Dr R K ANJALI responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire:
Why and how did you think of becoming a doctor?
It was always my childhood dream to be a doctor. I focused on it and made it my primary professional option though I had other alternative choices.
What made you think of, study and specialise in the system of medicine you now practice?
I wanted to enrol for MBBS, initially, or at the outset, but destiny had other plans for me. So, I embarked on my academic and professional journey in Ayurveda. There was no looking back; I love the ancient, yet modern, science of Ayurveda, and the quintessential, also expansive, knowledge in it. My source of inspiration is my guru, Dr Niranjan Rao. It’s because of him I developed the passion, also quest, for in-depth understanding in and practice of Ayurveda and to be a good Ayurveda physician.
What has been your personal and professional experience as a doctor?
As a doctor — balancing my personal and professional life. It is a tough balancing act, yes, but it is essential to have the equilibrium. At the personal level, I’m certainly in a good position to take care of my family’s health concerns — this is imperative in the present dispensation, and also at all times. Professionally too, I’ve cherished the whole journey, as also new experiences.
What unique and special skills you think you have that has made the big difference for your patients?
My natural ability and skill in counselling the patient well, and gaining their trust. This is vital for any treatment to work. This, I feel, has made a big difference.
What is your best definition of optimal wellness and why?
Living a quality, disease-free life is what I call optimal wellness. People tend to live ‘too short’ and die ‘too long.’ We ought to concentrate on our well-being from our formative years and make it a habit all through life.
Your best case?
A 30-year-old lady with complaints of severe shoulder, joint and neck pain, with stiffness. Her CRP [C-Reactive Protein] was a tad high. I put her on vaitarana basti for just four days. She had complete relief from pain and was back to normal. That was the quickest turnaround treatment time that I’ve seen in a patient, till date. I was delighted. So was she.
Your ‘not-so-good’ case?
A 63-year-old old male patient with inveterate osteoarthritis of the knee joints, along with obesity. I was not able to give him the requisite relief.
What appeals to you the most?
A sincere and dedicated patient.
What annoys you the most?
Patients haggling, or quibbling, with dietary changes to be made.
Your favourite book?
Charaka Samhita
Your favourite joke?
A patient asking: does this Ayurveda medicine have side-effects, when they are okay with having every junk-food outside without second thoughts? This ‘sounds’ like a joke to me.
Your favourite song?
Any soft melodious number.
Your favourite movie?
The Karate Kid
Your favourite TV, Netflix show?
Grey’s Anatomy
Your other interests, or hobbies?
Reading, painting, and volleyball.
Your goal in life?
To build awareness in people at an early age about healthy lifestyle, rather than repenting later, more so after getting a disease. I also believe in the timeless aphorism: if you do not make time for your health today, you will be forced to make time for your illness later. I resolutely believe in the integrative approach for good preventative and therapeutic outcomes — Ayurveda, yoga, diet and nutrition. I’d also love to do my humble bit to create awareness about lifestyle disorders — a major long-term cause for one’s diminished, or compromised, quality of life [QoL].
