Why Ayurveda Emphasizes Personalized Health Plans
Have you ever left a doctor’s office or hospital feeling uncertain about your treatment? You might have felt rushed through the process without being able to share your concerns. You may have wondered if the doctor simply placed a bandage over your symptoms without addressing the cause. You might even have had a gut feeling that your diagnosis was incorrect or only a tiny piece of the puzzle.
If you’ve had these feelings before, you’re not alone. While contemporary Western medicine has its benefits, it can have a very impersonal feel. And if you’re concerned about your health condition, “impersonal” is the last way you’d want to describe your treatment plan.
Anyone desiring a more personalized approach to healthcare can find what they’re looking for in Ayurveda. Its ancient healing practices are perfectly suited for personalization, and individuals from all walks of life can find confidence in their Ayurvedic regimens.
Why Take a Personalized Approach?
There are accepted practices and treatments for nearly every illness, disease, or medical condition. The trouble comes when a patient’s medical plan doesn’t have the intended effect—their body might not respond well, or they might experience terrible side effects.
This often happens because doctors take a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment plans. This works for minor sicknesses like the common cold, but for chronic illnesses and life-altering diseases, using the same methods for everyone can be disappointing and ineffective.
Additionally, the “cure” many doctors use is to prescribe medication that merely masks the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying problems. There is no in-depth examination of the patient, and the patient’s concerns are often waved away or covered with another prescription.
In contrast, Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to the human body. Ayurvedic healers recognize that everything in the body is connected, and many illnesses and complaints require an examination of the patient’s mental health and lifestyle in addition to a full-body study.
For example, if a patient comes to a doctor seeking help for anxiety and insomnia, they may be given a prescription for anxiety and another for sleeping. This approach isn’t necessarily wrong, as many patients get relief from their prescriptions.
However, if the same patient were to visit an Ayurvedic Vaidya, the approach would be very different. An Ayurvedic practitioner might examine everything from the patient’s sleeping habits and life stressors to their diet and exercise regimen. They might also recommend a specialized diet and a variety of Ayurvedic herbal supplements to naturally relieve anxiety and promote restful sleep. This regimen is more natural and does not induce the adverse side effects that often come with synthetic prescriptions.
Ayurvedic healers take the same holistic, individualized approach to all patients. Ayurveda recognizes the role that medical history, lifestyle, environment, and other personal factors play in overall health. Taking this holistic perspective can be much more effective in helping to promote health and manage chronic issues.
How Does Ayurveda Embrace Personalization?
Ayurveda is based on ancient Sanskrit texts, one of which is known as the Charaka Samhita. A verse in this text outlines the importance of Ayurvedic healers giving every patient a thorough examination, factoring in the patient’s individual considerations like their doshas (energy sources), Prakriti (constitution), and dushya (body tissues affected by disease).
Ayurvedic practitioners also examine other potential disease indicators, including their pulse, urine, tongue, voice, eyes, stature, and more. Ayurveda teaches that a complete and thorough examination of the patient’s body is all that’s needed for a diagnosis, rather than lab tests or expensive images.
When Ayurvedic experts analyze a patient, they consider all these factors and many more. Essentially, the goal is not to attack the disease inside the body but to strengthen the body from the inside out so it can withstand illness, fight disease, and help manage chronic symptoms.
The Benefits of Ayurvedic Personalization
Many people prefer the personalized approach of Ayurvedic medicine because of the host of incredible benefits it provides.
Ayurvedic Vaidyas use a holistic process in analyzing every patient. Whether in person or online, Ayurvedic consultations allow the Vaidyas to develop equally comprehensive treatment plans that address the root of every issue. These plans are also highly customized to help manage every symptom instead of masking them.
Ayurveda also teaches the importance of prioritizing mental health—something that is often forgotten in Western medicine (or “fixed” with a prescription). Many patients dealing with chronic illnesses or severe diseases suffer from mental and emotional problems like anxiety and depression. These patients often get caught in a vicious cycle: their poor physical health takes a toll on their mental health, which lowers their motivation, energy, and optimism to manage their physical symptoms.
In contrast, Ayurveda emphasizes a balance in all things. A person cannot improve their mental health until their physical health is addressed, and vice versa. Ayurveda promotes calmness and balance through methods like meditation, yoga, herbal supplements, and diet improvements. These methods help patients manage their mental health naturally and give them confidence to work on their physical health.
Ayurveda: A Respite from Generic Treatments
Many clients spend years seeking relief from their issues by seeing doctor after doctor and taking prescription after prescription. They may become disenchanted with the generic, impersonal treatments they receive and feel that they’ll never find improvement.
Ayurveda’s holistic, personalized, and balanced approach can be a breath of fresh air for people suffering from poor health, whether mental or physical. Ayurvedic healers address everything that can affect a person’s health and develop a customized treatment plan that’s specific to each individual.
By booking an online Ayurveda consultation, many people find peace, comfort, and a path to helping them manage their symptoms and restore their health.
Infographic
Contemporary Western medicine offers advantages but can often feel impersonal. If you're seeking a more personalized healthcare approach, Ayurveda provides a great alternative. Check out the infographic to learn more.
