Ayurvedic Medicine
What is Ayurvedic Medicine? Ayurveda is a system of healing from India that uses nature as medicine, in both the preventive and curative sense. It’s all-encompassing and looks to use your personal story as a personal path for healing. The components and characteristics of nature—specifically the five elements and the three Ayurvedic constitutions or doshas—are considered in helping you understand yourself, your experiences, and how you can create optimal health and well-being.
Who should work with an Ayurvedic Practitioner? Whether you’re looking to address minor health concerns, in search of an alternative and/or complementary way of healing, or simply interested in learning more about yourself, Ayurveda has a little something for everyone. At Lék, practitioner Sarah Kucera has a particular knack for helping you weave aspects of Ayurveda into your daily life for overall health and assisting you in designing a daily schedule and routine that optimizes your energy and effectiveness in work while leaving time for leisure and play. She has experience in treating conditions ranging from imbalanced digestion, low energy, burnout, skin conditions, insomnia, women’s health, musculoskeletal pain, and more.
What can I expect in my initial Ayurveda appointment? One thing is for certain—you can expect your practitioner to want to get to know you well. The practice of Ayurvedic Medicine seeks to work with each person as an individual, meaning your appointment and treatment hinges greatly on you, what you are experiencing, and the life you live. With this, you can anticipate your first appointment to include extensive and purposeful questions (about your routine, physical health, emotional health, sleep, energy, digestion, diet, exercise, and more) along with some physical examination (of things such as your tongue, eyes, nails, and pulse). In this time, you’ll learn your dosha, any elemental or doshic imbalances you may be experiencing, and receive recommendations on how to make effective and lasting changes for better well-being. Your practitioner will also take adequate time teaching you the applicable principles of Ayurvedic medicine so you can not only see your world through the lens of Ayurveda but so you can also be in full understanding of the recommendations given.
What does Ayurvedic treatment include? Just as consultations are conducted considering the individual, treatment will also vary from person to person. This often includes recommendations for modifications to one’s routine (daily, nightly, seasonal), sleep hygiene, nutrition, and can also incorporate herbal therapies, breathing exercises, and movement practices. Feeling your best is always an overall goal, yet there’s also an aim to help you live in harmony with nature and aligned with your truest, inner nature. Thus, no Ayurvedic consultation or treatment is complete without providing tools for developing better awareness of yourself, those around you, and the environment with you live.
How often should I see an Ayurvedic Practitioner? If you’re looking to work with a practitioner to heal a particular health condition, it can depend how deeply manifested the imbalance is. If you’re using Ayurveda as a means to maintain health and prevent conditions from occurring, you might benefit from seeing a practitioner 1-2 times a year or at the change of the seasons. And of course, it’s great to see a practitioner any time a new concern arises.
Can I use my insurance? While we are not an in-network provider with any insurance companies and don’t directly bill insurance, we do accept HSA cards as a form of payment.