Introduction:

Hydrotherapy of the colon, also known as colonic cleansing or irrigation, involves using water to flush waste out of the large intestine.

Uses and supposed benefits:

Weight loss

Some practitioners of hydrotherapy suggest that it can help people lose weight, but there is no evidence of this.  After undergoing the procedure, a person may find that they have lost a few pounds, but these results from losing water and fecal matter — a temporary condition.

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Some practitioners claim that colonic irrigation helps treat symptoms of Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS). Patients report an improvement in abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea.

It is important to highlight, however, that this study was very small and included no control group. The researchers acknowledge the need for further studies including placebos and larger studies that investigate the long-term effects, including those on the quality of life.

Detoxification

In the early 1900s, a theory that bacteria in the colon cause toxins to leak into the rest of the body gained popularity, but this theory has largely been debunked.   However, it remains a basis for the belief that colonic irrigation can help detoxify the body. In fact, the body has organs to serve this specific purpose — the liver and kidneys.

Cleansing before surgery

Adequate cleaning is important to ensure that diagnostic and surgical procedures involving the large intestine are reliable. The accuracy and safety of such procedures — such as colonoscopy — often depend on thorough cleansing of the colon. Hydrotherapy can serve this purpose.

However, there are other, safer ways to cleanse the colon, including dietary changes and the ingestion of prescribed solutions.

Procedure:

Colonic irrigation involves inserting the nozzle of a device into the rectum to send water into the colon.  A person can control the pressure and temperature of the water, and the entire procedure usually takes around 45 minutes.

Approximately 16 gallons of water pass through the bowel, and the fluid may contain herbal infusions or coffee. These supposedly offer additional benefits, though there is little, if any, evidence of this.

Risks and complications

Meanwhile, people who have undergone it have reported numerous negative effects.

Mild unwanted effects may include:

• stomach pain and cramping
• fullness and bloating
• diarrhea
• dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
• anal irritation and soreness

More severe complications of hydrotherapy of the colon can include:

• pancreatitis
• kidney failure
• heart failure

Some other adverse effects of colonic irrigation:

Dehydration

The procedure causes the body to lose water, which can be dangerous, as it may cause dehydration.

Infection

One risk is infection, either due to unsterile equipment or equipment that allows fecal matter to flow backward into the colon. Infection can also stem from the removal of healthful bacteria. Scientists have yet to fully explore the ways in which colonic irrigation may cause an imbalance in the microbial flora.

Perforated bowel

Forcing water into the colon can injure it — the pressure can damage the wall of the colon, causing it to tear. This issue, called a perforated bowel, is a medical emergency.

Symptoms may begin with fever, pain, chills, and nausea. The body may then develop sepsis, an extreme response to an infection that can be fatal.

Conclusion:

There are many claims about the possible benefits of colonic irrigation, but these are not validated by clinical trials or by other scientific evidence.

Due to the risks, some of which are very severe, and the lack of benefits, most health professionals do not recommend hydrotherapy of the colon.

Introduction:

Aversion therapy is a type of behavioral therapy that involves repeat pairing an unwanted behavior with pain or distress. For example, a person undergoing aversion therapy to stop smoking might receive an electrical shock every time they view an image of a cigarette. The goal of the conditioning process is to make the individual correlate the stimulus with unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations.

During aversion therapy, the client may be asked to think of or engage in the behavior they enjoy while at the same time being exposed to something unpleasant such as a bad taste, a foul smell, or even mild electric shocks. Once the unpleasant feelings become associated with the behavior, the hope is that unwanted behaviors or actions will begin to decrease in frequency or stop entirely.

Uses:

Aversion therapy can be used to treat a number of problematic behaviors including the following:

• Bad habits
• Addictions
• Alcoholism
• Smoking
• Gambling
• Violence or anger issues.

Methods used in Aversion therapy:

The exact way aversion therapy is performed depends on the undesirable behavior or habit that’s being treated. One commonly used aversive therapy is chemical aversion for alcohol use disorder. The goal is to reduce a person’s craving for alcohol with chemically-induced nausea.

In chemical aversion, a doctor administers a drug that causes nausea or vomiting if the person being treated drinks alcohol. They then give them alcohol so that the person gets sick. This is repeated until the person begins to associate drinking alcohol with feeling ill and thus no longer craves alcohol.

Other methods that have been used for aversion therapy include:

• electrical shock
• another type of physical shock, like from a rubber band snapping
• an unpleasant smell or taste
• negative imagery (sometimes through visualization)
• shame

Efficacy of Aversion therapy:

The overall effectiveness of aversion therapy depends upon a number of factors including:

• The treatment methods and aversive conditions that are used.
• Whether or not the client continues to practice relapse prevention after treatment is concluded.
• In some instances, the client may return to previous patterns of behavior once they are out of treatment and no longer exposed to the deterrent.

Generally, aversion therapy tends to be successful while it is still under the direction of a therapist, but relapse rates are high.  Once the individual is out in the real world and exposed to the stimulus without the presence of the aversive sensation, it is highly likely that they will return to the earlier behavior pattern.

Conclusion:

Aversion therapy has also been criticized for the use of unpleasant stimuli in the course of aversion treatment. Some argue that this practice isn’t just unethical, but downright cruel and can be traumatic as well.

There is also a lack of thorough research material that supports the effectiveness of aversion therapy. A lot of the research that has been done over the years shows mixed results compared to other types of therapy, and it’s simply not enough to deter valid criticism about how successful it is.

Despite the valid points made by aversion therapy critics, it is still widely used to correct several types of unwanted habits, and is used especially for addiction treatment.

Introduction:

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle technique that uses a light touch to observe membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system. Relieving tension in the central nervous system promotes a sensation of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity.

Craniosacral Therapy, or CST as it is generally called, has its roots back in the nineteenth century. It originated in Andrew Taylor Still’s system of osteopathic medicine; it owes much to successive pioneers of technique, such as William G. Sutherland who extended Stills system into cranial osteopathy.

The focus of CST is a gentle placement of hands to assist release of the body’s connective tissue, or “fascia.” Fascia (Latin word for “band”) is a covering found throughout the body including organs, glands, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, brain and spinal cord. This covering forms a body-wide connective network. CST is based on the idea that the body is interrelated at all levels.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) helps in:

• Chronic pain.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Migraine headache.
• Complex regional pain syndrome.
• Fascial adhesions.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Neuralgia.
• Neurodegenerative diseases.
• Temporo-mandibular joint syndrome.
• Stroke.
• Post-concussion syndrome.
• Speech impairment.
• Epilepsy.

Can craniosacral therapy be useful for everybody?

CST can benefit almost everyone. With a few conditions, however, craniosacral therapy may not be appropriate and you’ll need to talk with your CST practitioner and physician.

Care has to be exercised and CST has to be differed in patients with:

• Recent concussion.
• Cerebral swelling.
• Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation.
• Brain aneurysm.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Blood clots.
• Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow or build-up.

Conclusion:

There’s plenty of sketchy evidence that CST is an effective treatment, but more research is needed to scientifically determine this. There’s evidence that it can relieve stress and tension, though some research suggests that it may only be effective for infants, toddlers, and children.

Introduction:

Coining or Gua sha is a technique used in traditional East Asian medicine. It is often used to treat muscle pain and tension, but there has been limited study into how well it works. Gua sha aims to move energy, known as qi or chi, around the body. The treatment involves using a tool to rub the skin in long strokes, applying enough pressure to create minor bruising.

In Gua sha a tool is used to apply pressure and scrape the skin to relieve pain and tension. This action causes light bruising, which often appears as purple or red spots known as petechiae or sha.

Uses:

Gua sha is most often used to relieve muscle and joint pain. Conditions of the muscles and bones are known as musculoskeletal disorders. Some examples of these include back pain, tendon strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.  Practitioners claim that gua sha can also benefit the immune system and modify the adverse inflammatory reactions in the body. . Sometimes, gua sha is used to treat a cold, fevers, or problems with the lungs.

Benefits:

• women near menopause with perimenopausal symptoms
• people with neck and shoulder pain from computer use
• male weightlifters, to help with recovery after training
• older adults with back pain

Side effects:

Gua sha is not suitable for everybody. People who should not have gua sha include those:

• who have medical conditions affecting the skin or veins
• who bleed easily
• who take medication to thin their blood
• who have deep vein thrombosis
• who have an infection, tumors, or wound that has not healed fully
• who have an implant, such as a pacemaker or internal defibrillator

Is Gua sha painful?

Treatment is not supposed to be painful, but gua sha deliberately causes bruising, which may cause discomfort for some people. These bruises should heal within a few days.

Conclusion:

Gua sha is used to treat a range of illnesses and disorders, but research has only been carried out on a small number of specific medical conditions. More evidence is needed to confirm whether gua sha is an effective treatment. Gua sha is unlikely to have any serious side effects, but it can be painful for some people. A person who plans to have gua sha should make sure that they go to an experienced practitioner.

After the devastating second wave that hit us, I am often asked this question by many of my friends, relatives and patients. Will there be a third wave? As the number of cases has significantly reduced, I am sure we all are wondering whether we are at the fag end of the Covid pandemic or still we are going to be attacked by one more tsunami of this dreaded disease.

If we go by the experience of second wave of COVID in India as it occurred in March to June 2021, I can surely say that if third wave has to come will not come on its own but we, the people of India, will generate it and make it bigger & deadlier by our incorrect behavior.

International scientific community has beyond doubt accepted that the best solution to control the pandemic is to follow ‘COVID APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR’. Vaccination is only next best to it. People even after full vaccination, have suffered from Covid if they continue to meet people without maintaining proper distance especially in closed places, attend parties without wearing masks, eat or drink together etc.

If we want our children to soon attend schools, colleges, the adults in our society must behave more & more responsibly. If anyone has any of the following symptoms like cough, cold, sore throat, body pain, nausea, loose motions, fever, loss of smell or taste, he or she must isolate oneself immediately and not attend offices etc. at least for one week. To avoid stepping out of house, one should get treated by a doctor through tele-consultation. If due to space constraints home isolation is not possible one should get admitted to COVID CARE CENTER. Do not wait for covid RT PCR report to come positive, to consider you as a possible threat to others as this report can come falsely negative in about 30 to 40 percent cases.

Wearing mask properly covering nose & mouth all the time when we are moving in community is the most useful intervention proven till now. If you find difficult to wear mask for long time do breathing practices like Pranayam at home. This definitely improves your tolerance to wear mask.

Covid vaccination is very safe and its side effects are only temporary. There is no need to be worried even if you are suffering from any disease or taking any medicines. So please take it as soon as possible.

Discipline, however troublesome it may sound, is the only way to success. Without community participation and self motivation, no government can win this battle against COVID. So we all citizens of India must make a pledge to avoid arranging & attending not so necessary gatherings like marriage parties, birthday functions, funeral processions etc. for at next 6 months to come.

Scientific research is endorsing benefit of a medicine called Ivermectin (a well established deworming drug) for treatment and prevention of covid. Large scale community dosing with such a medicine should be seriously considered as a ‘surgical attack’ on COVID. People on individual basis also can take it under the guidance of their doctors.

UNITED WE STAND…. JAI HIND.

Dr. Pushkar A. Shikarkhane

MD, DNB (Med)

Consulting Physician

Dr. Pushkar. A. Shikarkhane is a genius who wears many hats. He is a brilliant Internal Medicine specialist, who visits a number of leading hospitals in the city of Mumbai. He has been a front-line warrior in the Covid fight.

Introduction:

Chakra Balancing is a form of energy healing that focuses on channeling energy into the seven chakras. When we talk about treating chakras we are referring to treating your energetic body. The body is not only made up of the physical body, we have an energy that extends beyond our physical wellbeing.

The seven Chakras and problems that manifest if they are imbalanced:

1. Root Chakra –This Chakra is located at the base and it sits on your spine or tailbone. Physical imbalances become evident as problems in the legs, rectum, tailbone, immune system, male reproductive parts and prostate gland.   Emotional imbalances manifest themselves as feelings affecting the basic survival needs; money, shelter, food and the ability to provide life’s necessities.

2. Sacral Chakra–  It is located two inches below the navel
Physical imbalances manifest themselves as sexual and reproductive issues, urinary problems, kidney infections, hip pelvic and lower back pain.  Emotional imbalances manifest themselves as fear of commitment to relationships, expressing emotions, fears of impotence, betrayal and addictions.

3. Solar Plexus Chakra – It is located about three inches above the navel
Physical imbalances manifest themselves as digestive problems, liver dysfunction, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, stomach ulcers and colon issues.
Emotional imbalances manifest themselves as issues of personal power and self-esteem.

4. Heart Chakra – Located in the center of the chest at the level of the heart
Physical imbalances manifest themselves as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, issues with breasts, lymphatic systems and upper back and shoulder problems.
Emotional imbalances manifest themselves as jealousy, abandonment, anger, bitterness and fear of loneliness.

5. Throat Chakra –it is located at the throatPhysical imbalances manifest themselves as thyroid issues, sore throats, laryngitis, ear infections, neck and shoulder pain. Emotional imbalances manifest themselves as fear of communication, will-power and being out of control.

6. Third Eye Chakra – It is located in the middle of the eyebrowsPhysical imbalances manifest themselves as headaches, blurred vision, sinus issues, seizures, hearing loss and hormonal imbalance. Emotional imbalances manifest themselves as moodiness, volatility and self-reflection.

7. Crown Chakra – It is located at the top of the head
Physical imbalances manifest themselves as depression, inability to learn, sensitivity to light, sound and the environment.
Emotional imbalances manifest themselves as confusion, prejudice and self-doubt.

These chakras bring in and give out energy which flows in our day to day lives. Each chakra relates to a different part of our life and being. If the Chakras get blocked the energy can stop flowing freely and they can become imbalanced. These blockages can manifest in many ways. For example, the throat chakra is strongly linked to communication, if you are in a relationship where you are not able to say how you truly feel you may lose your voice physically.

Aims of Chakra balancing:

The treatment aims to identify any possible blockages in the guest using crystals, essential oil blends, massage and energetic techniques. The aim is to release any chakra blockages and promote a free flow of energy to restore balance and a sense of wellbeing. By balancing your Chakras you may be able to:

1. Stay calm within your everyday life
2. See challenges for what they are, and not be as affected by them.
3. Overcome past life experiences which could have left their mark on you.
4. Help others without their troubles affecting you.
5. Develop confidence, energy, freedom and contentment to feel good about yourself and life every day

Conclusion:

Chakra healing is an exceptional way to balance your chakras and find balance within your body and mind.

• Enhanced overall health and well being.
• Greater and faster ability to heal your mental, physical, spiritual and emotional issues.
• Increased sincerity, memory, concentration and awareness.
• Positive outlook in terms of understanding, perception of behaviors and thought process.
• Heightened creativity and better originality because of better perception.
• Sense of self-worth, self-esteem and self- confidence.
• Improved and deeper sleep, better control over your emotions and improved patience.

Introduction:

Cupping therapy is a very old form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including helping with pain, inflammation, to increase blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

Cupping is also called as Hijama in Arabic, is an ancient, holistic method for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Though the exact origin of cupping therapy is a matter of debate, its use has been acknowledged in early Egyptian and Chinese medical practices. Diverse human civilizations have contributed to the historical development and continuation of cupping therapy.

Types of cupping:

There are different methods of cupping, including:

• Dry
• Wet.

The method:

During both types of cupping, your therapist will put a flammable substance such as alcohol, herbs, or paper in a cup and set it on fire. As the fire goes out, they put the cup upside down on your skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes your skin to rise and redden as your blood vessels expand. The cup is generally left in place for up to 3 minutes.

A more modern version of cupping uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Sometimes therapists use silicone cups, which they can move from place to place on your skin for a massage-like effect.

Wet cupping is a variation of the procedure where prior to the cup being placed, your skin is punctured and blood is drawn out in the suction process.

Wet cupping creates a mild suction by leaving a cup in place for about 3 minutes. The therapist then removes the cup and uses a small scalpel to make light, tiny cuts on your skin. Next, they do a second suction to draw out a small quantity of blood…

Cupping is useful in many diseases:

• Herpes Zoster
• Acne
• Facial paralysis
• Cervical spondylosis
• Blood disorders such as anemia
• Rheumatic diseases, arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Fertility and  gynecological disorders
• Skin problems, such as eczema and acne.
• High Blood pressure
• Migraines
• Anxiety and depression
• Bronchial congestion caused by allergies and asthma
• Varicose veins

Side Effects

Cupping is fairly safe, as long as you go to a trained health professional. But you could have these side effects in the area where the cups touch your skin:

• Mild discomfort
• Burns
• Bruises
• Skin infection

Conclusion:

It is an interesting mode of therapy but it is always better to talk with your doctor before you start cupping or any other type of alternative or complementary medicine. It is also better to talk extensively with your cupping therapist, too, before you try it.

Introduction:

Ho’oponopono is an ancient Hawaiian method of stress reduction, conflict resolution and energy clearing from people and places. Ho’oponopono provides a profound method of healing that promotes the Universal Law of the Interconnection of Life. It is a powerful method that can meet the stressful challenges of our times.

Effectively, it means to make it right with the ancestors, or your family, friends or anyone or anything with whom or which you have a relationship. This can include the animal, vegetable or mineral kingdoms and indeed our planet. Originally Ho’oponopono was used to correct the wrongs that had occurred.

Dr. Hew Len:

Dr. Hew Len demonstrated the healing technique from 1984 till 1987 he worked as a staff psychologist for Hawaii State Hospital overseeing high security unit housing male criminally insane patients.

You are 100% responsible for everything. Everything and everywhere! And it means not only your personal screw-ups and your personal successes. If means if someone somewhere did something and you became aware of that – you are 100% responsible for that…

The Ho’oponopono Process:

Apparently Ho’oponopono process is very simple. Actual Ho’oponopono cleaning process consists of repetitions of the following phrases:
• I Love You
• Please forgive me
• I am sorry
• Thank you
these phrases repeated will ignite the self-transformation process for the practitioner. This is exactly what Dr. Hew Len did to invite divine transformation powers for his surrounding during his work at Hawaiian mental hospital.

Benefits of practicing Ho’oponopono:

1. Practicing this ritual allows you to let go of negative emotions particularly anger and resentment.
2. It is a great way to improve our relationships. Or let go of situations, past issues and ‘wrongs’.
3. By letting go of these negative emotions that only cause us pain we can truly heal and be happy.

Conclusion:

The Hawaiian word ho’oponopono comes from ho’o (“to make”) and pono (“right”). The repetition of the word pono means “doubly right” or being right with both self and others. In a nutshell, ho’oponopono is a process by which we can forgive others to whom we are connected.

Introduction:

Cinema therapy is a form of expressive therapy, much like art or music therapy. In cinema therapy, a client will watch a movie that depicts a similar conflict to the one experienced by the client. Your therapist will “prescribe” a film for you to actively view and then you will discuss this during a session.  Simply defined, cinema therapy is an expressive, sensory-based therapy that uses movies, TV show episodes, videos and animation as therapeutic tools for growth and healing.

Goals of Cinema therapy:

• Gaining perception: sometimes, seeing things from a different point of view gives us a fresh perspective on our problems or issues. We might discover new ways of dealing with issues after watching a character deal with similar problems!
• Understanding consequences: movies can show us some of the potential consequences of a variety of activities or behaviors.
• Emotional intelligence: actors and actresses are professionals at expressing human emotion. Watching movies can help us observe and learn appropriate ways to express ourselves to others.
• Developing empathy: you might emotionally connect to some of the characters on screen, which will help you to build empathy for others.
• Diversionary activity: sometimes, engaging in the arts or watching films give us something new to focus on, and novel experiences can be therapeutic in and of themselves. Movies offer many types of sensory stimulation, like auditory and visual sensations.
• Pure enjoyment: you might enjoy movies and this can be a coping mechanism to help you get into a more positive frame of mind!

Conclusion:

The use of film as a form of therapy has shown to be very helpful for a variety of people,
including those who are suffering from mental health conditions as well as those who
are facing a specific life issue. Because of the versatility behind cinema therapy, it can be used in a formal setting, such as the office of the therapist or psychologist or even in a person’s own home.

Introduction:

Bios means life and Danza in Spanish means dance.  Biodanza plainly means “the dance of life”. It is a system of self improvement utilizing music, movement and positive feelings to deepen the awareness of the self… It seeks to promote the capability to make a holistic link to oneself and one’s emotions and to express them. Practitioners believe that Biodanza opens the space for one to make deeper the bonds with others and nature and to express those feelings in a congenial manner.

Uses of Biodanza therapy:

Almost all Biodanza exercises are designed to create a healthy response or release within the internal organs – known as a state of cenesthetic awareness. This is where you can feel your internal organs are functioning in a healthy way. It is also useful in managing several common disorders such as:

Stress management

High blood pressure
Heart disease
Diabetes
Weight gain
Weakening of the immune system
Depression

Conclusion:

Music, dance and self-expression with others are therapeutic processes that have almost magical properties. The Biodanza program is an effective stress management strategy… The results of this study showed Biodanza to have a positive effect on perceived stress and depression in young adults. This demonstrates how artistic, collaborative, and psychophysical interventions are an effective means of preventing and managing these problems