Integrating Ayurveda and Modern Medicine - Part 3
Care for the Whole Person at The Buddha's Medicine
*This post is part 3 of a 4-part series: You can review Part 1, Part 2, and Part 4!
At The Buddha's Medicine, the healing process begins with a comprehensive assessment that integrates both Ayurvedic and modern diagnostic techniques. And we don't short-change our patients; our first visit with a new patient typically lasts around 3 hours, and sometimes a bit longer. In my view, there is no substitute for taking time and offering attention. We cover complete health history, lifestyle, diet (in lots of detail), and emotional well-being. I always want to hear the whole story from my patient's perspective. I always want to understand the health and life goals of each person that I'm caring for.
One of our priorities at the first visit is diagnosing a person's doshic constitution accurately, and ensuring that each patient we care for has a sense of all of the nuance their constitution brings to bear regarding their health. This sets the stage for a discussion of the present pathophysiology (imbalance and disease), which we frame from both western and Ayurvedic perspectives. We are not shy about the thoughtful use of modern medical diagnostics, such as lab tests and imaging to fill in some of the minute details that can only be determined using those tools. At the same time, we are by no means excessive in our use of those tools; we do not believe in libraries of test results dozens of pages long in the vast majority of cases. Each person and each case is treated with the uniqueness they deserve. This assessment method allows me to see the patient as a whole person, rather than just a collection of symptoms and numbers on a page, ensuring that all aspects of their health are considered.
Once the initial assessment is complete, we turn our attention to a plan of care. For each and every person we see at The Buddha's Medicine, I personally develop a wholly individualized treatment plan that seamlessly weaves Ayurvedic therapies together with modern insights and sensibilities. The plan is always tailored to the patient's unique needs and preferences. Elements of our care plans include Ayurvedic best practices such as constitution- and condition-specific nutrition plans (developed and written on-the-spot); mindful movement, meditation, and mind/body practices and prescriptions; hands-on medicine treatments (counterstrain, marma therapy, etc.); therapeutic breathwork; custom-designed herbal blends and topical treatments; and more. And these often pair alongside more conventional care elements, such as medication co-management and/or safe medication tapering; referrals to specialty care (where appropriate); behavioral therapies; and so on. This integrative approach ensures that patients receive the best of both worlds, optimizing modern care through the personalized and holistic focus of Ayurveda. For example, a patient with low thyroid function from Hashimoto's thyroiditis will require ongoing lab monitoring of their thyroid function, and likely periodic thyroid ultrasound to monitor for any mass/growth formation. At the same time, they are likely to benefit from custom-designed Ayurvedic herbal therapies to improve thyroid re-uptake in the gut and improve auto-antibody breakdown through the liver; a classical formulation like kanchanar guggulu to reduce auto-antibody production and restore some function to the thyroid; and nutritional interventions to ensure appropriate mineral intake.
Another crucial part of my approach is educating patients on the benefits of integrative medicine. At The Buddha's Medicine, we believe in clarity and transparency, and we believe that informed patients are empowered patients. Education often includes supplement review, Ayurveda fundamentals, some select aspects of dravya guna (the study of medicinal substances), framing Western medical concepts through an Ayurvedic lens (and vice-versa), incorporating other integrative modalities into the plan of care, and more. Knowledge not only improves interest and investment in treatment plans - it also fosters a deeper sense of involvement and connection to the healing journey.
Dr. Matt
Ayurveda emphasizes and promotes balance for the body, mind, and spirit, which complements Western medicine's focus on diagnosing and treating specific symptoms and ailments. This approach is particularly beneficial for those with complex and/or chronic conditions. In addressing the underlying causes of disease/illness and emphasizing preventive well-being, Ayurveda strengthens the body's natural healing abilities. For instance, patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment might find relief and improved quality of life through Ayurvedic interventions like nasya therapy (herbally-medicated oil applied through the nose which supports steady, quality sleep, stress reduction, and mental grounding); custom herbal therapy to manage other side effects of the chemo like nausea, poor appetite, dizziness, and so on; and breathwork to maintain steady metabolism and help direct the action of the chemotherapy more precisely alongside their conventional cancer care.
Ultimately, integration ensures comprehensive and effective health management. Patients benefit from reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved management of existing conditions, and a greater sense of well-being.
We highlight just a few of the strengths of Ayurveda in an integrative medicine framework below:
Preventive Care: Ayurveda excels in preventive care through tools therapeutic lifestyle, nutrition, and stress management, which are all aspects of dinacharya, or daily routine. And in fact, we offer a self-paced course on dinacharya (which is available here). And beyond our foundational dinacharya course, by understanding an individual's unique Ayurvedic constitution, we can recommend person-specific dietary and lifestyle changes that promote balance and prevent illness.
Chronic Disease Management: Ayurveda offers effective strategies for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune conditions, and allergies. Herbal remedies, targeted nutritional therapies, and lifestyle modifications can significantly improve these conditions.
Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health: Psychoemotional health is another area where Ayurvedic approaches can significantly enhance treatment outcomes. Tools such as Ayurvedic breathwork, meditation, shirodhara (warm herbally-medicated oil applied to the forehead in a steady stream), nasya therapy (see above), and herbal therapies compliment modern psychiatric and psychological treatments very well. These practices help reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance emotional well-being, supporting a more holistic approach to mental health care.
Rehabilitation and Recovery: Ayurvedic practices are also beneficial in post-surgery recovery and rehabilitation. Therapies such as marma chikitsa (Ayurvedic pressure point therapy), abhyanga (warm herbal oil applied topically to the body), and thoughtful herbal remedies taken by mouth can aid in the healing process, reduce recovery time, and improve overall outcomes. By supporting the body's natural healing processes, these practices enhance the effectiveness of conventional post-operative care.
To sum all of this up, the integration of Ayurveda and modern medicine presents a uniquely comprehensive and effective approach to healthcare. By combining the strengths of both systems, we can provide hyper-personalized, fully holistic care that addresses the body, mind, and spirit, leading to improved health outcomes and enhanced well-being for our patients.
As always, if you are curious about your constitution & health (or health of a loved one), you can book a cost-free, 15min Consultation, and we’ll discuss!
Professional disclaimer: please do not initiate any herbal or other medicinal interventions without the guidance of a knowledgeable provider.
Dr. Matt Van Auken, MD, MPH
Dr. Matt is an Ayurveda-trained, triple board-certified physician.
