Guest guest Report post Posted February 20, 2005 Dear Vaidyas, I am an Ayurvedic practitioner that also specializes in "Nadi Vigyan" Pressure Therapy. However, there is very little documentation on this therapy. So this is a plea for references and your ideas on the mode of action of this therapy. 'Nadi Vigyan' Pressure Therapy is an ancient bodywork therapy that first hit the newspaper headlines in Britain and Canada a few years ago. This is an old forgotten therapy that some say originates from the Vedas, and this practice also has roots in Tibetan medicine. All disease is the result of blocks or congestion in the nadi system. Pressure Therapy is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy channels in the body. This is a rehabilitative bodywork therapy which works by stimulating the blood supply and nerve currents to the relevant organs via the nadis, so as to redress the normal physiological functioning of the appropriate gland or organ. 'PT' utilizes the technique of "Indirect Stimulation" i.e. pressure is applied on the arms and/or legs of the patient to stop the flow of blood to the specific region of the body for a particular duration (6 seconds) and then released, so that blood flows with a greater force to the correlated nerves /glands / organs. By applying mild pressure at specified points on the limbs for specific time periods, results in a "gain of function" for the relevant organ. Historically, in the remote villages of India it was commonplace to see the house nurse relieve ailments like stomach cramps by standing on the arms and legs of the patient. Pressure Therapy was traditionally carried in this manner, but in the west hands are used with equal effect, as this makes the patient feel more at ease. Pressure is adjusted according to the age, sex, and tolerance of the patient. Usually the patient usually experiences a pleasant sensation. The nadis are centered around the navel, therefore "Nabhi diagnosis", which has been passed down through the generations is the main diagnostic tool utilized in Nadi Vigyan/ Ayurveda Pressure Therapy. "Nabhi diagnosis" involves palpating the nabhi points for temperature variations, tension, pressure pain, reactive sensations, and tightness. These nabhi points are linked to the digestive organs. Ayurveda Pressure Therapy reaffirms that by treating the digestive system we address the root cause for most disease. Consequently advise on Ayurvedic regimen; diet, lifestyle, exercise, and meditation, are valuable adjuncts of the therapy. One Ayurvedic ailment, which is not recognized in allopathy is the "dislocation of the navel" which can lead severe ailments. Like many traditional Indian folk medicine systems initial 'PT procedure' involves setting the navel, so as to correct any misalignment. This is then followed by the focal point of Pressure Therapy, which is to stimulate the blood supply/ nerve currents/ prana/ chi in the relevant nadi of the hypo functioning organs e.g. Liver, Stomach, Pancreas etc. It was while practising the traditional Indian folk medicine system of setting the navel, that Dr Mehra correlated its function to the physiology of the human body. After many years of researching the correlation of this ancient bodywork therapy Dr Mehra and his team in Bombay have developed novel treatment protocols that have had outstanding results in the treatment of many serious health conditions. This therapy is called Neurotherapy in India. “Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy is often confused with Chavutti Thirumal. Chavutti Thirumal is a full body oil massage where the therapist uses their bare feet to to massage the body. A Chavutti Thirumal practitioner massages the whole body from head to toe often, using long, sweeping strokes that concentrate on the muscoskeletal system so promoting suppleness and flexibility. “Nadi Vigyan” Pressure Therapy differs as it concentrates on stimulating the prana in specific nadis related to the specific organs of the body. For example if the Liver is under functioning, then the therapist will stimulate the nadis linked to the Liver or if the patient has a Hypo Adrenal disorder, then we stimulate the nadis linked to the Adrenal gland etc. However the countings, pressure and technique of application are fundamental in this therapy. For this reason it is important that the therapist has a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology. “Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy/Ayurveda Pressure Therapy differs from Neurotherapy in that Ayurvedic herbs are also given to the patient. These herbs target the deficient dhatus and doshas. For example if we have a patient with Amenorrhoea, then we work on the nadis connected to the uterus and ovaries. Within minutes the tension in these reflex area i.e. uterus and ovaries will reduce. Several treatments usually around 3 to 6 weekly treatments are required. For chronic cases the use of Ashwagandha/ Shatavariare will also be prescribed. With other disease pathology we may additionally administer/advise Nasya, Shirodhara, Virechana, Yoga asanas, Pranayama etc. PROPOSED MODE OF ACTION ACCORDING TO MY FINDINGS It is the nadis that carry the energy or prana. This flow of prana represents the health of the human body. As long as they are not obstructed or caught up in weakness, the body remains energetic. The technique of working on the nadis does not only serve the purpose of drawing blood to the "hypo-functioning organ" but has a more complex mode of action. The real mechanism of action is the inter-connection between the organs, the parasympathetetic/sympathetic nervous system, spine and the chakra system. Ida, Pingala and Sushumna, which interweave, the crossing points being the sites of the charkas. Where these two cross they form the plexuses, or nodes, from which the nerves radiate out to, for example the heart, lungs, diaphragm, digestive system and endocrine organs. The flow of prana in the body works is said to alternate between the 3 most important nadis in the pranic body, ida, pingala and sushumna. Dr Mehra's treatment protocols for treating the relevant organs is to treat the opposite limb e.g. right kidney = left leg and left shoulder, right ovary = left forearm, gall = right thigh etc. So would this be an interaction of ida and pingala??? or with another nadi interaction e.g. Yashasvati on the leg . VAIDYAS I NEED YOUR HELP IN THE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS THERAPY WORKS. Is the Nadi theory correct? Is it the pressure applied on the nerve plexuses (hence the term Neurotherapy) on the legs and arms, which promotes pranic flow to the Nabhi chakra? Some say that it results in the activation of Brahma Randra via the sacral pump, but I do not understand the mechanism. A Tibetan doctor has also informed me that breathing was a very important component for a very similar Tibetan therapy. So how can I incorporate this into the therapy? Dr Mehra's team has had good results in treating MS, Parkinson's Disease, Paralysis, Palsy etc. So why what would make a therapy like this effective in neuromuscular disorders? In Germany I have had astounding success with treating Infertility using Pressure Therapy only. Also treating GI disorders is routinely successful, I presume as the Nabhi Chakra is effectively treated. The root cause of nearly all medical problems in this therapy is related to the malfunctioning digestive organs. So the route of treatment is first to correct the digestive system and then address the endocrine, skin, immune organs etc. I end this rather long email with thanks for your attention and the hope that you will be able to help this PT/Neurotherapy practitioner understand how this therapy operates and provide references that may be used in future publications. Many thanks Ray S Noronha Clinical Ayurveda Practitioner European Register of Herbal Practioners Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 21, 2005 Dear Ray Noronha, The actual working mechanism of Acupuncture, Acupressure, Marma therapy or Nadi therapy is not known. It is true that there are several areas where the nerves and the autonomic system actually cross, and yet there are several areas where they do not. It is a matter of conjecture as to how the "blocks" in the nadi are relieved, by change in the flow / direction of the autonomic system or blood flow. The blood flow may ultimately depend on the autonomic nervous flow. Not only are same or opposite sides of the body recommended, but also areas of ear, or feet, or hands that correlate with other anatomic areas. Massaging the navel also relieves problems of organs related to intestines or other intra-abdominal organs. Durgesh Mankikar,MD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted February 22, 2005 there is also the issue of the pathway of the nadis the ida nadi is always on the left, the pingala on the right i have never seen an authentic reference to the nadis actually criss-crossing at the chakras, except at the ajna chakra, where shiva meets shakti and becomes ardhanaishvara, half male and female, i.e. the end of duality where everything dissolves into the pranava (OM) i certainly have seen the nadis represented as criss-crossing by western illustrators, but not in Indian texts i think its probably wrong, and may be inspired by the caduceus (the staff with dual intertwining snakes that is commonly used by the medical profession) that represents the Roman god mercury, and was later suggested to represent the Indian concept of sushumna, ida and pingala nadis by western occultists (note however that on the caduceus the snakes never actually meet, but only stare and each other eye to eye, i.e. the duality remains, and the wings of mercury in the head region suggest intellect divorced from reality... the older staff of Asclepius, with one snake, may represent the method of removing filarial parasites from the body by slowing winding them around a stick - very painful i am told...) the entire field of "chakra work" here in the West is dominated by this kind of misappropriation and misconception we are told by the tantric texts that the activation of the chakras are life-expanding events, where the nature of consciousness is changed forever - the acquisition of siddhas (psychic powers) is only a small component in contrast, people that do chakra work "clear" the chakras, to remove "blockages" that can affect the body-mind i speculate that there is another secondary, "shadow" chakra system, the mundane octave to the esoteric chakras, and these may indeed be influenced by ida and pingala, but they have nothing at all to do with kundalini or the shushumna nadi sorry folks, nobody is going to get the moksha while lying on a massage table... anyway, my two cents... Caldecott todd > > The actual working mechanism of Acupuncture, Acupressure, Marma > therapy or Nadi therapy is not known. It is true that there are > several areas where the nerves and the autonomic system actually > cross, and yet there are several areas where they do not. It is a > matter of conjecture as to how the "blocks" in the nadi are relieved, > by change in the flow / direction of the autonomic system or blood Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ritesh0000 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 Respected Sir , I am an Ayurvedic Graduate. I want to ask that is there any book or literature from where I can get the knowledge of this "NADI VIGYAN, PRESSURE THERAPY AND NEUROTHERAPY" IF yes then from where and how can I purchase those books.. THANKING YOU REGARDS Ritesh Chawla Dear Vaidyas, I am an Ayurvedic practitioner that also specializes in "Nadi Vigyan" Pressure Therapy. However, there is very little documentation on this therapy. So this is a plea for references and your ideas on the mode of action of this therapy. 'Nadi Vigyan' Pressure Therapy is an ancient bodywork therapy that first hit the newspaper headlines in Britain and Canada a few years ago. This is an old forgotten therapy that some say originates from the Vedas, and this practice also has roots in Tibetan medicine. All disease is the result of blocks or congestion in the nadi system. Pressure Therapy is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy channels in the body. This is a rehabilitative bodywork therapy which works by stimulating the blood supply and nerve currents to the relevant organs via the nadis, so as to redress the normal physiological functioning of the appropriate gland or organ. 'PT' utilizes the technique of "Indirect Stimulation" i.e. pressure is applied on the arms and/or legs of the patient to stop the flow of blood to the specific region of the body for a particular duration (6 seconds) and then released, so that blood flows with a greater force to the correlated nerves /glands / organs. By applying mild pressure at specified points on the limbs for specific time periods, results in a "gain of function" for the relevant organ. Historically, in the remote villages of India it was commonplace to see the house nurse relieve ailments like stomach cramps by standing on the arms and legs of the patient. Pressure Therapy was traditionally carried in this manner, but in the west hands are used with equal effect, as this makes the patient feel more at ease. Pressure is adjusted according to the age, sex, and tolerance of the patient. Usually the patient usually experiences a pleasant sensation. The nadis are centered around the navel, therefore "Nabhi diagnosis", which has been passed down through the generations is the main diagnostic tool utilized in Nadi Vigyan/ Ayurveda Pressure Therapy. "Nabhi diagnosis" involves palpating the nabhi points for temperature variations, tension, pressure pain, reactive sensations, and tightness. These nabhi points are linked to the digestive organs. Ayurveda Pressure Therapy reaffirms that by treating the digestive system we address the root cause for most disease. Consequently advise on Ayurvedic regimen; diet, lifestyle, exercise, and meditation, are valuable adjuncts of the therapy. One Ayurvedic ailment, which is not recognized in allopathy is the "dislocation of the navel" which can lead severe ailments. Like many traditional Indian folk medicine systems initial 'PT procedure' involves setting the navel, so as to correct any misalignment. This is then followed by the focal point of Pressure Therapy, which is to stimulate the blood supply/ nerve currents/ prana/ chi in the relevant nadi of the hypo functioning organs e.g. Liver, Stomach, Pancreas etc. It was while practising the traditional Indian folk medicine system of setting the navel, that Dr Mehra correlated its function to the physiology of the human body. After many years of researching the correlation of this ancient bodywork therapy Dr Mehra and his team in Bombay have developed novel treatment protocols that have had outstanding results in the treatment of many serious health conditions. This therapy is called Neurotherapy in India. “Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy is often confused with Chavutti Thirumal. Chavutti Thirumal is a full body oil massage where the therapist uses their bare feet to to massage the body. A Chavutti Thirumal practitioner massages the whole body from head to toe often, using long, sweeping strokes that concentrate on the muscoskeletal system so promoting suppleness and flexibility. “Nadi Vigyan” Pressure Therapy differs as it concentrates on stimulating the prana in specific nadis related to the specific organs of the body. For example if the Liver is under functioning, then the therapist will stimulate the nadis linked to the Liver or if the patient has a Hypo Adrenal disorder, then we stimulate the nadis linked to the Adrenal gland etc. However the countings, pressure and technique of application are fundamental in this therapy. For this reason it is important that the therapist has a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology. “Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy/Ayurveda Pressure Therapy differs from Neurotherapy in that Ayurvedic herbs are also given to the patient. These herbs target the deficient dhatus and doshas. For example if we have a patient with Amenorrhoea, then we work on the nadis connected to the uterus and ovaries. Within minutes the tension in these reflex area i.e. uterus and ovaries will reduce. Several treatments usually around 3 to 6 weekly treatments are required. For chronic cases the use of Ashwagandha/ Shatavariare will also be prescribed. With other disease pathology we may additionally administer/advise Nasya, Shirodhara, Virechana, Yoga asanas, Pranayama etc. PROPOSED MODE OF ACTION ACCORDING TO MY FINDINGS It is the nadis that carry the energy or prana. This flow of prana represents the health of the human body. As long as they are not obstructed or caught up in weakness, the body remains energetic. The technique of working on the nadis does not only serve the purpose of drawing blood to the "hypo-functioning organ" but has a more complex mode of action. The real mechanism of action is the inter-connection between the organs, the parasympathetetic/sympathetic nervous system, spine and the chakra system. Ida, Pingala and Sushumna, which interweave, the crossing points being the sites of the charkas. Where these two cross they form the plexuses, or nodes, from which the nerves radiate out to, for example the heart, lungs, diaphragm, digestive system and endocrine organs. The flow of prana in the body works is said to alternate between the 3 most important nadis in the pranic body, ida, pingala and sushumna. Dr Mehra's treatment protocols for treating the relevant organs is to treat the opposite limb e.g. right kidney = left leg and left shoulder, right ovary = left forearm, gall = right thigh etc. So would this be an interaction of ida and pingala??? or with another nadi interaction e.g. Yashasvati on the leg . VAIDYAS I NEED YOUR HELP IN THE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS THERAPY WORKS. Is the Nadi theory correct? Is it the pressure applied on the nerve plexuses (hence the term Neurotherapy) on the legs and arms, which promotes pranic flow to the Nabhi chakra? Some say that it results in the activation of Brahma Randra via the sacral pump, but I do not understand the mechanism. A Tibetan doctor has also informed me that breathing was a very important component for a very similar Tibetan therapy. So how can I incorporate this into the therapy? Dr Mehra's team has had good results in treating MS, Parkinson's Disease, Paralysis, Palsy etc. So why what would make a therapy like this effective in neuromuscular disorders? In Germany I have had astounding success with treating Infertility using Pressure Therapy only. Also treating GI disorders is routinely successful, I presume as the Nabhi Chakra is effectively treated. The root cause of nearly all medical problems in this therapy is related to the malfunctioning digestive organs. So the route of treatment is first to correct the digestive system and then address the endocrine, skin, immune organs etc. I end this rather long email with thanks for your attention and the hope that you will be able to help this PT/Neurotherapy practitioner understand how this therapy operates and provide references that may be used in future publications. Many thanks Ray S Noronha Clinical Ayurveda Practitioner European Register of Herbal Practioners Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
