:: September/October 2003 Volume 2/Number 5

What to Expect
Your First Visit to an Ayurvedic Consultant

By Felicia M. Tomasko

You may have heard of Ayurveda, but have never been to see an Ayurvedic consultant. Now you've decided to try Ayurveda for something like that stomach pain that keeps recurring, no matter how many doctors and prescriptions you've tried. And you wonder what to expect, since you've heard it's unlike your usual routine medical visit.

You are not the only one unfamiliar with Ayurveda; its practice is still growing in the U.S. and there are many levels of practitioners. There are Western medical professionals who incorporate Ayurveda, Ayurvedic doctors trained in India and many Ayurvedic specialists who have studied in the U.S. You may or may not see a conventional doctor.

Time is one noticeable feature of an Ayurvedic consultation; an initial visit can last anywhere from ninety minutes to two hours. This may seem excessive-we are accustomed to appointments with scarcely enough time to relay concerns before receiving a prescription. But in Ayurveda, health is not merely temporarily alleviating symptoms today, which return with a vengeance tomorrow. Ayurvedic practitioners are more concerned with understanding trends in your life, identifying a condition's causal factors and then making lasting, life-changing recommendations than with rapidly announcing a diagnosis.

Time is not the only difference an Ayurvedic practitioner's office reveals an atmosphere unlike a typical doctor's office. It may smell of fragrant herbs rather than disinfectant. Instead of taking off your clothes and sitting on a cold, paper-covered table, you will begin, fully clothed, talking to an attentive listener.

These listeners utilize techniques involving vigilant use of the senses and careful questioning. Questioning, according to the Medical Ayurveda Rejuvenation Center in Newport Beach, CA, reveals information from your answers and from the sound of your voice.

This questioning may include seemingly insignificant or unimportant details. What tastes do you crave? When do you sleep and wake up? Do your joints crack or pop? Are your symptoms worse when it is hot or cold? Do you drink ice water? Do you watch TV with meals, or eat while driving? Many questions center on digestion-good digestion is crucial to maintaining health. Use of the senses includes scrutiny of your face, fingernails, posture, skin tone and tongue and often involves feeling your pulse. Through feeling the pulse, a skilled and intuitive reader can discern information about your history and present concerns ranging from whether you have cold hands and feet, cholesterol problems, trouble sleeping or vulnerability to stress. Pulse training varies among lineages so pulse reading varies among practitioners. Now for your prescription you've read that Ayurveda is not just a medical modality, but a lifestyle, consequently your prescription will involve many treatment methods. Herbs, massage, meditation, asana, pranayama, panchakarma (cleansing techniques), daily routine and lifestyle recommendations, suggestions for psychotherapy and referrals for surgery not only improve immediate concerns but allow us to achieve long-term health.
Dietary prescriptions may include food and mealtime recommendations including recipes or herbal teas with preparation directions. Asana and pranayama are utilized therapeutically, for general health and treating diseases and imbalances, both physical and psychological, so practice suggestions or instructions in specific techniques are often given. Herbal medicines have thousands of years of successful use - you may leave with a pre-prepared formulation or an herbal combination blended especially for you with specific instructions for their use.
Ayurvedic practitioners work with you to determine treatments you feel comfortable with, keeping in mind all aspects of your life. Through Ayurveda we can obtain not only physical, but emotional, psychological and spiritual health. Often that persistent stomach problem is linked to other facets of our life, and bringing everything into balance allows us to enjoy complete health.