External Therapy
Siddha and ayurvedic therapies including Abyangam, navarakizhi, podi thimiral, shirodhara, and shiropichu help immensely in managing and helping many key symptoms of Autism. All these external therapies play a huge role in detoxification, nourishment, and sensory integration.
Dr. Kazuo Uebaba, associate superintendent of the International Traditional Medicine Research Center of Toyama prefecture in his study found Physiological changes during shirodhara were similar to those of meditation, including α-wave dominance in the frontal area and a decrease in heart rate and CO2 excretion.
- Abhyangam
- Navarakizhi
- Shiropichu
- Shirodhara
- Acupuncture
- Liver compress
- Abdomen compress
- Foot bath
- Foot massage
- Spatial dynamics
Abhyangam is a type of massage that is often used in Ayurveda and siddha to promote relaxation and balance. In the context of autism, abhyanga is believed to help improve circulation, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of calm. The massage involves the application of warm herbal oils to the body, which are then massaged in using long, flowing strokes. It improves the muscle tone and there by enhances the body functioning.
Navarkizhi is a type of massage that induces sweat and relieves stress. The main purpose of doing this massage is for the perspiration of a body part or the whole body, whichever is required by applying certain medicinal drugs with the Njavarakizhi rice pudding dipped in the form of boluses tied in a muslin cloth. The use of milk and rice is effectively used externally which poses to be an efficient massage pudding. Mostly the rice and other things are prepared by decoction using the necessary herbs and the rice is boiled for a certain time and given temperature. It’s a quintessential therapy that detoxifies the system and it's of great help since individuals with ASD are suffering from heavy metal toxicity. As Abhyangam, it aids in improving the muscle tone
Shirodhara is a classical and a well-established ayurvedic procedure of slowly and steadily dripping medicated oil or other liquids on the forehead. This procedure induces a relaxed state of awareness that results in a dynamic psycho-somatic balance. “ wasted talents” is the book written by krishna Narayanan, an author with Autism. In that book he has clearly explained how shirodhara treatment helped him to be more calm, less anxious and more expressive about his thoughts and ideas. In our experience of imparting shirodhara to individuals with ASD, we have observed the better EEG which indicates less seizural activities in the brain. It immensely helps to alleviate anger and aggression
