Methods Used for Evaluation
Health History Form
The client fills one out before the consultation. Phone clients
may fax it in. A good portion of the consultation is spent going
over the client’s past health history and life story, so
that Gabriel has a good picture of the client and health status
according to Ayurveda.
Related Medical Forms
Clients may bring related medical/health information provided
by any other health practitioner they may be seeing.
Specific Health Concern Form
You will discuss both the western diagnosis and prescriptions
and the symptoms as you experience them, looking from the Ayurvedic
perspective.
Photograph
Clients consulting by phone may wish to send a photograph.
Traditional Ayurvedic Assessment include taking
the pulse, examining the nails, tongue, face, eyes and body frame.
For the trained practitioner, each of these is a subtle window
into the workings of the inner physiology.
Journal
Occasionally clients may keep record of symptoms or health status
between follow-up appointments. These are reviewed by Gabriel
and client together at each visit and help to document progress
or illuminate program changes that may be necessary.
Modalities Used at the Center
Food consultation – conscious
use of food is a powerful tool for healing. Food-as-medicine is
also much safer than prescription midcations. Consultation focuses
on foods which will balance the client’s affected “body
humors” (Vata, Pitta or Kapha).
Lifestyle and daily routine –
discussion of such elements as work and playtime sleep habits,
family and personal time, as well as traditional health routines.
Education – in each consultation
the client is taught the principles of Ayurveda, by using her
own health experiences since the previous visit as examples. That
way the client gains the tools to identify and prevent potential
health problems all on her own.
Cooking Class – this is done
as a separate consultation at the client’s home. The client
learns first-hand how to prepare traditional healing recipes.
Herbal formulas – includes
formulas that can be purchases at any local health food store,
formulas to be ordered by specific companies. Formulas which cannot
be obtained at the above in sufficient quality are custom-made
and provided by Gabriel.
Fomentation – used for conditions
of respiratory congestion, fatigue, flu, headache, muscle spasm,
body ache, etc. Done at office or at home.
Yoga Asanas – may be provided
for clients with musculo-skeletal dysfunction or pain, and for
any client interested in a health-promoting daily routine.
Pancha Karma – the traditional
cleansing/detoxification procedure of Ayurveda, it means the “five
cleansing actions” and consists of daily oil massage, steam
fomentation, special diet and enema or purgative formula. It is
generally done one week a year or as needed according to condition.
Referral to Other Specialists
– Gabriel occasionally recommends that a client see one
of the following to support the total health program: massage
or “energy” therapist, medical doctor, emotional counselor,
physical therapist. This joint effort assures proper evaluation
and efficient results for you the client.
