According to Ayurveda’s ‘Science of Life,’ the term health does not stand only for treating diseases but also for maintaining the health of a healthy person. To promote health certain procedures are followed daily (Dinacharya). Abhyanga treatment (oil massage) is one of the traditional regimens explained in Dinacharya.Abhyangam is the therapeutic intervention of Panchakarma in which the body is treated with usually warm medicated oil. Also, the oil is massaged into the entire body or on particular body parts before bathing. It can also be done using herbal powder, herbal pastes, or ghee. Additionally, it can be beneficial for maintaining health and an approach to adopt healing, relaxation, and treating various diseases.
Benefits of Abhyanga Treatment
- Helps in healing and detoxifying the body, mind, and spirit.
- Helps to increase the blood flow towards the distant parts of the body and avoid overwhelming the heart with a sudden venous return.
- Helps to keep the body warm for maximum absorption of the medicinal oil. This helps reduce your body’s fatigue and relax the muscles.
- Helps to pacify the Vata Doshas (Movement force).
- It helps to provide strength, stamina, pleasure, and perfect sleep.
- Helps to enhance the complexion and the luster of the skin.
- Helps to promote longevity; and nourishes all parts of the body.
Procedure of Abhyanga
Initially, one should start the procedure with Shiro Abhyangam (Head Massage) and then continue to the rest of the body. Further, Abhyangam should be performed in the direction in which the hair follicles run (Anulomana Gati) and towards the direction of the heart. They have also mentioned the specific direction of massage depending on Doshas.
In Kapha Dosha vitiation, massage should be done in a direction opposite to that of body hair (Pratiloma Gati) and alternate Anuloma and Pratiloma Gati in Pitta Dosha vitiation. The warm medicated oil should be applied to the head first in the anterior fontanelle and then the whole scalp.Following, massaging the Ear, Palm, and Feet are done before the main procedure. The medicated oil should be applied uniformly to the body, by the two therapists standing on both sides of the Ayurveda massage table.
Further, a massage of the head is done and subsequently moves down to the neck, shoulders, arms, abdomen, hip joints, and lower back. and lower limbs. The body massage should be performed in seven postures which are: sitting, supine, left lateral, prone, right lateral, supine, and sitting.Prone positioning should be avoided as much as possible in patients with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal. The massage of limb joints should be done circularly and muscles in a linear manner while the umbilicus region is massaged in a circular motion. Bathing afterward is the most advantageous part as it removes impurities from the skin that collect in the oil.
Time and Duration of Abhyanga Treatment
The whole procedure of Abhyangam takes place in approximately 35 to 45 minutes. The procedure is done in seven postures and each posture takes approximately five minutes.
One of the best Ayurvedic treatment centers near Chandigarh, Vaidyaratnam- Vrindavan Ayurveda Chikitsalayam provides various Panchkarma therapies including Abhyangam. Here we offer a wide range of herbal oils for Abhyanga treatment which helps to overcome various chronic ailments like Arthritis, Sports Injuries, Parkinsonism, Frozen Shoulder, Lumbar Spondylitis, Cervical Spondylitis, and many other muscles, joints, and nerve-related disorders.The therapeutic massage is performed by a well-experienced and trained Ayurveda therapist at VVAC. The hospital presents you with a luxury room with a natural view and accommodation facilities in Baddi, near Chandigarh.
