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Kalarichikilsa is a system of medicine
based on Ayurveda, specialising in treatment of orthopaedic
disorders and neuromuscular problems like back pain, spondylosis etc
and respiratory disorders like arthritis.
The practitioner ie. the Gurukkal has wide
knowledge in the science of marmas (vital spots). In the
human body there are certain spots where a bruise or a blow can
cause death or numbness of some organs. These spots numbering to 107
are called the marmas or the vital spots. The knowledge of
these marmas plays a major role in the effective practice of
Kalari Chikilsa. Specially formulated oils and herbs also
play an important part in effecting cures
The underlying principle of Kalari Chikilsa
is that an abnormality in any system of the human body such as
nervous system, musculoskeletal system can happen only if any one or
more of the 107 vital spots are bruised. The treatment is all about
detecting the vital spots affected and restoring them to
normalcy.
The fact that Kalari Chikilsa concentrates
on treating the affected vital spots ie. on curing the root cause
and not the symptoms, makes it the most suitable method for the
treatment of sprains, bruises, fractures and dislocations.
In Kalarichikilsa, nothing hostile to the
body is used and nothing toxic is left behind. This makes
Kalarichikilsa free from side effects.
Several cases where surgery is found to be
necessary in modern techniques of therapy, can be cured by
Kalarichikilsa without the surgical blade coming into play.
Also, there have been numerous cases in which Kalarichikilsa
has succeeded where modern therapy was helpless.
Cures
The different treatment
methods used in Kalarichikilsa are:
Uzhichil
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It
is a therapy, which rejuvenates the
nervous and muscular systems of the
body and stimulates the blood
circulation.
Uzhichil is the systematic application of pressure on the
muscles according to their structure, at the same time stimulating
the nervous system and the circulatory system. This is done by
oiling and massaging the various parts of the body. The practice
helps in preparing a healthy body for Kalarippayat training. It also
enhances the general fitness of a common man.
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The oil used for uzhichil depends upon the
prakrutham or physical nature of the person. In general cases, a
specially prepared Mukkoott oil is used.
Uzhichil is of two
types-
Kaiuzhichil done with the hands, meant for
children, the elderly and people of light
build,
Chavuttiuzhichil, done with the feet, meant for
young and healthy persons.
Uzhichil minimises the pressure on the
heart and on the nerves to the heart by its technique of massaging
from the waist downwards and upwards to the upper part of the body.
The pressure and the force of massage is increased day by day till
the 4th day and then reduced so as to reach the minimum again on the
7th day. The massage is also done for the face and the head.
Kizhithirummu
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In this
method, specially prepared herbs and leaves are bundled in a cloth
bag, known as Kizhi. This kizhi is dipped into a thailam (medicated
oil) the temperature of which is determined according to the
physique of the patient. The combination of the oil also changes
depending on the nature of bruise. The kizhi is applied with
certain pressure on the body where there is pain and swelling..
Kizhithirummu is very effective in
treating osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. This is also useful to
treat age old bruises and disorders.
Njavarakizhi, a particular type of
kizhi, is used to stimulate the nerves and to strengthen the
muscles. Njavara, a kind of paddy having medicinal properties
is boiled in kashayam (medicinal decoction) and the kizhi is
made with this boiled njavara. The kizhi is dipped in
a mixture of milk and medicinal decoction and is applied all over
the body.
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Nasyam
It is a method of
Kalarichililsa where the medicated oils are administered
through the nose. This treatment is effective for sinusitis and
other ENT infections. |
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