There are three ayurvedic clinics in the tiny district of Bhagsu that offer pancha karma. I’ve recently met a few patients of the Asho clinic presently receiving treatment. One of them revealed that she feels it is very aggressive, that there is no sense of sympathy from the doctor for how exhausted she feels. She is being given a second dose of the diarrhea medication because the doctor of the clinic does not feel that eleven bowel movements was significant enough. She’s understandably, not happy about that, and at this point just hoping that she will come out on the other side of it feeling renewed and whole.
I also had a chat with a patient I had met at Siby’s who had seven days of basti treatment, followed by the therapeutic diarrhea medication. She said the cramping pain she experienced, that began as soon as she took the medication, was unbearable, and that she’ll never do it again. She looked as exhausted as she said she felt.
Friends have been curious to know how I am feeling post-pancha karma. If I notice any improvements in my health. I think I am still in the convalescence period; I’m tired, though my level of energy is quite high in comparison to what is was during treatment. My digestive/eliminative system was sluggish the first few days, though Siby informed me that was normal. I took a dose of the ayurvedic formula triphala the third night, a combination of three fruits that have a cleansing action. It is said to scrape ama (toxins) from the body. It seemed to help.
Thus far, I’ve noticed one thing. I’ve been able to stand in the sun without my eyes burning, indicative that the treatment benefited liver function, since the health of the eyes is related to the health of the liver. Other then that, nothing extraordinary, yet.
Undergoing a pancha karma program requires fortitude. While nine days felt the most I could endure, it is not enough time to address chronic health issues. Per Ayurveda recommendations, seasonal cleansings are ideal. And fasting one day per week.
Regarding my review on the administration of the treatment.
One essential ingredient in any healing program is the amount of heart the staff puts into their work. The heart of Siby’s staff is sincere and caring. From the beginning to the end. But there were times in betwixt the start and finish when their inconsistency weakened their proficiency.
With the massages, maximum benefit is offered when there are two practitioners, each working on one side of the body, both in synchronistic rhythm. However, during the massages I received the synchronicity was often missing. Some of the movements were sloppy, careless. Yet – from my personal knowledge of pancha karma – I think the therapists have been well trained. The problem seemed to be fatigue. Usha had been suffering from health problems during the duration of my treatment. And when the roster is full, patients are scheduled on the hour, with no reprieve between treatments. Some of the massages are rigorous, requiring a good deal of strength and energy. With no time to rest between sessions, there is no time for them to catch their breath. The rhythm gets scattered.
While finishing my final meal at the clinic, my program complete, I was asked by two female patients if I was happy with the treatment. They told me they were not feeling satisfied with the massage because the therapists’ movements were not harmonized. Siby walked in on our conversation and was apprised of the matter. He said he would speak with them, and I heard that the next day, the massages were much improved.
Another concern, for me, is the issue of hygiene. When I brought it to Siby’s attention that I thought some of the pancha karma materials may be used on more than one patient, he said it was not true, that it was not possible. It seemed he was not open to feedback of this nature though he did ask one of the therapists about it, who explained it away. The following day, I noticed some changes.
While the table cloth is renewed between patients, the same one remains in the steam box and there isn’t one on the chair patients sit naked on during the head massage. Though commonplace in India, this level of sanitation is difficult to our western sensitivities.
And finally, it would have been helpful if written information was given prior to treatment. What to expect. What is considered normal, possible problems. Though the doctor was always available to answer questions or concerns, daily doctor-patient interaction was missing. For me, it would offered reassurance, an important element when undergoing treatment, especially when it’s a new, rather intensive experience, like pancha karma.
