ABHYANGA - TRADITIONAL MASSAGE OF BODY WITH WARM MEDICATED OIL

 

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is defined as an Ayurvedic procedure of application of sneha dravyas over body with certain of (very mild) pressure in specific directions. It can be applied to the whole body or locally. Many of the prevalent modern massage techniques are the modified forms of Abhyanga. These are developed from Keraleeya Kalari Chikitsa, Kathakali massage and martial arts. Hygienic massage is simply ‘OIL BATH’ that can be done generally all over the body daily. While sports massage mainly meant for the fitness of athletes, therapeutic massage is specially indicated for specific disease conditions.

 

Materials Required

1	Oil/Medicated oil	100-150 ml
2	Vessel	200 ml capacity
3	Tissue paper/Soft towel	Q.S.
4	Green gram powder/Medicated snana churna /Medicated soap	Q.S.
5	Masseurs	Whole body - 2
		Ekanga - 1
		Children below 10 year - 1

 

Pre Operative Procedure

Oil in kharapaka or madhyamapaka should be selected according to climate, prakriti and disease condition of the patient. The oil heated up to 38⁰C – 44⁰C. For Siroabhyanga, Lukewarm oil is selected.

Procedure

Patient should be seated on the DRONI/wooden table, with leg extended. The oil with optimum temperature should be applied to head, first in the anterior fontanellae and then the whole scalp.

Then Karnabhyanga should be done, Palm and Padabhyanga are also done prior to the main process. The oil heated should be applied uniformly by two therapists on both sides of droni (Panchakarma table). Start massaging scalp, head and move down to neck, upper back, shoulders, upper arms, forearms and hands; then chest, abdomen, low back, lower limbs.

Abhyanga should be done in sitting, supine, right lateral, left lateral positions. Prone position can also be adopted in the case of low back ache. Avoid prone position in patients with chronic diseases of lung, heart, GIT. Upper back should be massaged in upward down direction. Limb joints should be massaged in circular manner and muscles in linear manner. Umbilical region is massaged in circular manner.

 

Supine position :-	U. Limbs, Shoulder & Neck, Umbilical region, Lower limbs & region from sternum to flanks are more concentrated.
Left lateral :-	Back, Lower limb & Hip are more concentrated.
Rt. Lateral :-	Back, Right limb & Hip.
If prone :-	Mild spinal massage is given.

 

At the end of the procedure the medicine on the body should be wiped off with tissue paper/towels.

 

Duration of Abhyanga Procedure

Usually 45 minutes to 1 hour

 

Post Operative Procedure

Patient should take complete rest for 15 minutes in comfortable position after Abhyanga. Patient can take bath in lukewarm water with suitable medicated soap or snana churna. Rasnadi churna should be applied on head after snana. When the patient feels appetite, take light food according to illness, digestive power and satmya. If the patient is indicated for swedana, proper swedana should be done immediately after Abhyanga before bath.

 

Clinical Vital Data

It is better to record body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate etc. before and after the procedure. Biochemical and Pathological investigations are also to be carried out.

 

Some Benefits of Abhyanga

Ø     Promotes circulation

Ø     Softens & strengthens the skin

Ø     Relieves ama/toxins

Ø     Nourishes the body

Ø     Promotes skin health

Ø     Improves digestion

Ø     Energizes body and mind

Ø     Supports sleep

Ø     Postpones aging