Savitha Suri explains the uses of massage therapy within Ayurvedic medicine.

Massage has been used remedially for centuries, whereby manually kneading or manipulating the soft tissues can relieve pain, discomfort, and stress, and promote health and wellness. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) defines massage therapy as "a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client".

Massage therapy (abhyanga) is recommended in Ayurveda in the course of treating several diseases. It plays a great role in body detoxification (panchakarma) before starting the core treatment. Usually, ayurvedic herbal oils or aromatic oils are used during massage. The oils are selected according to the condition and objective of massage.

Types of Body Massage

Different kinds of body massage are adopted after analyzing the cause and location of discomfort:

• Face and head massage
• Arms and hand massage
• Legs and feet massage
• Back massage
• Neck and shoulder massage
• Chest massage
• Abdomen massage
• Massage for babies and children
• Massage during pregnancy

Massage techniques

A massage therapist uses 'strokes' and 'pressure' while massaging. Effleurage, petrisage, percussion, friction and vibration are 5 different strokes used while massaging.

• Effleurage strokes are long, gliding and soothing. These strokes are made with the flat surface of the hands. Effleurage strokes increase the circulation and depth of relaxation.
• Petrissage strokes resemble kneading. These strokes are recommended to massage children and elderly people. Skin and muscle surface are rolled or squeezed, gently and firmly by grasping them between thumb and fingers.
• Percussion is carried out using both hands. In this stroke both hands move rapidly and alternatively stimulating the muscles. Percussion can be done with finger tips (tapping), chopping movement of stretched fingers (hacking), cupped hands (cupping), flat opened palms (slapping), and using both fists (pounding).
• Friction strokes are used to treat joints and surrounding areas. Friction breaks adhesions, remove wastes and cleans up congestion. Long, slow, firm strokes or circular movements of the hand are used to move superficial tissues over the deep underlying tissues.
• Vibration strokes stimulate nerves. Hands or fingers are moved back and forth rapidly on soft tissues to shake them. Vibrations are used on buttocks, thighs, upper back etc.

Mild, moderate or heavy pressure is applied during massage, depending upon the part to be massaged and the aim of massage.

The ayurvedic texts illustrate different types of massages for different conditions:

• Udvarthana. Massaging the body in the opposite direction. (According to ayurvedic texts, starting the massage from the head and proceeding downwards is considered conventional. Hence, massages that proceed from palm to shoulder or feet to thighs or hips to neck are opposite in direction.) These massages are performed by exerting little pressure using dry herbs. This kind of massage exfoliates skin, enhances its glow and gives a healthy look. It also helps to reduce bad odour caused by sweat.
• Mardana. Massaging the whole body exerting more pressure is called mardana. This is usually carried out on people who indulge in enhanced physical work (e.g. athletes, sports persons, wrestlers etc.)
• Paadaghata. Paadaghata means massaging by trampling the body with the feet.

Benefits of massage therapy

1. Massage increases the circulation in tissues, releases muscle spasms and stimulates the nervous system or sedates it. Increased circulation pumps more oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
2. It shortens the recovery period of illness or injury.
3. A good massage helps the release of endorphins (natural pain killers in body) and also stimulates lymphatic system, boosting body immunity.
4. It helps relieve muscle tension, stiffness, pain and reduces swelling. Healing speeds up and scar tissue formation is reduced.
5. It increases athletic performance and provides greater joint flexibility.
6. Massage helps reduce discomforts caused by stress related conditions like migraine, tension headache, body pain, tiredness, anxiety, depression, insomnia (sleeplessness) etc. It helps lower the levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
7. It improves the ability to handle stressful situations calmly and efficiently. Massage also enhances thinking and creative abilities.
8. Massage therapy promotes the feeling of wellbeing.

According to Ayurveda, massaging the body daily with ayurvedic herbal oil has innumerable benefits. This is known as abhyanga. In the great ayurvedic classic Ashtanga Hridaya, the benefits of herbal oil massage are documented as follows:

• Aging symptoms appear very late in life
• Balances vata and reduces vata related problems
• Skin becomes fresh, soft, glowing and healthy
• Skin becomes resistant to diseases
• Sharp eyesight and attractive eyes
• Body becomes stronger and well nourished
• The body and mind are relaxed
• Undisturbed sleep
• Increases libido
• Rejuvenates the body.

Acharya Charaka indicates foot massage (padabhyanga) to reduce cracked feet, dry skin on feet, and to relieve tiredness and foot pain. The flexibility of the foot increases with massage.

Precautions and Prohibitions

According to ayurvedic texts, massage should not be carried out for those suffering from fever, diarrhea, vomiting and indigestion and during pregnancy. Usually therapists do not massage a person if they have a fever, skin eruptions, large bruises, inflamed joints, sensitive veins, varicose veins, tumours, are menstruating, have indigestion, nut allergy, appendix problems (2yr/6m), dislocated shoulder, or vertebral problems. The person should not wear contact lenses or consume alcohol or over-eat during or shortly before a massage.

Before going for a massage, check whether the massage therapist is qualified or not. An unqualified massage therapist may cause more harm than relief.

©2007 Dr. Savitha Suri. All rights reserved. Published with permission on 09-Jun-08.