Nadi Vigyan

February 20, 2005

Dear Vaidyas,

I am an Ayurvedic practitioner that also specializes in "Nadi Vigyan" Pressure

Therapy. However, there is very little documentation on this therapy. So this is

a plea for references and your ideas on the mode of action of this therapy.

'Nadi Vigyan' Pressure Therapy is an ancient bodywork therapy that first hit the

newspaper headlines in Britain and Canada a few years ago. This is an old

forgotten therapy that some say originates from the Vedas, and this practice

also has roots in Tibetan medicine.

All disease is the result of blocks or congestion in the nadi system. Pressure

Therapy is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy channels

in the body. This is a rehabilitative bodywork therapy which works by

stimulating the blood supply and nerve currents to the relevant organs via the

nadis, so as to redress the normal physiological functioning of the appropriate

gland or organ. 'PT' utilizes the technique of "Indirect Stimulation" i.e.

pressure is applied on the arms and/or legs of the patient to stop the flow of

blood to the specific region of the body for a particular duration (6 seconds)

and then released, so that blood flows with a greater force to the correlated

nerves /glands / organs. By applying mild pressure at specified points on the

limbs for specific time periods, results in a "gain of function" for the

relevant organ.

Historically, in the remote villages of India it was commonplace to see the

house nurse relieve ailments like stomach cramps by standing on the arms and

legs of the patient. Pressure Therapy was traditionally carried in this manner,

but in the west hands are used with equal effect, as this makes the patient feel

more at ease. Pressure is adjusted according to the age, sex, and tolerance of

the patient. Usually the patient usually experiences a pleasant sensation.

The nadis are centered around the navel, therefore "Nabhi diagnosis", which has

been passed down through the generations is the main diagnostic tool utilized in

Nadi Vigyan/ Ayurveda Pressure Therapy. "Nabhi diagnosis" involves palpating the

nabhi points for temperature variations, tension, pressure pain, reactive

sensations, and tightness. These nabhi points are linked to the digestive

organs. Ayurveda Pressure Therapy reaffirms that by treating the digestive

system we address the root cause for most disease. Consequently advise on

Ayurvedic regimen; diet, lifestyle, exercise, and meditation, are valuable

adjuncts of the therapy.

One Ayurvedic ailment, which is not recognized in allopathy is the "dislocation

of the navel" which can lead severe ailments. Like many traditional Indian folk

medicine systems initial 'PT procedure' involves setting the navel, so as to

correct any misalignment. This is then followed by the focal point of Pressure

Therapy, which is to stimulate the blood supply/ nerve currents/ prana/ chi in

the relevant nadi of the hypo functioning organs e.g. Liver, Stomach, Pancreas

etc. It was while practising the traditional Indian folk medicine system of

setting the navel, that Dr Mehra correlated its function to the physiology of

the human body. After many years of researching the correlation of this ancient

bodywork therapy Dr Mehra and his team in Bombay have developed novel treatment

protocols that have had outstanding results in the treatment of many serious

health conditions. This therapy is called Neurotherapy in India.

“Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy is often confused with Chavutti Thirumal.

Chavutti Thirumal is a full body oil massage where the therapist uses their bare

feet to

to massage the body. A Chavutti

Thirumal practitioner massages the whole body from head to toe often, using

long, sweeping strokes that concentrate on the muscoskeletal system so promoting

suppleness and flexibility. “Nadi Vigyan” Pressure Therapy differs as it

concentrates on stimulating the prana in specific nadis related to the specific

organs of the body. For example if the Liver is under functioning, then the

therapist will stimulate the nadis linked to the Liver or if the patient has a

Hypo Adrenal disorder, then we stimulate the nadis linked to the Adrenal gland

etc. However the countings, pressure and technique of application are

fundamental in this therapy. For this reason it is important that the therapist

has a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

“Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy/Ayurveda Pressure Therapy differs from

Neurotherapy in that Ayurvedic herbs are also given to the patient. These herbs

target the deficient dhatus and doshas. For example if we have a patient with

Amenorrhoea, then we work on the nadis connected to the uterus and ovaries.

Within minutes the tension in these reflex area i.e. uterus and ovaries will

reduce. Several treatments usually around 3 to 6 weekly treatments are required.

For chronic cases the use of Ashwagandha/ Shatavariare will also be prescribed.

With other disease pathology we may additionally administer/advise Nasya,

Shirodhara, Virechana, Yoga asanas, Pranayama etc.

PROPOSED MODE OF ACTION ACCORDING TO MY FINDINGS

It is the nadis that carry the energy or prana. This flow of prana represents

the health of the human body. As long as they are not obstructed or caught up in

weakness, the body remains energetic. The technique of working on the nadis does

not only serve the purpose of drawing blood to the "hypo-functioning organ" but

has a more complex mode of action. The real mechanism of action is the

inter-connection between the organs, the parasympathetetic/sympathetic nervous

system, spine and the chakra system. Ida, Pingala and Sushumna, which

interweave, the crossing points being the sites of the charkas. Where these two

cross they form the plexuses, or nodes, from which the nerves radiate out to,

for example the heart, lungs, diaphragm, digestive system and endocrine organs.

The flow of prana in the body works is said to alternate between the 3 most

important nadis in the pranic body, ida, pingala and sushumna. Dr Mehra's

treatment protocols for treating the relevant organs is to treat the

opposite limb e.g. right kidney = left leg and left shoulder, right ovary =

left forearm, gall = right thigh etc. So would this be an interaction of ida and

pingala??? or with another nadi interaction e.g. Yashasvati on the leg .

VAIDYAS I NEED YOUR HELP IN THE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS THERAPY WORKS.

Is the Nadi theory correct?

Is it the pressure applied on the nerve plexuses (hence the term Neurotherapy)

on the legs and arms, which promotes pranic flow to the Nabhi chakra?

Some say that it results in the activation of Brahma Randra via the sacral pump,

but I do not understand the mechanism.

A Tibetan doctor has also informed me that breathing was a very important

component for a very similar Tibetan therapy. So how can I incorporate this into

the therapy?

Dr Mehra's team has had good results in treating MS, Parkinson's Disease,

Paralysis, Palsy etc. So why what would make a therapy like this effective in

neuromuscular disorders?

In Germany I have had astounding success with treating Infertility using

Pressure Therapy only. Also treating GI disorders is routinely successful, I

presume as the Nabhi Chakra is effectively treated.

The root cause of nearly all medical problems in this therapy is related to the

malfunctioning digestive organs. So the route of treatment is first to correct

the digestive system and then address the endocrine, skin, immune organs etc.

I end this rather long email with thanks for your attention and the hope that

you will be able to help this PT/Neurotherapy practitioner understand how this

therapy operates and provide references that may be used in future publications.

Many thanks

Ray S Noronha

Clinical Ayurveda Practitioner

European Register of Herbal Practioners

February 21, 2005

Dear Ray Noronha,

The actual working mechanism of Acupuncture, Acupressure, Marma therapy or Nadi

therapy is not known. It is true that there are several areas where the nerves

and the autonomic system actually cross, and yet there are several areas where

they do not. It is a matter of conjecture as to how the "blocks" in the nadi

are relieved, by change in the flow / direction of the autonomic system or

blood flow. The blood flow may ultimately depend on the autonomic nervous flow.

Not only are same or opposite sides of the body recommended, but also areas of

ear, or feet, or hands that correlate with other anatomic areas. Massaging the

navel also relieves problems of organs related to intestines or other

intra-abdominal organs.

Durgesh Mankikar,MD

February 22, 2005

there is also the issue of the pathway of the nadis

the ida nadi is always on the left, the pingala on the right

i have never seen an authentic reference to the nadis actually

criss-crossing at the chakras, except at the ajna chakra, where shiva

meets shakti and becomes ardhanaishvara, half male and female, i.e. the

end of duality where everything dissolves into the pranava (OM)

i certainly have seen the nadis represented as criss-crossing by

western illustrators, but not in Indian texts

i think its probably wrong, and may be inspired by the caduceus (the

staff with dual intertwining snakes that is commonly used by the

medical profession) that represents the Roman god mercury, and was

later suggested to represent the Indian concept of sushumna, ida and

pingala nadis by western occultists

(note however that on the caduceus the snakes never actually meet, but

only stare and each other eye to eye, i.e. the duality remains, and the

wings of mercury in the head region suggest intellect divorced from

reality... the older staff of Asclepius, with one snake, may represent

the method of removing filarial parasites from the body by slowing

winding them around a stick - very painful i am told...)

the entire field of "chakra work" here in the West is dominated by this

kind of misappropriation and misconception

we are told by the tantric texts that the activation of the chakras are

life-expanding events, where the nature of consciousness is changed

forever - the acquisition of siddhas (psychic powers) is only a small

component

in contrast, people that do chakra work "clear" the chakras, to remove

"blockages" that can affect the body-mind

i speculate that there is another secondary, "shadow" chakra system,

the mundane octave to the esoteric chakras, and these may indeed be

influenced by ida and pingala, but they have nothing at all to do with

kundalini or the shushumna nadi

sorry folks, nobody is going to get the moksha while lying on a massage

table...

anyway, my two cents...

Caldecott

todd

>

> The actual working mechanism of Acupuncture, Acupressure, Marma

> therapy or Nadi therapy is not known. It is true that there are

> several areas where the nerves and the autonomic system actually

> cross, and yet there are several areas where they do not. It is a

> matter of conjecture as to how the "blocks" in the nadi are relieved,

> by change in the flow / direction of the autonomic system or blood

ritesh0000 · October 4, 2007

Respected Sir ,

I am an Ayurvedic Graduate.

I want to ask that is there any book or literature from where I can get the knowledge of this "NADI VIGYAN, PRESSURE THERAPY AND NEUROTHERAPY"

IF yes then from where and how can I purchase those books..

THANKING YOU

REGARDS

Ritesh Chawla

Dear Vaidyas,

I am an Ayurvedic practitioner that also specializes in "Nadi Vigyan" Pressure

Therapy. However, there is very little documentation on this therapy. So this is

a plea for references and your ideas on the mode of action of this therapy.

'Nadi Vigyan' Pressure Therapy is an ancient bodywork therapy that first hit the

newspaper headlines in Britain and Canada a few years ago. This is an old

forgotten therapy that some say originates from the Vedas, and this practice

also has roots in Tibetan medicine.

All disease is the result of blocks or congestion in the nadi system. Pressure

Therapy is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy channels

in the body. This is a rehabilitative bodywork therapy which works by

stimulating the blood supply and nerve currents to the relevant organs via the

nadis, so as to redress the normal physiological functioning of the appropriate

gland or organ. 'PT' utilizes the technique of "Indirect Stimulation" i.e.

pressure is applied on the arms and/or legs of the patient to stop the flow of

blood to the specific region of the body for a particular duration (6 seconds)

and then released, so that blood flows with a greater force to the correlated

nerves /glands / organs. By applying mild pressure at specified points on the

limbs for specific time periods, results in a "gain of function" for the

relevant organ.

Historically, in the remote villages of India it was commonplace to see the

house nurse relieve ailments like stomach cramps by standing on the arms and

legs of the patient. Pressure Therapy was traditionally carried in this manner,

but in the west hands are used with equal effect, as this makes the patient feel

more at ease. Pressure is adjusted according to the age, sex, and tolerance of

the patient. Usually the patient usually experiences a pleasant sensation.

The nadis are centered around the navel, therefore "Nabhi diagnosis", which has

been passed down through the generations is the main diagnostic tool utilized in

Nadi Vigyan/ Ayurveda Pressure Therapy. "Nabhi diagnosis" involves palpating the

nabhi points for temperature variations, tension, pressure pain, reactive

sensations, and tightness. These nabhi points are linked to the digestive

organs. Ayurveda Pressure Therapy reaffirms that by treating the digestive

system we address the root cause for most disease. Consequently advise on

Ayurvedic regimen; diet, lifestyle, exercise, and meditation, are valuable

adjuncts of the therapy.

One Ayurvedic ailment, which is not recognized in allopathy is the "dislocation

of the navel" which can lead severe ailments. Like many traditional Indian folk

medicine systems initial 'PT procedure' involves setting the navel, so as to

correct any misalignment. This is then followed by the focal point of Pressure

Therapy, which is to stimulate the blood supply/ nerve currents/ prana/ chi in

the relevant nadi of the hypo functioning organs e.g. Liver, Stomach, Pancreas

etc. It was while practising the traditional Indian folk medicine system of

setting the navel, that Dr Mehra correlated its function to the physiology of

the human body. After many years of researching the correlation of this ancient

bodywork therapy Dr Mehra and his team in Bombay have developed novel treatment

protocols that have had outstanding results in the treatment of many serious

health conditions. This therapy is called Neurotherapy in India.

“Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy is often confused with Chavutti Thirumal.

Chavutti Thirumal is a full body oil massage where the therapist uses their bare

feet to

to massage the body. A Chavutti

Thirumal practitioner massages the whole body from head to toe often, using

long, sweeping strokes that concentrate on the muscoskeletal system so promoting

suppleness and flexibility. “Nadi Vigyan” Pressure Therapy differs as it

concentrates on stimulating the prana in specific nadis related to the specific

organs of the body. For example if the Liver is under functioning, then the

therapist will stimulate the nadis linked to the Liver or if the patient has a

Hypo Adrenal disorder, then we stimulate the nadis linked to the Adrenal gland

etc. However the countings, pressure and technique of application are

fundamental in this therapy. For this reason it is important that the therapist

has a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

“Nadi Vigyan” Presssure Therapy/Ayurveda Pressure Therapy differs from

Neurotherapy in that Ayurvedic herbs are also given to the patient. These herbs

target the deficient dhatus and doshas. For example if we have a patient with

Amenorrhoea, then we work on the nadis connected to the uterus and ovaries.

Within minutes the tension in these reflex area i.e. uterus and ovaries will

reduce. Several treatments usually around 3 to 6 weekly treatments are required.

For chronic cases the use of Ashwagandha/ Shatavariare will also be prescribed.

With other disease pathology we may additionally administer/advise Nasya,

Shirodhara, Virechana, Yoga asanas, Pranayama etc.

PROPOSED MODE OF ACTION ACCORDING TO MY FINDINGS

It is the nadis that carry the energy or prana. This flow of prana represents

the health of the human body. As long as they are not obstructed or caught up in

weakness, the body remains energetic. The technique of working on the nadis does

not only serve the purpose of drawing blood to the "hypo-functioning organ" but

has a more complex mode of action. The real mechanism of action is the

inter-connection between the organs, the parasympathetetic/sympathetic nervous

system, spine and the chakra system. Ida, Pingala and Sushumna, which

interweave, the crossing points being the sites of the charkas. Where these two

cross they form the plexuses, or nodes, from which the nerves radiate out to,

for example the heart, lungs, diaphragm, digestive system and endocrine organs.

The flow of prana in the body works is said to alternate between the 3 most

important nadis in the pranic body, ida, pingala and sushumna. Dr Mehra's

treatment protocols for treating the relevant organs is to treat the

opposite limb e.g. right kidney = left leg and left shoulder, right ovary =

left forearm, gall = right thigh etc. So would this be an interaction of ida and

pingala??? or with another nadi interaction e.g. Yashasvati on the leg .

VAIDYAS I NEED YOUR HELP IN THE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS THERAPY WORKS.

Is the Nadi theory correct?

Is it the pressure applied on the nerve plexuses (hence the term Neurotherapy)

on the legs and arms, which promotes pranic flow to the Nabhi chakra?

Some say that it results in the activation of Brahma Randra via the sacral pump,

but I do not understand the mechanism.

A Tibetan doctor has also informed me that breathing was a very important

component for a very similar Tibetan therapy. So how can I incorporate this into

the therapy?

Dr Mehra's team has had good results in treating MS, Parkinson's Disease,

Paralysis, Palsy etc. So why what would make a therapy like this effective in

neuromuscular disorders?

In Germany I have had astounding success with treating Infertility using

Pressure Therapy only. Also treating GI disorders is routinely successful, I

presume as the Nabhi Chakra is effectively treated.

The root cause of nearly all medical problems in this therapy is related to the

malfunctioning digestive organs. So the route of treatment is first to correct

the digestive system and then address the endocrine, skin, immune organs etc.

I end this rather long email with thanks for your attention and the hope that

you will be able to help this PT/Neurotherapy practitioner understand how this

therapy operates and provide references that may be used in future publications.

Many thanks

Ray S Noronha

Clinical Ayurveda Practitioner

European Register of Herbal Practioners