Massage:
Ayurveda Ayurvedic Dictionary on Massage and its remedial effects
Massage and its remedial effects Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat. It also speeds up blood circulation. The literal meaning of 'massage' is manipulation of the soft tissues of the body using the hands. In naturopathy, massage occupies a very important place in the treatment of diseases of all kinds. For centuries, massage has been used as a remedy in India, Greece, Rome, China, Egypt and a host of other countries. Procedure According to the modern system of physiotherapy, the process begins with massaging upper limbs (arms) and lower limbs (legs) followed by the chest, abdomen, back and hips, and ending with the face and the head. As far as possible, massage with the hands to derive complete benefit. According to modern therapy, the massage strokes are directed towards the heart. According to Ayurdeva, massage is known as snehan (oleation) and should be given to a patient before panchakarma treatment. Panchakarmas are the five basic principles to clean and detoxify or purify the body. They are: · Vamana (emesis) · Virechana (puragation) · Nruha (medicated anema) · Anuvasana (unctuous anema - · preparation with oil or other unctuous substance) · Nasya (inhalation therapy) Massage should always be followed by svedana (fermentation). Snehana and svedana are the two purvakarmas that should be given before panchakarma treatment. Benefits 1. Massage is used to improve blood circulation, to reduce oedema, adhesions in tissues after injury, reduce muscular spasm and improve muscle tone. 2. Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat. 3. It also speeds up blood circulation, hence reducing swelling (oedema), relieving tension of the nerves and soothing them. 4. It stimulates the digestive system and activates the urinary system. Rules on massage oil 1. For patients with pains, use Narayan Taila, or Mahanarayan Taila. 2. For weakness, use Narayan Taila, Chandan Bala Lakshdi Taila. 3. For patients with joint pains (rheumatism), use Saindhavadi Taila. 4. For patients with burning sensation problems and sleeplessness, use Bhringraj Taila and Brahmi Taila. 5. For patients with skin diseases, use Kushthararakshas Taila, Nimba Taila and Bakuchi Taila. Massage produces heat. After half an hour of getting a massage done, a hot water bath or shower can be taken. The head should be bathed with lukewarm water. Contraindications 1. Massage is not recommended in any type of fevers. 2.Massage is not recommended during pregnancy. 3.Abdominal massage should be avoided in case of diarrhoea, ulcers, appendicities and tumours in the abdomen. Excessive oil after massage should be removed with gram flour (besan) and not with soap. Peeli mitti (Indian yellow clay) is also excellent for washing the body. It has a cooling effect on the skin and nerves. . . For more articles on Massage , see: Massage , Ayurveda, Body Mind and Soul or Alternative Medicine . . The definition and meaning of Massage is extracted from the home page of All Ayurveda - Worlds first portal on Ayurveda "Life seems to have come a full circle in case of certain aspects of medicinal science. The focus today having shifted back from an all-dominating Allopathy to the traditional, natural systems of health that had served humankind well prior to its advent. Quite understandably, Ayurveda, with nearly 500 million adherents and as part of a projected $62 billion industry worldwide, has been staging a strong comeback. An ancient holistic system of medicine, it uses a vast range of natural herbs and minerals to tackle ailments - herbs that assure relief or progress without any side effects. Intensive laboratory and clinical research has helped in further improvement. Playing a stellar role in that has been an organisation that is better known by its brand name Baidyanath. With a basket of over 700 ayurvedic and herbal products produced in 10 hi-tech manufacturing units with state-of-the-art research facilities all over India, Baidyanath's more than eight decades of experience puts it in an unequalled position of leadership in this field. The vast treasure of knowledge shared with rest of the world through nearly fifty books." Please visit http://www.allayurveda.com for more information. . . . Arc5: 318 317 316 315 314 313 312 311 310 309 308 307 306 305 304 303 302 Arc6: 301 300 299 298 297 296 295 294 293 292 291 290 289 288 287 286 285
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