What is Ayurveda?
The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words AYUR - life and VEDA - science or knowledge. Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life.
It is the traditional medical wisdom from India that centers on establishing/maintaining a sense of health and balance (in body and mind) through the seasons as well as all stages of life.
Based on the idea that disease is due to an imbalance or stress in a person's constitution, Ayurveda encourages certain lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain a balance between the body, mind, spirit, and the environment.
Can you explain the concept of personal constitutions as it relates to Ayurveda?
The elements earth, water, fire and air/ether, in varying quantities, make up a person’s constitution (or DOSHA in Sanskrit). These are a person’s natural physical and mental tendencies or makeup. Ayurveda organizes these into three categories: air/space (VATA), fire/water (PITTA), and earth/water (KAPHA)
When we have an excess of one or more of the elements in our physical or mental constitution, it can present as a physical or mental imbalance.
So, when you know your natural constitution, Ayurveda can teach you how to use food and lifestyle choices to keep your body and mind in balance throughout your life.
Can you share some examples?
Sure. An excess of earth or water element could present as swelling, congestion, headaches, lethargy, brain fog, memory issues, and/or depression.
An excess of fire could present as inflammation, rashes, heartburn, indigestion, burning, impatience and/or anger.
An excess of air could present as dry skin, cracking joints, tightness/tension in the muscles, gas, constipation, bloating, restlessness, dizziness, anxiety, and/or insomnia.
How do you integrate/apply this into your physical therapy practice?
It is a perspective I bring in to enhance healing and natural ways of establishing balance in the body, mind and environment in which one is living/working/playing. Ayurvedic approaches are about movement and circulation, finding stagnation and natural movement to establish flow.
For example, swelling in the knees may be related to one’s diet, backache due to constipation, or headaches due to an acid imbalance in the stomach.
Thus, in addition to traditional physical therapy, I educate my patients on how to bring their bodies back into balance through specific movement exercises, breathing techniques, and nutrition creating a comprehensive treatment plan.
What came first for you, physical therapy or Ayurveda?
The two are interwoven. I’ve been studying Ayurveda since I was a teenager, for my own health and to learn natural ways to keep the body in balance.
After I completed my DPT training, I was inspired to take on more formal advanced studies in Ayurveda in order to offer more comprehensive care to my more complex cases.
How would you summarize the benefits of interweaving traditional physical therapy with the ancient teachings of Ayurveda?
In addition to the musculoskeletal approach of traditional physical therapy, Ayurvedic wisdom allows us to treat each season and stage of life differently. It helps one to understand the relationship between the body and food and how to use Ayurvedic eating principles to help the body heal.
