Can Sports Medicine Benefit from Ayurveda?
Sachin Tendulkar got operated again…..!!! Sania Mirza needs an operation….!!! Don’t worry these are old news. But it becomes important to think ‘Why?’ Sports personalities like them are just in their twenties and thirties! Why should a youth in this age group suffer from such problems? Such problems are seen usually in old age, isn’t it? The answer is ‘Yes’. But, unfortunately it is seen happening to youth involved in vigorous exercises and sports. Here, Ayurveda has an answer for the question and a solution for the problem. That is where Ayurveda has a role in ‘Sports Medicine’.
Even though, there is no direct reference regarding sports and related problems in Ayurvedic classics, they all come under the purview of ‘Vyayama’ (exercise). So, we can think in this line that excessive exercise, net practice, repeated and continuous games with strong fight between the competitors will result in both physical and mental stress. Also, there will be repeated movement of the body parts like joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. All these will result in vitiation and aggravation of ‘Vata’ (the air energy). This Vata is responsible for wear and tear of the parts involved and vice versa. Hence, the vicious cycle continues and one day the person will end up in the degenerative problems of the musculo-skeletal system.
What should be done to avoid this? Should we advise to stop sports?!! Not possible, isn’t it? Then, is there any solution for this? ‘Yes’. Of course, prevention is better than cure…! Ayurveda advises to perform ‘Abhyanga’ (oil massage/bath) everyday. Moreover, one should consume cow’s ghee and milk in our food everyday. That too, this regimen becomes more and more important as the amount of exercise and sports are increasing. Abhyanga, ghee and milk will pacify Vata, help in lubrication of the moving parts and hence, reduce the friction. Thus, they will prevent the wear and tear of these parts.
What if already there is some injury? Yes, Ayurveda can help to solve this problem too, if approached early. An expert in the field of Ayurveda will adopt different internal and external treatment methods along with certain oral medications to cure the problem. It may include ‘Panchakarma’ (group of five procedures for the detox/cleansing of the body) and/or other external procedures by using different varieties of medicated oil, ghee, decoctions etc. All these, when combined suitably by an expert and performed according to the classical principles, will heal the damage and will rejuvenate the body and mind.
Finally, practice of Yoga and meditation, when combined with the above said procedures, will definitely help to combat both the physical and mental stress and hence, will render a strong body with a strong mind. But, please seek an expert’s advice in person before adopting and practicing any procedure which is new to you.
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Its very good to read but very hard to practice !
'Abhyanga', is impossible for many people in this hectic life, don't u feel doctor? We hardly find half an hour for yoga and u know that there should be rest in between all these activities, like u can't have massage immediately after yoga or u can't immediately take bath after 'abhyanga'. So I think its good theoretically but hard to follow in real life.
And regarding your view that sports personalities can be benefited from ayurveda, I have one thing to say again, that as ayurveda is a slow process,these personalities have no other option, than to undergo operation, as their carrier demands it. If they follow ayurveda,everytime they have injury, half of their life will go in treatment and already sports is a very 'short term' carrier.
It is possible...!
It is all impossible when we don't know the value of health and prevention of disease. Just ask a sick person to choose spendiing time and money for health or for disease and hospitalisation, he/she will prefer the first one.
We need not avail long leave for health and fitness activities when we are healthy rather, we can spare 1/2 an hour to 1 hour to prevent the long leave by sickness. Just think of a situation where one has to take a month or more leave from work due to some surgery to severe illness. Is there any other option??? No ! Then why can't we find a little time for health promotion if we can save money and time which will be spent for sickness? When sports persons need to do rigorous exercise/practise for their career, why not health and fitness measures of Ayurveda also, to stay fit in the profession for long? When one can find time and spend it for career activities why not career prolonging activities?
Ayurveda is slow of course, just like the food we eat taking time to be digested and assimilated in the body. It doesn't mean that you have to go for intra-venous multivitamins or amino acids etc everyday for FAST action...!!! Nature has its own time for all changes. A quick change in the nature means a terrible storm, earthquake or flood etc. It's always better to be SAFE THAN TO BE FAST. Quick action is required by synthetic drugs only in emergencies. Moreover, the surgical procedure may be fast and lasting for just 1-4 hours etc but, the healing again is natural and slow....taking its own time...!!!
Dr Prasanna K.G., M.D (Ayurveda)