Managing Cellulite With Ayurveda
- Written by Dr. Mangesh Mudgal
- Published in Case Studies
Cellulite is a condition in which the skin appears to have areas with underlying fat deposits, giving it a dimpled, lumpy appearance.
It presents as a modification of skin topography, evident by skin dimpling and nodularity that occurs mainly in women on the pelvic region, lower limbs, and abdomen. Cellulite is thought to occur in 80-90% of the post pubertal females. There appears to be a hormonal component to its presentation. It is rarely seen in males.
CAUSES-
- Hormonal factors.
- Genetic factors
- Change in metabolism
- High stress lifestyle
- Lymphatic and circulatory insufficiency
- Dieting has shown to have variable effects on improving or worsening the appearance of cellulite.
- Conventional medicine states- At this point, there is no outstanding treatment for cellulite.
According to Ayurveda, cellulite is a condition seen in vitiated Medovasha strotas (Adipose tissue). Accumulation of unformed fat (Abadha medas) under the skin layer leads to dimpling or nodularity of the skin, Which can be treated very effectively with the help of Purgation and Powder massage therapy.
-CASE STUDY-
A 43 yr old female patient came with complaints of-
Weight gain since 4 yrs
Cellulite over buttocks and thigh
Very low energy levels
Breathlessness after climbing stairs
Pain in both knee joints while climbing stairs
Pain in lower back
History of present illness- Patient was on contraceptive pills for 6 yrs, after taking medication for some months she had noticed weight gain, fluid retention and cellulite over buttocks. For these reasons, she had stopped contraceptive pills. Since then her weight and cellulites seem to be increasing.
Purgation therapy and powder massage therapy (Udwartana) were given. These have brought down her weight and cellulite remarkably.
The internal and external oliation in purgation therapy –brings softness in rigid unwanted fat cells, melts them and finally expels them out of the body.
Brings balance in Hormones responsible for cellulite formation
Rejuvenates whole body-mind system
Powder massage therapy – Stimulates fat cell metabolism, brings down subcutaneous fat, tones up the skin and underline muscles.
During therapy and after therapy her symptoms like Very low energy levels, Breathlessness after climbing stairs, Pain in both knee joints while climbing stairs and Pain in lower back almost went down. Remarkable weight loss plus decreased cellulite was seen after therapy. Patient kept on losing weight throughout the year, until her body adopted normal body weight necessary for proper metabolism, with complete disappearance of cellulites.
Measurement Techniques | Before Therapy | After Therapy | One Year after Therapy |
WEIGHT- | 85.6 kg | 80.1 kg | 74 kg |
BMI- | 32.92 | 30.8 | 28.46 |
W:H- | 0.91 | 0.87 | 0.8 |
FAT%- | 43.9 | 41.5 | 38.87 |
Measurements to determine Inches loss | |||
CHEST - | 43 “ | 41.5” | 40” |
UMBILICUS- | 41.3” | 38.7 | 37.5 |
WAIST- | 41.3 | 40.8 | 39.1 |
BUTTOCKS- | 44.8 | 43.6 | 42 |
THIGH- | 22.4 | 21.2 | 21 |
CALF - | 14 | 14 | 13.6 |
ARM- | 13.5 | 13.3 | 13.1 |
FOREARM- | 9.4 | 8.7 | 8.7 |