Kalari Chikilsa

Kalari chikilsa is a system of medicine based on Ayurveda, specializing in treatment of orthopedic disorders and neuromuscular problems like back pain, spondylosis etc.The practitioner ie. the Gurukkal does the treatments like bone setting and massages using specially formulated oils and herbs. lie undertakes specialized studies in the science of marmas (vital spots)

In the human body there are certain spots where a bruise or a blow can cause death or numbness of some organs. These spots numbering to 107 are called the marmas or the vital spots. The knowledge about these marmas plays a major role in the effective practice of Kalari Chikilsa.

The underlying principle of Kalari Chikilsa is that an abnormality to any system of the human body such as nervous system, musculoskeletal system can happen only if anyone or more of the 107 vital spots are bruised. The treatment is all about detecting the vital spots affected and restoring them to normalcy.

Treatment Methods

1. UZHICHIL

It is a complete system, which rejuvenates the nervous and muscular systems of the body and stimulates the blood circulation. Uzhichil is the systematic application of pressure on the muscles according to their structure, at the same time stimulating the nervous stem and the circulatory system. This is done by oiling and massaging the various parts of the body. The practice helps in preparing a healthy body for Kalarippayat training. It can also enhance the general fitness of a common man.

The oil used for uzhichil depends upon the prakrutham or physical nature of the person. In general cases, a specially prepared Mukkoott oil is used.

Uzhichil is of two types - one with the hands ie. Kaiuzhichil for children, old and people of light build and the other with the feet ie. Chavuttiuzhichil for young and healthy persons. Uzhichil is always done so as to minimize the pressure on the heart and on the nerves to the heart ie. massaging from the waist downwards and upwards to the upper part of the body. The pressure and the force of massage is increased day by day till the 4th and then reduced so as to reach the minimum again on the 7th day. The massage is also done for the face and the head.

2. KIZHITHIRUMMU

In this method, specially prepared herbs and leaves are bundled in a cloth bag, known as Kizhi. This kizhi is dipped into a thailam (Medicated oil) the temperature of which is determined according to the physique of the patient. The combination of the oil also changes depending on the nature. The kizhi is applied with certain pressure on the body where there is pain and swelling.

Kizhithirummu is very effective in treating osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. This is also useful to treat age-old bruises and disorders.

Njavarakizhi, a particular type of kizhi is used to stimulate the nerves and to strengthen the muscles. Njavara, a kind of paddy having medicinal properties is boiled in kashayam (medicinal decoction) and the kizhi is made with this boiled Njavara. The kizhi is dipped in a mixture of milk and medicinal decoction and is applied all over the body.

3. NASYAM

It is a method of Kalarichikilsa where the medicated oils are administered through the nose. This treatment is effective for sinusitis and other ENT infections.

Effectiveness of Kalari Chikilsa

The fact that kalarichikilsa concentrates on treating the affected vital spots ie. on curing the root cause and not the symptoms, makes it the most suitable method for the treatment of sprains, bruises, fractures and dislocations. In Kalarichikilsa, nothing hostile to the body is used and nothing toxic is left behind, unlike allopathic treatment. This makes Kalarichikilsa free from side effects.

Several cases where surgery is a must in modern techniques of therapy can be cured by Kalarichikilsa without the surgical blade coming into play. Also, there have been many cases in which Kalarichikilsa has succeeded where modern therapy was helpless. The saga of the success of Kalarichikilsa is continuing with its glory and fame reaching new heights day by day.

Kalari and Orthopedics

Kalari has also developed a traditional orthopedic system, which is popular all over the state especially for the setting of displaced or fractured bones and neurological complaints. Here too traditional medical preparations are used. The herbs, barks and leaves of plants locally available constitute the major ingredients. These medicines are pulverized and made into a paste by adding oil, ghee or white of an egg and put around the area of bone setting. After placing the bones in correct position, twigs will be used as a support to effect immobilization.

The common medicated oil used in Kalari therapy is Murivenna (oil for wounds), which is a traditional folk preparation. An analysis of the medicine used in the Kalari for bone setting and massage will show that the Kalari master of the olden times were influenced by the folk medical knowledge, Ayurveda and Siddha medicine.