The Swedana is an herbal steam bath therapy that drains the toxins from deep tissues,
offering further and complete detoxification. It also assists in weight loss, helps nourish the skin,
cleanses
the respiratory system, relieves stiffness, sore muscles and joint pain, reduces inflammation, and helps
relieve stress.
The Swedana process, which traditionally follows full-body massage therapies such as Abhyanga,
Pizhichil,
Kizhi, and Udwarthana, etc.
Sarvanga Swedana is a common method of Swedana procedure applied in most Ayurvedic hospitals. It uses a
closed
steam chamber with a retractable lidwhere the patients are placed lying supine and in head out position
and is
warmed with the help of steam impregnated with Ayurvedic decoction flowing into the chamber. The
procedure is
carried out for few minutes every day preceding a minimal oil massage of the whole body. This procedure
is
recommended as a first line therapy to many musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions identified as
Vataja
Nanatmaja (caused by Vata alone) diseases in Ayurveda.
Incidentally, Swedana is identified as one most frequently observed procedures adopted in Ayurvedic
Panchakarma clinics. It constitutes approximately 95% of total procedures carried out in Ayurvedic
Pancha
karma clinics. Out of total enrolments for Swedana, approximately 30% come from Sarvanga Swedana alone.
Clinical effects of Swedana have previously been identified through patient response surveys and
clinical
interventional studies.
Passive heat therapy is known to have its systemic effects. Ayurvedic Swedana therapy, being akin to
passive
heat therapy on account of methods employed to warm the body, utilizes principles similar to that of
passive
heating and thereby is hypothesized to have similar systemic hemodynamic effects.
