PHYSIOTHERAPY IN COMPARISON TO VYAYAMA AND SWEDANA KARMA: A REVIEW

Abstract

Physiotherapy is a branch of medical science which mainly deals with the physical aspects of an individual health, by treating their physical ailments. The treatment of disease, mechanical injuries or deformities are carried out by Physiotherapy methods such as massage, heat treatment, Electric treatment, Cold treatment and some unique exercises, rather than by drugs or surgery. These modes of Physiotherapy can be correlated with Vyayama (Daily exercises for the movement of the body) and the different modalities of Swedana Karma (Sudation therapy) told in our classics on the basis of their mode of action and application. Vyayama (Exercise) is simple physical activity which increases or maintains Physical Fitness and overall it maintains the Health an individual. Swedana (Sudation Therapy) is the process of producing sweating. Here an effort has been done primarily to understand the basic knowledge of Physiotherapy- its types, indications, contraindications and the actions with respect to the Vyayama (Exercise) and Swedana (Sudation) methods explained in the Ayurvedic Classics. Also to analyse the combined effects of Physiotherapy with various Ayurvedic Treatment Procedures like Vyayama (Bodily Exercises) and Swedana (Sudation Procedures) for the betterment of various Clinical Conditions.