Title: Effect of Short Term Naturopathy Interventions on Anemia: A Single Case Report
Authors: Pradeep MK Nair, Shahana S, Salwa H
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v3i12.30
A 33 year old female diagnosed with iron deficiency Anemia in November 2014 visited National Institute of Naturopathy, OPD with complaints of lethargy, weakness, dry itchy skin and myalgia of shoulder and neck. She also expressed weakness post minor household works. Patient was not under any medications. A modified protocol of naturopathy treatments enduring for 6 days, with each session lasting for 90 minutes was devised which included hydrotherapy, mud therapy, massage and electrotherapy. Assessments were based on the changes in hemoglobin (Hb) level from the blood sample collected on first day and sixth day of the one week session. Our patient showed an escalation in the Hb level from 7 g/dl to 8.2 g/dl at the end of six days, suggesting a positive effect of naturopathy treatments in anemia. Literature also suggests that naturopathy modalities like hydrotherapy; mud therapy etc may play a role in improving the hematological status of the body. Naturopathy, a drugless system of medicine can bring clinically significant changes in Hb levels and should be considered as a potential tool for treating anemia. However large scale randomized studies has to be conducted in this area for warranting better results. Keywords: Anemia, Naturopathy, Hemoglobin. 1. Karine Tolentino, Jennifer F. Friedman. An Update on Anaemia in Less Developed Countries. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007;77:44-51. 2. Jenson B, Bodeen D. Visions of Health: Understanding Iridiology. 1st edition.USA: Penguin Putnam Inc.1992:125-29. 3. Nair PMK, Nanda A. Naturopathic medicine in India, Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies. 2014;17: 140–147. 4. Nature cure treatment. 2nd ed. Bangalore, India: Institute of naturopathy and yogic sciences. 1994. 5. Musaev AV, Imamverdieva SS, Kerimbei˘ li US. Pelotherapy of patients with diabetic poloyneuropathy: a clinical-immunolog-ical study. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008;108:17-23. 6. Mamidi P ,Gupta K. Efficacy of certain yogic and naturopathic procedures in premature ejaculation: A pilot study. Int J Yoga. 2013;6:118-22. 7. Pemberton R. The physiologic effect of massage. JAMA. 1924;83:1761-1763. 8. Kellog JH. Rational Hydrotherapy.3rd Edition. Pune, India: National Institute of Naturopathy. 2005:72. 9. Poensin D et al. effects of mud pack treatment on skin microcirculation. Joint None Spine. 2003;70:367-70 10. Hidetoshi M. Effects of massage on blood volume and muscle fatigue following isometric lumbar exercise. Med Sci Monit. 2004;10:173-8. 11. Weston M, Taber C, Casagranda L, et al. Changes in local blood volume during cold gel pack application to traumatized ankles. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1994; 19:197–9Abstract
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