It’s been a rough couple of years for former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.
After revealing that he was still suffering from symptoms of long COVID and CIRS back in February 2023, the 36-year-old was forced to step away from the game. While he hasn’t officially retired, Toews remains an unrestricted free agent.
However, the Winnipeg native seems to be in better spirits these days. Toews took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an update on his condition. In doing so, he revealed that he’s also been taking part in a healing journey on the other side of the globe.
With a carousel of photos from his travels, the centreman revealed that he’s spent the last five weeks on a “healing journey” in India.
“As some of you may know, I’ve been on a bit of a healing journey. I’ve had many ups and downs, brief moments of hope working with a whole bunch of different doctors and modalities, followed by doubting if things would ever improve,” Toews wrote at the beginning of his lengthy caption. “I recently spent five weeks in India undergoing an Ayurvedic detox called a Panchakarma, and I’m happy to say things are trending.
So, what does the detox entail?
According to the Ayurvedic Institute’s website, a typical Panchakarma treatment consists of five cleansing procedures: laxatives, herbal enemas, vomiting therapies, nasal rinsing, and phlebotomy. A typical cleanse can last up to 28 days.
Toews claims it’s done wonders for his immune system and overall health.
“It’s been almost five years of searching for a way to heal the inflammatory and immune system issues that took me out of hockey,” he added. “The wisdom of Ayurveda has taught me that everything I experience, I am responsible for. Not only did it teach me better diet choices specific to my body type, it has deepened my intuitive relationship with myself and the world around me.”
As for whether the three-time Stanley Cup champion will return to the game, that remains uncertain.
Selected third overall by the Blackhawks in the 2006 NHL Draft, Toews has spent his entire career with the team. Across 1,067 games, he tallied 372 goals and 511 assists. In 2017, he earned a spot on the list of the NHL’s 100 greatest players of all time.