Holistic healing gives ray of hope for Elephantiasis patients

Inspired by his own experience on how integrated approach to medicine worked wonders, an executive in a City-based private export company plans to set up a centre to treat patients suffering from Filariasis.

When City doctors had nearly given up hope on his condition of severe Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), an integrated approach came in handy for Radhakrishna S Iyer. A combined therapy of ayurvedic, homoeopathic and allopathic drugs along with yoga and compression provided him relief.

Treatment offered to him at the Institute of Applied Dermatology (IAD) in Kasargod, Kerala, gave him hope. Iyer is now contemplating on starting such a treatment centre in the City with the help of experts from IAD.

“I visited a number of treatment centres in the City, both allopathic and ayurvedic. I was told that there would be no treatment with assured relief from the problem. It was a matter of luck that a passerby who looked at my condition told me about the place,” Iyer said.

The girth of Iyer’s leg, according to his medical reports, was as high as 79 centimeters and only after being treated at IAD did his condition improve.

“I had to get shoes tailor made at a very high price. Today, my feet fit well into slippers of normal size,” he said.

“I know that the City has a very high number of people with this ailment. Not many would be able to travel so far and get treated either because of time constraints or financial limitations. It is for this reason that I am contemplating on setting up a branch of IAD in Bengaluru. I will request doctors from Kasargod to offer services here,” he said.

Counselling required

Patients at the IAD undergo counselling before treatment. They are expected to undergo treatment for a fortnight, following which medications and massage could be given at home, along with yoga.

A representative from the hospital told Deccan Herald that patients from 22 states visit IAD for treatment. “So far, we have offered treatment to around 4,000 patients. The Indian Council for Medical Research has identified this as a new form of treatment for the disease,” he added.
DH News Service