Guest guest Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 Friends I have a client who is undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments for Non-Hodgekins lymphoma. Specifically she had a large tumer in her chest (which seems to be responding well, by the way and has about disappeared after 2 months) I am confident, as is her doctor, about performing Abhyangha. She has requested also a shirodhara treatment, for which I am wondering if is appropriate.. She is detoxing her body consciously while undergoing these sessions..with pure diet and some herbs she is being advised on. Any suggestions? Peace Lara Narayani Asheville NC www.Blissuflrituals.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Dear Lara It will be against professional ethics to comments on treatment suggested by any other Vaidya. If you do not believe the advice given by your Vaidya then it is better to discuss with him and if you are not convince after that you can change your Physician. Vaidya Upadhye http://www.astroayurvedalogy.com http://www.astrotreat.blogspot.com _______________ I have a client who is undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments for Non-Hodgekins lymphoma........ She has requested also a shirodhara treatment, for which I am wondering if is appropriate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Dear Vaidya Upadhya and GROUP I am a professional massage therapist practicing in a town where there are no Vaidyas. I do not prescribe herbs or facilitate Pancha Karma. I offer Shirodhara, Massage and body wraps plus ayur facials plus offer some lifestyle education and yoga for my cleints. That is why I asked for advice here Any suggestions welcome Blessings Lara Narayani www.Blissfulrituals.com Asheville NC _____________________ It will be against professional ethics to comments on treatment suggested by any other Vaidya. If you do not believe the advice given by your Vaidya then it is better to discuss with him and if you are not convince after that you can change your Physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2008 Report Share Posted February 4, 2008 Hi Lara, I have found giving Shirodhara to someone with similar cancer helps then to relax. One of the issues with cancer and chemo is the anxiety that the client goes through, which of course increases Vata. While Ayurveda may not have great solutions for the cancer itself, shirodhara is effective if given regularly during and after chemo. Regards John ____________________ have a client who is undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments for Non-Hodgekins lymphoma. I am confident, as is her doctor, about performing Abhyangha. She has requested also a shirodhara treatment, for which I am wondering if is appropriate.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Dear JOhn thanks for sharing your experience! I feel better. Namaste L Narayani __________ I have found giving Shirodhara to someone with similar cancer helps then to relax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2008 Report Share Posted February 5, 2008 Dear Lara I am sorry I have completely misread your text. For the Cancer performing Vata treatment in any suitable form is beneficial. If possible then for the application Oil should be manufactured according to disease, dosha, dushya etc. Dr Upadhye http://www.astroayurvedalogy.com http://www.astrotreat.blogspot.com ____________________________- I am a professional massage therapist practicing in a town where there are no Vaidyas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 To, Lara Narayani There are many factors which determine whether a patient is suitable for shirodhara. As far as Non-Hodgekins lymphoma is concerned there is no specific indication for shirodhara. However there are 2 aspects to shirodhara. One is ofcourse the curative one where shirodhara is used as a mode of treatment. This one is ruled out in case of your patient. The other one is preventive or palliative in which shirodhara is used to relive mental stress. It must be remembered here that preventive or palliative shirodhara must always be done with oil (more specifically with oils which are medicated with herbs having properties which nourish the brain). In such cases shirodhara becomes a part of snehan mode of treatment. (By itself shirodhara means pouring any liquid substance over the forehead, not neccesarily oil.) Snehan means to oleate or to introduce oleating substances in the body. There are 24 methods (pra-vicharana) mentioned by which snehan can be done. The method in which oleation is done by gently rubbing (or massaging) is called as abhyanga. Abhyanga when specifically done for the head region is called as shiro-abhyanga. There are 4 methods of Shiro-abhyanga. 1) Shiro-mashtiskhya - this is simply massaging the scalp with oil (here you can use any oleating substance but in majority of cases it is oil) 2)Shiro-pichu - this is where a small cloth (or napkin) is dipped in oil and placed over the skull. 3) Shiro-dhara - the most famous procedure which needs no explanation. This is when oil is poured in a rythmic fashion over the forehead. 4) Shiro-basti - In this a well like structure is created over the skull and the skull is kept completely immersed in oil for 10-30 minutes. For palliative purpose the best methods are 1 and 2. 3 & 4 are to be used with due care. Hence if you are not sure if shirodhara is right for your client you can try method 1 or 2 and get almost the same results. This will also help you to decide whether 3 will be beneficial or not. Vd. Selex M. Shirodkar. M.D. (Ayu.) http://www.geocities.com/selexms/ ______________ She has requested also a shirodhara treatment, for which I am wondering if is appropriate....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2008 Report Share Posted February 8, 2008 Hi Lara, I have given shirodhara to a patient with advanced metastatic melanoma, several masses in the lungs and throat, and 6 brain tumours. He found the therapies very helpful in calming his anxiety, and even had relief from a mass that was causing pain in his right eye. This was a patient whom, according to the ancient texts, I should have rejected - and I know of ayurvedic practitioners who have sent people away because they were " too sick " . I feel a deep relaxation therapy such as shirodhara can do a lot to improve a cancer patient's quality of life, and improve their immune system and recovery. Do what you feel is right, and be sensitive to your patient's responses. Best wishes, Gerald Lopez Ayurveda & Yoga consultant Auckland, New Zealand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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