KOCHI: ‘A complete ayurvedic rejuvenation package’, ‘Massage your cramps and pain away’... these are some of the taglines that can be spotted once the month of Karkidakam starts. Many centres, clinics and spas are eyeing the golden period of Karkidakam wherein they can rake in some extra moolah.
But, the crucial question is how many of these establishments are licenced and how many have the requisite infrastructure needed to provide a complete Ayurvedic treatment.
With more and more people turning towards Ayurveda in their search for a side-effect free treatment regime, traditional medicine is turning into a lucrative business. With money pouring in, a lot of ayurvedic spas, massage centres and clinics have mushroomed not only in the city but also on the outskirts.
People throng these centres or clinic without understanding the danger lying in wait for them. Ayurveda seems harmless but in the hands of the wrong person, it can cause a lot of complications. Recently, when Ramesh K, a bank manager, went to an Ayurveda massage centre little did he know that instead of getting relief from acute back pain, it was to take a turn for the worst. The wrong treatment left him with excruciating pain and had to seek allopathic remedy.
“Everyone thinks there is no side-effect when it comes to Ayurveda. But that is a wrong notion,” Linita Rakesh, RCM Hospital said. According to her, Ayurveda treatment regime is decided based on the body type of the patient. “There are three body types - kapha, pitha and vata. Each body type needs a particular treatment regime. If the treatment regime planned doesn’t suit a person’s body type, it might cause him or her harm in the long run,” she said.
If a person wants to avail a rejuvenation package, the first step that he or she needs to do is see a doctor, she added. “Let the doctor examine you thoroughly. He will then prescribe the necessary treatment regime or medicine that the person has to avail of or take,” she said. Never ever join a treatment regime or package without consulting an expert. If you do so, instead of feeling a sense of wellness, the person might feel the worse, Linita added.
“The same applies for massages,” said Dr Prasad Chandran. “If a person gets massaged by an untrained masseur, chances are high instead of getting the relief he or she may end up feeling worse,” said the doctor.