HEALTH SWARAJ:
Inside the curious world of Delhi’s bone-setter Pahalwans
They call themselves Pahalwans but they are bone-setters who run ‘orthopedic clinics’ where they offer traditional treatment for problems from fractures to muscle spasm to stiff shoulder.
Updated: Nov 13, 2017, HT
Satish Kumar Midda, better known as Hari Pahalwan, at his clinic in Old Delhi.
(Vipin Kumar/HT PHOTO)
No X-ray machines, no casts, no forceps. Most work with bare hands
with a pair of scissors being the only the equipment. Curiously, their
clinics – there are many of them in places such as Mahipalpur near the
airport, Shahdara in east Delhi, Uttam Nagar in west Delhi – flaunt
large flex signboards with photographs of WWF wrestlers with bandaged
hands and legs. Many feel these Pahalwans are quacks but there are
others who swear by their ‘expertise’. In fact, at some clinics, such as
Ghuggi Pahalwan’s in Shahadra, the waiting time can be up to four
hours.
Almost all of them have had no formal training and claim to
rely on ‘wisdom and experience’ received from their forefathers. And
they all call themselves Pahalwans – though most have never been a
wrestler.
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But orthopedicians are not quite amused. Mention ‘Pahalwan’ and Dr Atul
Vaish, vice-president, Delhi Orthopedic Association, says. “They are
just quacks and do more harm than good. There are no ifs and buts about
it. For them every bone-related problem is a case of dislocation. Their
methods are unscientific and highly questionable,” he says. “You need to
understand the anatomy of a person to carry out any manipulation. And
for that you need formal training.”
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