„Ovidius” University of Constanta
Faculty of Medicine
BFKTR
An Ayurvedic Massage
Technique for Healthy Life
Coordinating teacher:
Univ Lecturer Dr. Tataru Oana
Student: Cretu Domnina Teodora, 2nd year
A physician’s knowledge is incomplete without the knowledge of the whole body. In the
ancient ages Abhyanga or oil massage was the inseparable part of daily life because of the
huge benefits it provides to the human body to make it strong and free of disease. It is also a
subtype of Bahya Snehan (external massage), which is a part of Panchakarma therapy. It has
many a qualities for what hardly there may be a few classical texts of Indian origin that have
not mentioned about its practice and qualities. In both therapeutic as well as preventive
purpose is has been used with great results. But with the time changing fast, Abhyanga has
got the worldwide popularity as Ayurvedic massage. In the present era life is running very
fast and to cope up with its ups and downs man has to run faster than his capacity.
At present we are reaching a point where we are becoming increasingly more conscious of our
bodies and the need to keep them in the best possible condition. Staying in the best condition
reflects in all our life’s activities. Daily balancing of our physical state provides not only
maximum performance also a richer emotional life. All the stress and tension of modern
people attract them towards the easily accessible massage therapy centers for a time being
relief. Around 250 types of massage therapies are available all over the world. Ayurveda has
its own stand on the importance of Abhyanga. So it is high time to show some light on this
very much rejuvenating as well as relaxing natural and powerful method of Abhyanga to
establish some facts about it before the world. Though we find with ease in the internet or in
many books various types of methods for ayurvedic massage which have been named as
Abhyanga, there are rare descriptions of actual method of Abhyanga in the classical texts. It
has been said that Abhyanga should be done in Anuloma direction i.e. towards the growth of
hair. We have to keep the point in mind that knowledge of anatomical structures of the body
is a must to give a relaxing and fruitful massage. For this purpose massaging procedures along
with its anatomical explanation should be explained.
Human being can’t live isoltated in an island. Our first contact with the world is through the
sense of touch. The medium, our skin, is the largest surface area as compared to the other
senses. Skin has the capacity to receive varied signals and to respond to them differently. The
sense of touch is the first of the senses to become functional. Touch can be soothing and have
a healing effect. The one who touches also benefits from the experience. One of the ancient
techniques of touching, healing and curing that man has practised over the years is the art of
massage. Using oil in massage has been known since Biblical times. Even before that
Hippocrates prescribed oil anointment.
Massage works on the body on both levels:
• Physical
• Psychological
Physical Rubbing the body produces heat and increases blood circulation, it affects the
lymphatic system and supplies more nourishment to the blood. Psychological Through touch,
massage works on the nervous system and affects the circulation of growth hormones.
Psychological : Through touch, massage works on the nervous system and affects the
circulation of growth hormones.
Ayurveda classics have sufficient descriptions about Abhyanga and its benefits. But there are
no such details about its techniques as they are described in Shloka form. Then with due
course of time commentators of many classics have tried their best to provide some more
explanation of this procedure. Yet with the very advancement of modern science those are
insufficient now. For the present stressful life pattern and for the urban people who hate the
ancient practice of daily oil massage, the need for getting easy relaxation through some
massage therapist has been highly increasing. So for the purpose of giving a crystal view
about what the Abhyanga or Ayurvedic oil massage is and how it benefits us, is to be studied.
Proper knowledge of Shadanga Sharir and its components like Peshi, Asthi, Sira, Dhamani
Kandara, Twacha Marma etc. are of great importance. As their knowledge is the base of any
successful treatment. Although there are several kinds of massage procedures, the basic
knowledge of anatomy is needed for all fruitful therapies. There is no explanation of mode of
action of Abhyanga, hence it has to be explained properly that how does our body react to the
therapy of oil massage.
Maharshi Charaka has mentioned that the physician, who is always conversant with the
various aspects of the entire body, is verily proficient in the Ayurveda which can bring about
happiness to the universe. So we can understand easily that to get healthy happy life,
knowledge of Shadang Sharir is needed. According to Auyrveda science, Sharir is the human
body that keeps on degenerating with time due to some digestion process going on it
continuously. Sharir is the one who destroys itself due to its constant motion. In other
language Sharir has been considered as the vehicle of equilibrium being the dwelling place of
consciousness and comprising the sum of modifications of five great elements.
Therefore when the elements in the body become discordant, the organism suffers affliction
or death. Therefore the discordant tendency of the elements is brought about by their tendency
to hypertrophy or atrophy, whether complete or partial. The human body is composed of six
main parts, namely the four Shakha (upper and lower Extremities), Madhya Sharir (Trunk or
middle body) and Shir (Head and Neck). There are fifty six subsidiary members attached to
these six main members of the body. Now we shall describe the Pratyangas of the body. The
head, the belly, the back, the navel, the bladder and the throat (neck) occur singly. The ears,
the eyes, the nostrils, the eyebrows, the armpits, the breasts, the testis, the sides, the knee
joints etc. occurs in pairs. The fingers and toes which number twenty in all and the Srotas of
the body to be presently described are likewise included within the Pratyanga.
The knowledge of Shadanga Sharir is very important for a physician. For this purpose the
physician must have to acquire the knowledge of anatomy and physiology. In the Vedic
period also we find that the people of that era too were very much attracted towards the
knowledge of human anatomy as in the Atharva veda we find reference of many anatomical
terms. It is understood that the study of the body and its parts was of much importance in
ancient Indian medical tradition. In Susrut Samhita we can find the different parts or members
of the body as mentioned before including even the skin cannot be correctly described by
anyone who is not versed in anatomy. For a thorough knowledge can only be acquired by
comparing the accounts given in the Shastra (books on the subject) by direct personal
observation.
Thus we can say that the knowledge of Shadanga Sharir is very important to apply any kind of
therapy to it. Abhyanga is a rejuvenating procedure and to perform it properly one must have
the knowledge of detailed anatomy, so that no harmful effect is offered by applying it in an
improper way. Role of Twacha (Skin) in Abhyanga According to modern physiology the skin
functions as an enormous sense organ. Its millions of nerve endings serve as receivers for the
body, keeping it informed of changes in the environment. Specialized receptors make it
possible for the body to detect sensations of light touch (Meissners corpuscles) and pressure
(Pacinian corpuscles) as well as pain, heat and cold.
The emotional connection to sensory stimulation has long been understood. The classical texts
describe this stimulation of the senses as both normal and pleasing. This point is made in the
Upanisad and throughout the Bhagavad Gita by Lord Krishna. Acharya Vagbhata warns that
the sense organs should neither be strained very much nor should they be fondled very much.
In the first chapter of Charaka Samhita section on principles one finds a description of how
pain and pleasure inflict the body: “Excessive use, non-use and inappropriate use of time,
intellect and sense objects is the three-fold cause of both mental and physical diseases. Both
body and mind are the locations of diseases as well as pleasures. In a later section we find a
description of this three-fold cause of disease: “Too much indulgence in very hot and very
cold objects and in bath, massage, anointing, etc. is excessive use of tactile objects; total
abstinence from them is negative use; and the application of tactile objects such as hot and
cold etc. without the usual order; and the touch of uneven surfaces, injury, dirty objects,
organisms, etc. is perverted use of tactile objects.
In the section on anatomy Charaka declares that contacting the organ of touch with mind
gives rise to pleasure and pain experiences. Modern physiology gives another view of how
touch can help physiology by bringing pleasure through direct stimulation of the organs of
touch. Massage soothes the two master systems of the body, the nervous system and the
endocrine system mainly. Nervous and endocrine systems are seen as communication systems
connecting all cells with information about what is happening in the body, which provides
knowledge and instructions for control and integration. This pleasure from touching is
mediated through the limbic system which causes the secretion of hormones physically
equivalent to health and happiness. Massage or touching, from the perspective of modern
physiology, has been found to increase secretion of growth hormone.
Concept of Abhyanga in Ayurveda:
Abhyanga means applying oil and lightly massaging the body. Often medicated and usually
warm, the oil is massaged into the entire body before bathing. It can be beneficial for
maintaining health and used as a medicine for certain disorders. It can be incorporated into a
routine appropriate for almost everyone.
Abhyanga therapy is an ancient practice which predates the Vedic period. Early humans
practiced life-sustaining ways for manipulating the body to produce strength, mobility,
flexibility and memory which interlaced with the cosmos.
Aplication of oil to the skin followed by massage in specific directions is well known by the
name Abhyanga in Ayurveda. Massage in specific direction improves blood circulation,
facilitates removal of the toxins from the tissues, relieves physical and mental fatigue,
improves the functioning of musculoskeletal system, clears stiffness and heaviness of the
body and leads to feeling of lightness. It assists development of healthy body, helps in
improvement of body figure, recuperates the body tissues and reduces body weight as well as
fat.
Abhyanga is not a simple procedure of oil application and maneuvers rather it maintains the
excellence of body tissues, if the oil applied is suitable for the Prakriti of the patient. Hence it
is recommended in normal persons for routine daily practice. Further, when the oil is selected
according to the illness in the diseased, it cures the diseases also. Following are some of the
beneficial effects like – Mrijaprada (cleanses dirt), Varnaprada (improves the body
complexion), Twakdardyakara (helps to maintain the elasticity of skin), Vyadhikshamatwa
(restore the natural immunity), Jarahara(rejuvenates body tissues, promotes health and
Prevents aging process), Vatahara (alleviates Vata dosh), Kaphahara (alleviates Kapha dosha),
Abhighata sahyatva (reduces the effect of trauma if any), Kleshasaha (helps to overcome
anxiety as well as stress), Shramahara (relaxes muscle and relieves fatigue),
Balavan(improves the physical strength), Dhatu pushti janana (promotes the excellence of
body tissues), Priyadarshana (beautifies the body figure), Swapna kara (induces sound sleep),
Drishti prasadakar (improves eyesight), Pushtikara (recuperates and nourishes the body
tissues), Ayushkara (by nourishing the body tissues Abhyanga prolongs one’s lifespan.
Abhyanga is an efficient therapeutic as well as health promoting procedure. In spite of these
therapeutic benefits Abhyanga is not ideal to practice in the following conditions like –
Kaphagrastha (suffering from Kaphaja disorders), Ajeerna (suffering from indigestion), Krita
samsudha (who are just subjected to shodhana Procedure), Aama (suffering from Aama
condition), Saamadosha (having vitiated dosha in Aama state), Navajwara (Suffering from
fever of short duration), Santarpana Samutha Roga (diseases caused by over nourishment),
Agnimaandya (suffering from impaired digestive activity).
References:
1. B D Chaurasia's Handbook of General Anatomy (4th Ed) | PDF | Anatomical Terms Of Motion |
Anatomical Terms Of Location (scribd.com)
2. Tortora GJ, Brabowski SR (1996) Principle of Anatomy and Physiology. Harpers Collins College
Publishers, 8th edn.
3. The Art of Massage: A Practical Manual for the Nurse, the Student and the Practitioner: Kellogg,
John Harvey: 9781432617981: Amazon.com: Books
4. Jularani P (2014) Anatomical explanation on method of Abhyanga with special reference to muscle
attachments.
5. Sadashiv TS (2007) Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural secrets of healing, prevention and longevity.
6. Joseph CR, Cherian A, Joseph CT (2012) Role of Abhyanga (oil massage) to lead a healthy life.
Ayurpharm Int J Ayur Alli Sci 1: 163-167
