Nadi Pariksha: Getting to the root cause

On an empty stomach, they queue religiously, from early morning, awaiting patiently for their turn to be checked by a Nadi Parikshak, an Ayurvedic specialist who is an expert in reading their pulse. Among them are home-makers, working men and women, elderly persons as well as children - some visibly ill, others comparatively fit. "I have been coming here once a month for the past two years for regular check-up for my diabetes which, thankfully, is under control after I started taking Ayurvedic treatment along with appropriate dietary modifications as advised by Nadi Parikshak's Dr Syamaprasad," admits Geeta Desai, (name changed) a resident of Ponda who is in the queue along with many others.
Nadi Pariksha also known as ‘nadi chikitsa' can accurately diagnose both physical and mental diseases as well as dosha imbalances. It is an important diagnostic tool used by Ayurvedic doctors and consists of various examination or physical tests. Associated with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Foundation, Dr Syamaprasad, (BMS) and specialised in Nadi Pariksha (pulse reading), is a visiting Ayurvedic doctor who checks patients across India for the past five years. "I have been visiting Goa for the past three years. While 60 per cent are regular followers, the rest are fresh cases," he shares. Having studied at Sri Sri College of Ayurvedic Science & Research Hospital, Bengaluru, Dr Syamaprasad, shares that almost all diseases are diagnosed, even cancer.
"Nadi Pariksha forewarns about the potential health risk. If there is onset of cancer, one can diagnose it through pulse and advise the patient to alter his lifestyle, diet and medicines so that the disease does not manifest. This helps to prevent its onset. Though, it is not revealed to the patient that he is susceptible for cancer, we can, very well, control the spread of disease," says Dr Syamaprasad who treats patients with diabetes, arthritis, digestive problems, blood pressure, thyroid, heart ailments, mental illnesses, skin diseases and cancer.
Borrowing Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's words, he explains that health is not mere absence of disease, but is the dynamic expression of life. Stating that Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of natural and holistic medicine, Dr Syamaprasad says that this science of life, offers us the knowledge of how to prevent disease in the first place and how to eliminate its root cause, in case it occurs. While allopathic medicine tends to focus on the management of the diseases, Ayurveda finds out the root cause and treats it using herbs to assist the body in returning its balance, to cure and prevent disease.
Speaking about the importance of precision in diagnosis in the process of healing, Dr Syamaprasad highlights the ancient Ayurvedic technique of diagnosis through the pulse - Nadi Pariksha. "It can accurately diagnose physical, mental and emotional imbalances as well as diseases. It is a non-invasive science through which it is possible to reach the root cause of health issues and not just address the symptoms," he says.
Nadi Pariksha understands the vibratory frequency of the pulse at various levels on the radial artery, points out Dr Syamaprasad. "Subtle vibrations are read at seven different levels vertically downward that help in ascertaining various functions in the body. The pulse, when examined, reveals both physical and mental characteristics of the patient. This is interpreted in the form of symptoms along with their prognosis, which helps in understanding the cause. Thus, Nadi Pariksha forms the basis for addressing any ailment in an individual," he elaborates.
Additionally, Nadi Pariksha is also the scientific tool that enables an individual to secure their personalised wellness regimes that range from therapeutic massages, personalised diet, exercise programmes, rigorous detoxification and lifestyle transforming experiences. The best time for examining the pulse for diagnosis is on empty stomach, early in the morning or three hours after food because after food metabolism process begins and the diagnosis gets distorted.
Dr Syamaprasad explains, "Nadi Pariksha is done using the signals obtained from the three precise locations on the wrist at the radial artery using index, middle and ring fingers corresponding to Vata, Pitta and Kapha."
The time tested and age-old natural way of healing, Ayurveda, has taught that any presence of disease in our system will be indicated as an imbalance in our ‘doshas'. The key to cure and keep our body in good health is to balance the doshas and bring back balance to the body system. The principles of Ayurveda follow the natural way to diagnose diseases and bring back balance to the body.
Endorsing that Nadi Pariksha has worked wonderfully for him Durgesh Naik, a patient turned facilitator, admits, "I am completely cured of chronic acidity after following Ayurvedic way of life. Sudarshan Kriya has helped me a lot in getting control over my health," admits Durgesh Naik.
People in Goa are now convinced that Ayurveda supports health without disturbing the natural intelligence of the body and Ayurvedic treatments and techniques have no side effects, he believes. "It's my way of contributing to the society," he says.