The Procedures for Diagnosis and Treatment

Prana Therapy - 4

The patient is made to lie down flat on the stomach on a soft mattress with a pillow below the chest to prevent any pressure on the chin and face. The patient is asked to rest comfortably with hands stretched comfortably, on either side of the body. The therapist uses the index and middle fingers (Tarjani and Madhyama) of the right hand to feel the abnormalities in the spinal cord of the patient. Placing these two fingers on either side of the vertebral column, the therapist first feels the raised part of the vertebra below the neck; then slowly slides the fingers down the spinal column, carefully examining the parts for the vertebra for any (1) stiffness, (2) clot, (3) torsion in the nerves. The locations indicating any of these three symptoms are demarcated by different-colored markers. For instance, for stiffness: white, for clots: purple and for torsion: yellow mark may be made. There are no specifications for the code of colors. If the therapist can remember these sites, there is no need to use markers.

Besides the above three symptoms two more factors are required to be noted. Parts of vertebra showing any abnormal warmth or coldness are recorded. For this purpose, the therapist upturns his/her palm and feels the temperature of parts of vertebra with the back of the four fingers. Joined together, the upturned forefingers are moved diagonally, at right angle, all over the vertebra from beginning to end as though the vertebral column is a knife’s edge cutting across all four fingers simultaneously. Sensory tissues of back of fingers of many people are not sufficiently sensitive to record subtle difference in temperatures. Such individuals may use the back of palm for this purpose. Normally there is a uniformity of temperature all over the vertebral column. Abnormalities in temperature are to be carefully recoded in this manner.

Thus the therapist records the abovementioned five root symptoms of the disease. It is irrelevant to investigate whether the stiffness, clots, distortions, warmth or coldness in parts of the vertebra are the cause or effect of the ailment. As a matter of fact, in context of Prana therapy, traditional methods of diagnostic analysis and equipment cannot help us in arriving at a conclusion. Theoretical considerations would not help in such matters. Only if some equipment could monitor real time physiological changes in the body of patients round the clock and diagnostic centers well equipped with such equipment are made available to a large number of therapists for each patient, would it be possible to know the relationship of the symptoms in the vertebral

“God created everything by number, weight and measure.” - Sir Isaac Newton

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column with the disease. Until we are provided with such arrangements, we shall have to forego the habit of hairsplitting in the rationale of diagnosis and follow the prescribed norms given by experts.

Whatever be the root cause of disease, in the discipline of Prana therapy the abovementioned five symptoms are taken as indications of malfunctioning in a diseased organ. Conversely, disappearance of these minor aberrations after therapy is taken as a sign of restoration of health.

While following any system of medicine for healing local treatment of the diseased organ is also considered necessary. Nevertheless the root of the disease must never be overlooked. A discomfort felt on account of frequently appearing blisters on skin or recurring headaches may be quickly relieved by application of ointment and administration of a sedative, but until the root cause is removed the ailment continues to recur in the same or some other form. Likewise, while carrying out local treatment of some diseased organs such as stomach, chest or head by Prana therapy, the root cause of the ailment in the vertebral column cannot be overlooked.

How to interact with the patient?

While interacting with a patient certain basic principles have to be kept in mind. These are being briefly discussed hereunder:

1. Establish a rapport

Do not meet the patient as a stranger. During conversation, treat the patient as an old acquaintance. Talk quietly, firmly and clearly. Interact with full sincerity and sympathy. Speak casually about the problems being faced by the patient. For instance, the therapist may appreciate the discomfiture of being bedridden, the monotony of sedentary routine and the apathy of dietary restrictions being faced by the patient. Sympathizing for such minor discomforts relaxes the patient to some extent and a rapport is immediately established with the patient.

2. Inculcate optimism

Never exaggerate the gravity of the disease. Such expressions as, “You have suffered too much……., your condition is critical but soon you will get well……” depresses the patient. On the other hand saying, “You will find a quick relief in your condition and very soon you will be hale and hearty…..”, uplifts the mood of the sufferer. If the patient specifically desires to know how long it would take for total recovery, give only a vague assurance of an early remedy without specifying time. It would not be proper to state any precise duration required for total cure, since any advice for prolongation of treatment after the time of given assurance would make the patient gloomy and doubtful about the efficiency of the therapist.

3. Be a patient listener

Let the patient himself describe his/her sufferings. Even if the patient talks irrelevantly, do not interrupt contemptuously. Pay full attention to what is being narrated and do not let the patient have the least impression that the disease is being taken up lightly. Do not contradict if the patient tends to exaggerate

“Both religion and science require a belief in God. For believers, God is in the beginning, and for physicists He is at the end of all considerations… .” – Physicist, Max Planck 30 Akhand Jyoti November - December 2014

the sufferings. Neither tell the patient that he/she is lying, nor contradict his/her statement, nor scorn at patient’s observations. Assure the patient about alleviation of problems in near future. If the patient expresses a desire for some requirement or facility, which cannot be granted in the interest of recovery, sweetly explain that such trifling requirement could be overlooked and would not suit the patient in the existing conditions of ailment and treatment. Ask the patient to bear the discomfort with maturity and courage.

4. Assure with body language

While interacting with a patient, look into his face-maintaining an eye contact. If necessary, caress his/her head while talking or show some other sympathetic gesture like patting on cheek or back. It will have a miraculous effect on the mood of the patient.

5. Refer to case histories

Tell the patient and the accompanying persons about some case histories, where similar disease had been successfully handled. The success stories of the therapist may be somewhat exaggerated but any impression of self-glorification should be cleverly avoided. The therapist may casually relate past cases of successful treatment in an interesting manner, avoiding repeated first person references to one’s own self. On the face value, this methodology of interaction with the patient may appear unethical but far from it, it is an excellent way of removing apprehensions and doubts from the mind of the patient and planting seeds of confidence in the psyche of the patient about the efficacy of the treatment.

6. Make the patient aware of the irrationality of superstition in health care

Often caretakers of patients are totally indifferent and ill-informed about the norms of food and living environment required for nursing a patient. Many practices following traditional notions and conceptions deny the patients even the normal means of comfort. People often hold such foolish notions as: fasting results in loss of appetite; drinking milk by a patient could result in a sore throat; keeping windows open for fresh air means inviting cold; etc. The caretakers of a patient should not succumb to such misconceptions. Illogical beliefs pertaining to nursing should be contradicted giving logic, and by quoting instances where, such practices had actually harmed the patient. Arrangements must be ensured for keeping the patient in a clean, well ventilated room, with a clean bed. For quick recovery, let the patient drink plenty of water and avoid taking food when not feeling hungry. If a patient feels uncomfortable on having been unable to defecate for a long time, some simple treatment may be given to ease excretion. Many harmful, traditional beliefs are also being held by common people about the so called proper diet required for patients. The therapist is advised to study food science painstakingly to learn about proper food required for various types of patients. However, whatever be the diet, it must have three essential qualities. It should be easily digestible, have sufficient water content and be tasteful for the palate.

“The question of whether there exists a Creator and Ruler of the Universe has been answered in the affirmative by some of the highest intellects that have ever existed.” - Charles Darwin Akhand Jyoti November - December 2014 31

Roots of diseases lie in the digestive system

Considering the malfunctioning of the digestive system as the root cause of common diseases, the first step the therapist should take is to arrange for cleansing the digestive tract of the patient. In order to void long accumulated undigested food from the bowels such treatments as, administering enema, inserting a thin stick of soap in the anus or some other simple method for easing defecation may be used to cause a couple of lose defecations. Emptying the stomach provides a great relief to the patient. An overworked, weakened digestive system requiring rest should be provided relief by fasting. Drinking plenty of water during fasting is not harmful. On the contrary it proves to be doubly beneficial after completion of a fast because of removal of toxins from the body. Whenever necessary, milk or fruit juices could be added to the water being consumed by the patient.

Where there is no problem in bowelmovements, the diet of the patient should contain some fluid and easily digestible contents. The most preferred diet for the patient would be that comprising milk, fruits and boiled vegetables. Otherwise, easily digestible liquid preparations like porridge or sago may be prescribed. Hard, dry and tasteless food is somewhat burdensome for digestion. Instead of providing nutrition, such food weakens the body. For easy digestion, whatever is being eaten by the patient, he should be advised to chew each morsel adequately for mixing it with saliva. Drinking water too requires slow sipping. Ideally, it should take at least ten minutes to drink a glass of water. In order to make each morsel of food pass through the food-pipe with least résistance, all edible substances should be masticated to the maximum possible extent. Let the food be chewed to such an extent as to make it thinner than saliva. It is again emphasized that a patient should be made to drink plenty of water.

Bhikshu Sangram asked Lord Buddha once, “What are the signs of a person deeply mired in materialism?” Lord promised to let him know the answer at the right time. The next day Lord Buddha was invited to a feast by Suppavasa, daughter of Koliya of Kundiya city. Lord had blessed Suppavasa so a son was born to her.

Buddha on meeting Suppavasa asked her, “Daughter Suppavasa, how many more sons do you wish for?” Suppavasa replied, “It will be nice if I can have seven more sons.” Sangram was watching the conversation. Who till yesterday was unable to bear the labour pains is asking for seven more sons! Surprised Sangram looked at Lord Buddha. Lord smiled and said, “Dear Sangram, a human being daily sees his desires fulfilled and rejected; yet he does not free himself from the attachment to desires. This is the main sign of a person mired in materialism.”

“Science is incompetent to reason upon the creation of matter itself out of nothing. We have reached the utmost limit of our thinking faculties when we have admitted that because matter cannot be eternal and self-existent it must have been created.” – Physicist and mathematician James Clerk Maxwell 32 Akhand Jyoti November - December 2014