At the District Siddha Hospital, tucked amidst the bustling roads and heritage structures, a stream of patients walks in every day — not for painkillers or surgery referrals, but for traditional Siddha therapies that date back thousands of years. And the results, many say, have been nothing short of healing — not just for the body, but for the spirit.
From Varmam therapy (a pressure point treatment akin to acupuncture) to thokkanam, a form of therapeutic massage using medicated oils, the hospital is seeing a surge in demand, particularly for chronic pain management. Backaches, arthritis, frozen shoulders, joint pain — you name it, they treat it the Siddha way.
“I used to wake up with pain shooting through my lower back every morning,” shares 64-year-old Mariappan, a retired schoolteacher. “Now, after just a few sessions of varmam and herbal steam therapy, I feel like I’ve got my mornings back.”
Doctors and therapists at the Siddha wing say the number of daily patients has increased significantly over the past few months. Many are those who tried conventional allopathic treatments without long-term relief — and are now rediscovering the power of India’s traditional healing systems.
Dr. Merlin Dora, one of the key practitioners at the hospital, is both proud and cautious. “These therapies are deeply rooted in our tradition, but they need to be handled by trained professionals. When done right, they can reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and provide remarkable relief without side effects.”
Interestingly, the Tamil Nadu government has also taken note. In recent years, it has rolled out special training for Siddha doctors in varma therapy and even started extending these services to other government hospitals in districts like Karur and Perambalur. The goal is simple: make these age-old healing methods more widely available — and trusted again.
Still, there are challenges. Some patients report delays due to the unavailability of specific herbal medicines or inadequate staffing during peak hours. But despite the hurdles, trust in Siddha continues to grow.
For now, the District Siddha Hospital in Tiruchi stands as a living bridge between ancient wisdom and modern healthcare needs. And every patient who walks out with a little less pain — and a little more hope — carries forward the legacy of a healing tradition that refuses to be forgotten.