The Swedna Therapy Natural Cure for Joint Pains

Author

Mrs. Deepa Rajesh M.Sc., M.Phil.
Managing Director Ayurananda Ayurvedic Centre
71/6, Auroville Kottamedu Road | Auroville post 605101 South India
Email: info @ ayurananda.org

About the author

Mrs. Deepa Rajesh was a lecturer in Engineering Physics and Bio Physics and did research in Thermal Conductivity in fast ion conducting glasses and published four international papers in journal of material science, journal of solid state physics. Later she turned to natural way of healing and trying to explain the physics behind it. Now she is running a Centre in South India near Auroville.

Abstract

A biophysical explanation for swedna therapy which is proved to be an efficient tool in healing joint pains. In the first part the author recollects the healing property of heat in the human body as a biophysicist and then correlates how heat is used in swedna therapy.

In the second part, she emphasizes the merits of swedna therapy as a naturopath.

Introduction

Healing property of heat

Two primary therapeutic effects take place in a heated area of the human body:

• There is an increase in metabolism resulting in a relaxation of the capillary system (Vasodilatation).
• There is an increase in blood flow, as blood moves to cool the heated area.

The relaxation and increased blood flow are beneficial to damaged tissues as follows:

• There is continous supply of protein and minerals, and effective removal of toxins from the heated area due to the increased blood flow.
• By applying heat, toxins are getting decomposed and transform to simpler forms which can be easiliy removed and eliminated from the body.
• The metabolic rate depends to a large extend on the temperature of the body because biochemical processes are highly temperature dependent and small change in temperature can produce a large change in the rate of chemical reaction.
• Combining all these processes, healing takes place and new fresh cells are covering the area.

Methods of heating

There are different ways to produce heat in the human body:

• Conductive heating
• Infra red (IR) radiant heating
• Radio wave heating (Diathermy)
• Ultrasonic Wave heating (Ultrasonic diathermy)

Conductive heating

Conductive heating is used in swedna therapy. The conductive method is based on the physical fact that, if two objects at different temperatures are placed in contact heat will transfer by conduction from the warmer object to the cooler one.

The total height will depend upon

• The area of contact
• The temperature between to objects
• The time of contact
• Thermal conductivity of the materials

Conductive heat transfer leads to local surface heating, since the circulating blood effectively removes heat that penetrates deep into the tissue.

Swedna Therapy

In Swedna Therapy fifty four herbs in a senitive proportion are mixed together and wrapped in a cloth forming herbal pudding as a small herbal bag and dipped in Ayurvedic medicines in the form of hot oils known as Thylam and applied in the affected area.

An experienced therapist should judge the depth of heat penetration by adjusting the hotness of the herbal pudding and time of contact.

Apart from this he is moving the herbal pudding in accordance with the blood flow and there by allowing an easy transport of toxins and exchange of minerals in the damaged area.

A trained swedna therapist is aware of the nature of damage like swollen veins, extended tendons, prolapsed disk, displaced vertebrae, inflamed joint, damaged synovial membrane, articular cartilage etc. and there by deciding the depth of penetration of heat and movement of the herbal pudding in accordance with it.

Heat promotes the absorption of herbal medicines present in the oil (Thylam) through the skin, the largest organ, and reach fast in the area of damage. These medicines play a vital role in a very natural way in the heating process.

In the case of skeleton deformities like dislocated joints or vertebrae, by the application of herbal pudding dipped in hot oil (Thylam) prepare the area more subtle and tender, so that the therapist can rearrange physically these deformities with the practice.

Natural healing

Moreover Swedna therapy is a traditional form of healing in which the diagnosis, treatment and cure is happening with human touch. This is done not by machines but the human themselves by directing his own energy in the correct way. Though heating is used in different medicinal disciplines, including allopathy, Ayurveda uses it in the very natural and simple way which is purely controlled by the therapist.

So, Swedna Therapy is proved to be an excellent tool in curing joint pains, arthritis spondilitis etc. This is a holistic way of healing which spreads the true harmony with nature as well as with fellow human beings.

Role of Life Style

Degenerative joint diseases like arthritis are arising mainly due to the life style of the people. These diseases have no age bar and preventive medicine. It's only our daily routine with proper exercise, diet, breathing, and mental health can help to prevent this. Managing arthritis includes along with swedna therapy some specially programmed exercises with limited movements which help to heal the damaged joint balanced diet with correct supply of vitamins, minerals and calcium etc. and keeping your body and mind healthy by doing some meditation and breathing exercises. In this time we should go back to our nature to be healthy and preventive from degenerative joint diseases.

Thou art thyself the author of thy pain
Sri Aurobindo