“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” as the old saying goes, and nowhere is this more true than with illness. The whole system of Ayurvedic treatment is based not simply on fixing a health problem, but on healing the whole body so as to prevent any recurrence. Great emphasis is placed on balancing the immune system as any weakness in this system will create a predisposition to virtually any illness, whilst if it is overactive or misdirected this can lead to a whole range of inflammatory conditions.

One example of such a condition is Pemphigus – an autoimmune disorder which causes blistering in the deeper layers of the skin or in the mucous membranes. It can be life-threatening but conventional medical testing has no means of predicting its onset. Chronic disease does not appear overnight but generally takes years to develop, yet mainstream diagnostic methods tend to focus on identifying and naming an illness after it has happened.  We are all familiar with the situation when a person is feeling permanently unwell and goes to the doctor to find out why, only to be told that there is nothing wrong. At a later, often much later stage they develop an illness which is then identified and given a name. Herein lies the difference when we look at the principles underlying Ayurvedic diagnosis and treatment.

Ayurvedic diagnosis is all about balance; it is a basic principle of Ayurveda that illness cannot develop when all the three doshas are in balance, and aggravation of any of the doshas gives a forewarning of problems to come. For example, it is known that a person with aggravated Kapha is likely to gain weight and become sluggish, or develop a respiratory disorder. Aggravated Pitta can lead to inflammatory conditions, indigestion and irritability. Excess Vata can result in constipation, dry skin and anxiety. In fact, all illnesses are preceded by doshic imbalances but Ayurvedic treatment does not advocate waiting until a serious health problem arises before taking appropriate action. On the contrary, it provides us with a set of tools with which we can effectively prevent imbalances from accumulating in the system, whether physical, chemical, mental or emotional. Ayurvedic treatment focuses strongly on dietary and lifestyle factors; for example, after a hard day’s work it will recommend yogic exercises and meditation to counterbalance stress. Such an approach can be seen as truly preventive.

I recall hearing a story about a man who went to the police to warn them that an acquaintance of his was planning to kill him. They dismissed his story, simply telling him that without hard evidence that they were unable to take any action. He knew within himself that he was right but powerless to influence the police he returned home and within a few days he was found murdered – a good example of the importance of acting before it is too late. Similarly, when your body is telling you that all is not well the chances are that your body knows more than your doctor.

A doshic assessment is your first step to prevention. If a problem exists Ayurvedic treatment sets out not only to fix the problem but to heal the entire system; Ayurvedic medicines are not designed to treat individual illnesses – they have the ability to work throughout the whole body.

If the idea of prevention sounds preferable to the prospect of future illness call us today to book your consultation at the Yatan Holistic Ayurvedic Centre on 1300 552 260.

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