy, insomnia, etc.
Janu Basti
In this procedure, a reservoir is built around the knee joint and filled with warm medicated oil. The oil is kept in contact with knee for 15 to 20 minutes. After removing the reservoir, the affected area may be gently massaged with the same oil.
The patient is then made to take rest for a short while. If this procedure is done regularly, in many cases, it can prevent the operative interference in knee joint to maintain normal movements in the joints.
Benefits: Oestoarthritis of knee joint, stiffness and pain in knee joint, age related changes in knee joint, inflammation of knee joint.
Kati Basti
Kati Basti is used for relieving fatigue of the upper or lower back. In this procedure, heat is applied to the sacral or lumbar region through a therapeutic application in which warm medicated oil is poured into a black dough ring placed
This type of Upakrama is done on the spot of pain or discomfort. Kati Basti is a localised form of Swedana procedure where deep fomentation of the oil radiates through the muscles releasing tension and stiffness.
Benefits:Painful condition of low back region, lumbar spondylitis, spondylolisthesis, prolapsed disc, etc.
Udvarthana
In this procedure, body is massaged using a specific herbal paste called lepam, which is made from dry grain, medicated milk and a variety of oils. First, the paste is applied to the body and it will be followed by a massage or scrub. A warm
bath follows the massage to wash away the paste leaving the skin glowing with a ‘lustrous colour’ and emitting a lovely scent of leaves. The massage softens the skin and exfoliates dead skin cells. In this procedure, massaging is done for the whole body below the neck in a direction opposite to the orientation of hair in the body.
Benefits: Opens the circulatory channels, improves metabolic activity and complexion of the body, and helps in fat reduction.
Patra Pinda Sweda
Used to treat neuro-muscular disorders, in Patra Pinda Sweda, chopped and fried medicinal leaves and several other herbal ingredients are tied like a pouch using a cloth, and then dipped into warm medicated oil and massaged by four
therapists all over the body or affected part for about an hour. Administered after Abhyanga, this highly rejuvenating treatment is effective in rheumatism, bone and joint pain, paralysis, etc.
Benefits: Patra Pinda Sweda benefits in conditions such as chronic back pain, loss of function of a part or whole limb, joint stiffness and swellings, muscular pain, anti-aging & rejuvenating sciatica, spondylosis, sprains and cramps.
Greeva Basti
This is a process of rejuvenation therapy for neck and shoulder. In Greeva Basti, warm herbal oil specific to the condition is kept in contact on the involved region. The oil is circulated skillfully for 30 minutes or more time depending
on the condition. A gentle massage and fomentation completes the process.
Benefits: Neck pain, cervical spondylitis, frozen shoulder, etc.
Netra Tarpana
This is an exclusive and rejuvenating procedure practised for the health of the eyes. Netra Tarpana relieves tiredness and improves eyesight. In Netra Tarpana, freshly made dough rings are placed around the eyes in a dam like structure.
Medicated ghee (clarified butter) is poured into the eyes while they are kept open. The ghee lubricates the eyes and the surrounding areas and strengthen the tissues. The ghee is made to stay for around 30 minutes.
Benefits: Burning in the eyes, dryness in the eyes, pain in the eyes, watering eyes, myopia, conjunctivitis, etc.
Shirodhara
Medicated liquid is poured in a stream over the forehead.
Benefits: This Upakrama therapy is employed to manage stress, hypertension, anxiety, neurological disorders, insomnia, etc.
Kayaseka/ Pizichil
Two therapists continuously bathe your entire body with warm, medicated herbal oil inducing swedana (Sweating) for the elimination of impurities. Water is poured simultaneously on all sides of the body. This Upakrama treatment has an enormous cleaning and purifying effect.
Benefits: The Upakrma therapy helps in nourishing body tissues, improving blood circulation, and in managing weakness and muscular dystrophy.