Ayurvedic Massage with Oil

Ayurveda is all about the science of holistic healing and it involves a complete plan to achieve the perfect health for all individuals. Despite the fact that it originated thousands of years ago, Ayurveda is equally pertinent in the current scientific world.

The Ayurvedic Massage takes away all physical suffering, controls several dreaded disabilities, wards off the middle age syndrome, retards the aging process and provides unlimited curative powers for body and mind by repairing the worn out tissues. It revitalizes the body, increases memory power, improves vigour and vitality and makes physically and mentally fit.

Ayurveda massage techniques provide relaxation, circulation and elimination of toxins. If adopted as a daily practice, Ayurvedic massage techniques can even help to rejuvenate the body. In ancient times, Ayurvedic practitioners and clinics did not commonly offer massages, as everybody gave and received it. Only when patients needed a particular treatment
were they referred to specialists that used the appropriate Ayurvedic techniques.

Ayurveda Massage techniques can also help to maintain a loving relationship between husband and wife. After this kind of soothing relaxation, it is easier to share and give love. Before a marriage an Ayurveda massage is one of the few ceremonies in the Hindu tradition that is compulsory even today so that bride and groom are especially beautiful on their wedding day.

Therapeutic Treatment
In allopathic medicine there is no proper treatment for diseases such as arthritis, spondylitis, lumbago, slip disc, frozen shoulder, stress & strain, sciatica etc. A variety of result-proven procedures are available in Ayurvedic medicine namely Pizhichil, Njavarakizhi, Abhayangam, Shirodhara, Shirovasti, Elakizhi, Ubatan etc. for treating such problems.

Pizhichil
Pizhichil is a relaxing, soothing and rejuvenating Ayurvedic treatment with medicated warm oil which is poured in a continuous stream for a definite period over the whole body (excluding head & neck). It is used to effectively treat arthritis, ageing, general weakness, paralysis etc. ‘Pizhichil’ and ‘Sarvangadhara’ are technically the same. ’Pizhichil’ literally means ‘squeezing’. Here, warm medicated oil is squeezed over the patient’s body from a piece of cloth that is periodically dipped in a vessel containing the oil. Pizhichil is recommended for diseases caused by a vitiation of the Vata humour - Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia), paralysis and muscle spasms – and other degenerative diseases that affect the muscles.


Njavarakizhi
Njavarakizhi is a therapy for all types of rheumatism, pain in the joints, wasting of muscles, skin disorders, convalescence period of injury and trauma, arthritis, general weakness, paralysis etc. After the application of medicated oil, your entire body is made to perspire by a whole body massage using medicated milk-porridge made into a bundle. It is an immuno-enhancing rejuvenation therapy. In addition to being a cure for various ailments, Navarakizhi revitalises your skin and makes it glow.

Shirodhara
Shirodhara is a unique Ayurvedic treatment where specific medicated oils are used to bathe the head in a regular stream for a definite period. It is an effective therapy for mental relaxation and cures insomnia, stress, depression, decreased mental agility etc. When medicated buttermilk replaces oil, the therapy is called Takradhara.

Shirovasti
Shirovasti is considered more of a palliative (Shamana) treatment than an eliminative (Shodhana) one. The treatment is usually preceded by oiling (Snehana) and sudation (Swedana). A leather sleeve of about six to eight inches in length is placed on the head of the patient and a band tied around the forehead to keep it in place. Kneaded dough is used to line the inside of this sleeve and ensure that it does not leak. Oil is then poured into the sleeve and allowed to remain on the head for a while. The length of time the oil should be kept there is determined by the severity of the disease. Usually it is up to fifty minutes for diseases caused by severe Vata disorders. This type of vasti improves the sensory functions. It also promotes kaphagenic secretions in the para-nasal sinus zone which reduce vascular congestion in the brain. This treatment is prescribed for disorders like facial paralysis, cataract, deafness, earache, insomnia and other diseases that afflict the cranial nerves. Shirovasti is extremely useful in vascular headaches, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorders, memory loss, disorientation, glaucoma and sinus headaches.

Abhyangam
Abhyangam is a general Ayurvedic massage therapy for rejuvenation. This total body massage with herbal medicated oil is used to massage the body with specific implications to the 107 vital points (marmas) of the body. It helps to give better circulation, muscular tone, mental tranquility and better health maintenance. It tones up your skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. It increases Ojas (primary vitality) and thereby increases the resistance of your body. In addition to being beneficial for your eyes, Abhyanga gifts you with sound sleep. This is also a cure for rheumatism.

Elakizhi
Elakizhi is a therapy for revitalizing the skin. Herbal poultices are prepared with various herbs and medicated powder. Your entire body is massaged with these poultices after they are warmed in medicated oils. This promotes circulation and increases perspiration which in turn helps the skin eliminate the waste, thereby improving skin tone. It is also used to tackle joint pain, muscle cramps, stress and arthritis.

All the above-mentioned Ayurvedic treatments can be done in a perfectly healthy person as well so as to enhance his/her immunity, vitality and longevity of life. The above treatments can be offered in different combinations according to the physician’s direction. Each of these combinations gives a curative and rejuvenating effect after being undergone for definite periods and repeating at definite intervals.

Ubatan
Ubatan is a Beauty Massage. It is used to help the aged and special techniques have been developed for young mothers as well as babies.

Indian traditional Ayurvedic massage techniques are based on the Ayurvedic doshas and marmas (pressure points like in reflexology). Specific Ayurvedic massage therapies are used in certain therapeutic treatments like in Panchakarma purification.

If you would like to experience different ayurvedic massages and ayurvedic treatments, you are welcome to come to a Yoga and Ayurveda retreat to the Ashram.