DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THERAPEUTIC PRACTICES AND TREATMENT MODALITIES AMONG TRADITIONAL PRACTITIONERS IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT

Background: Traditional medical systems employ diverse therapeutic practices including internal medicines, external applications, and manual treatment modalities. These practices continue to play a vital role in disease management at the community level. Aim: To document and analyze the therapeutic practices and treatment modalities followed by traditional practitioners in Tirunelveli district. Materials and Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted among ten traditional practitioners using face-to-face interviews with a pre-planned questionnaire. Snowball sampling technique was employed. Data related to internal medicines, external therapies, and treatment modalities were documented and analyzed. Results: The majority of practitioners practiced both internal and external therapies. Herbal-based internal medicines such as karkam, kudineer, and choornam were predominantly used. External therapies including pattru, ennai application, and manual procedures such as varmam and thokkanam were commonly practiced for musculoskeletal, dermatological, and neurological disorders. Conclusion: Traditional practitioners follow a holistic therapeutic approach combining medicinal and manual therapies. Documentation and scientific validation of these practices are essential for ensuring safety, standardization, and integration into contemporary healthcare.