Vedas are expe-riences of individuals,recorded and trans-formed one generationto another generation. Itis not necessary tocheck whether Sunrises only from East orWest. If the regularly ris-

ing Sun changes his position and rises fromWest, it becomes News. Various facts of lifeare recorded in the form of Hymns and doc-trines in Vedas. Such doctrines speak abouthappy and healthy living in accordance withnature. The Upaveda (sub-veda) of Adharvaveda, Ayurveda explains ways of perfect liv-ing in purified form as regimens of day, nightand seasons. Regularity in practice of purityleads to the destination of mankind. It maybe materialistic or philosophical. If a personmear wish to have materialistic benefits byfollowing the rules of purity, certainly it offers.But such purity is lacking holistic approach,where mind body co-ordination is not seen.This non co-ordination leads ones to suffer-ing. Co-ordination benefits to attain eternity,as a process of holistic approach in associa-tion with materialistic benefits.Few assumptions about the purity are -1. The physical body is constricted by onlyelements and they are subjected for impurityall the time.2. Multiple cells in a regular pattern constrictthe physical body, which are going to be ex-pressed is offspring’s too.3. There is no involvement of mind purity, onlyphysical purity is sufficient to have a healthybody.4. Ego and states of personality doesn’t haveany influence on construction of purified body.5. Impurity development in the body is nec-essary and natural.

Root of Ayurveda developed from twoindividual words Ayu and Veda. Ayu means

life, veda means knowledge, togetherAyurveda deals with knowledge of life. LIFE,when it is elaborated it can be “ Living In FineEcstasy “ or living with happiness in coordi-nation with nature. Charaka explains the lifeas unification of body (Shareera), sensoryorgans (Indriya), mind (Manas) and soul(Atma).

The main motto of Ayurveda is to keepan individual hail healthy with regimens ex-plained within the texts. The Ayurveda caresabout not only physical health but also psy-chological. The health can be physical orpsychological.

Healthy person (Swastha) is definedby the Susruta as whoever maintains thethree body humors (Tridosha), equilibrate di-gestive fire (includes other panchaBhootagnis, Dhatwagnis - tissue fires andJatharagni or the main digestive fire), properevacuation of urine and stools (Mala), with fairsoul, sensory organs and mind. To maintainhealth Ayurveda dictated regimens accordingto the day, night and season. The normalfunctions in human are always maintenanceof Doshas in accordance with diets. All thefood materials may be of animal or plant ori-gin leads to either aggravation or subsidizingof the three humors, which may even haveits effect over the mind. Not only the food habitsbut also other exogenous factors such asseasons also responsible for the alteration ofthe body humors. The other factors are en-dogenous which always alters the state ofhumors in the body there by no time all theTridosha are in the state of perfect equilibra-tion. Thus the state of perfect health is notpossible at any time in the body. For the al-tered state of Doshas to maintain in equili-bration we need a specific elimination proce-dures when they are subjected to aggrava-tion. Usually palliative or Shamana therapy isbeing prescribed with out elimination espe-cially when the patient is not fit for the cleans-

Abhyanga – An external Oilation therapy

SCIENTIFIC APPROACH OF ABHYANGA (MASSAGE) IN AYURVEDADr.K. Siva Rama Prasad

ing procedure. Who ever seek the perfecthealth by rooting out the Disease State pre-fers the elimination therapy under the condi-tions of fitness.

Massage is not a new concept. It isthe earliest known form of healing developedover years of constant observation. Almostevery culture has employed massage, includ-ing Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Japanese,Chinese, Swedish and the Ayurvedic man-age by Indians. What are described additionaltechniques here comes under Naturopathysystem of healing is a muscular manipula-tive Swedish oriental technique.

Massage is a systematic rubbing andmanipulation of the body to prevent stiffness,promoting circulation and positive health.Massage is one of the most valuable of re-medial measures. When combined with wa-ter treatment accomplishes wonderful results.Basis of massage is touch, and there is aincreasing medical evidence to show thegreat value of touch.OILATION:

The Abhyanga or system of massagein Ayurveda gives its message to achieve abetter perfect health in normal and diseasedstate. This massage even though practicedwith out unctuous material it is preferred todo with unctuous materials under differentexplained methods, as it produces lubrica-tion. The unctuous quality is in Sneha Dravyaand its use is said as snehana or Oleation.Oleation is made for the externally to createsoftness. Snehapana is a special internalOleation therapy meant as pre Panchakarmaprocedure. This procedure is specially to getthe Doshas, which are in Sakha (tissues) toKosta (Alimentary canal). Here SnehaDravyas (either Ghee, Oil, Tallow, Bone mar-row or a combination of above) are given in-ternally in specific dose for a prescribed pe-riod or externally used for Abhyanga for thesaid effect.

Sneha derived from “Sniha” whichmeans adhesion, sticky, wettish, unctuous,oily and bending or an unctuous liquid. Snehais defined as affection, oily, oil, and softness,which runs, which flows, liquidy and soft. Outof five maha bhootas or basic elements, onlyAp (water) maha bhoota having unctuous-

ness but it is not perceived by eye. Sneha isexplained as perceived by eye, which is aquality of Agni mahabhoota. According toSusruta it consists of Pridhvi (Earth) and Ap(water) elements in it, there by it also can beperceived by the skin also. Because of theearthy element, it should and must have evena common smell but it is not observed suchand they have their own smells of different.

The Abhyanga is said to be an exter-nal Oleation (Bahya sneha) therapy describedin dinacharya, ritu charya and also in SnehaVicharana i.e. roots of administration of unc-tuousness.

Initially when human are developing,they were learned about the importance ofpressure and its effect. They realized that thepressure can give relief from pain and it canbe used as a therapeutic technique. As ex-ternally to purify the body they were taking bathwith water. In that process they observed theunctuousness of water and searched for abetter unctuous medicinal effective sub-stance. The Oil i.e. Til oil was said to be thebest unctuous and have the effect of nullify-ing or pacifying the Doshas which are in thevitiated condition.

Cross-references and usage of mas-sage is witnessed in Bible and practiced byHypocrites, Galen, Pare and most famousphysicians of western medicine.

MENTION OF ABHYANGA IN SEASONALREGIMEN:

In almost all seasons exceptGreeshma (only lepa) in all other seasonsAbhyanga is recommended as Abhyanga,Utsadana or Pragharshana.QUALITIES OF SNEHA (ABHYANGA)DRAVYAThere are nine qualities explained byCharaka. They are –

1. Drava - liquid2. Sookshama - minuteness3. Sara - flowing4. Snigdha - unctuous5. Pichila - gelatinous6. Guru - heavy7. Seeta - cold8. Manda - slow9. Mrudu - soft

Out of the above said qualities some are notseen in many of the Sneha Dravyas.CONTRA INDICATIONS FOR ABHYANGA:

AjeernaAma PeeditaTaruna jwaraPeople suffer from Kapha predominantdisordersAll Kapha personalitiesSantarpana janya diseasesAfter VastiAfter VamanaAfter Virechana

CLASSIFICATION OF ABHYANGA:1. According to materials used2. According to region3. According to pressure exerted4. According to Guna of dravya1. Based on the materials used: First clas-sification of Abhyanga is based on the director indirect methods based on the materialsused. In tradition people use it as Daivavyapashraya Chikitsa especially for inflamma-tory conditions offered massage with metalrods apart from a standard medicinal oil mas-sage. These metal substances are not unc-tuous but soft. Pressure is exerted with themgive rise reasonable results. This group con-sists of medicinal oil massage in associationwith manual pressure. This can be dividedinto two once again, either by using hands orlegs.A. Daiva vyapashraya Abhyangaa) by using metallic objects - Iron rods

b) by using non metallic objects - Four variet-ies of unctuous substanceB. Yukti vyapashraya Abhyangaa) by using hands massage - lepa, abhyanga,etc.b) by using legs – Padaghata2. According to the site of operation : Sec-ond classification defined according to the siteof operation of massaging. It is divided intotwo sub groups as regional or local and gen-eral. In local it can be further divided in to or-gan based and site based. Siro abhyanga,padabhyanga are explained in this context. InAyurveda no reference of organ based mas-sage but with interpretation to marma therapywe can adopt organ massage as being donein some areas of the world. For the generalor sarvadaihika abhyanga the seven standardpostures are used for 35 minits. When everlocal abhyanga is indicated only 15 minuts oraccording to the requirement one can opt thetime schedule.A. General Abhyanga - sarvadaihikaB. Local or Regional Abhyanga a) Organ massage - kidney massage b) Site wise massage - padabhyanga3. According to the pressure applied thedivision is as follows.1. lepa - application of oil over the body2.Abhyanga - application of unctuous sub-stances along with necessiate pressure3. Udvartana or shareera parimarjana - re-verse application of pressure4. Udghrshana - rubbing with ununctuoussubstances (Rookshana vidhi)5. Utsadana - rubbing of unctuous pasts6. Mardana - application of more pressuretowards midline of body7. Unmardana - holding and pulling of themuscles

4. According to Guna of DravyaIt is clear that we use unctuous ma-

terial for the Abhyanga. Out of such materi-als Ayurveda offers four best unctuous ma-terials viz. Taila, Ghrita, Vasa and Majja (Oil,Ghee, Tallow and Marrow). Based on thequalities of the material used it gives effectover the doshic triad. A qualified and experi-enced physician selects the materials ac-cording to the necessity in association to thespecified Dravya or Dravya vargas which arecapable of pacifying the Doshas and dis-eases.

a. Oilb. Gheec. Tallowd. Marrow

POSTURES OF ABHYANGA: There areseven postures for proper Abhyanga.

1. Sitting2. Supine (lay on back)3. Left lateral4. Dorsal (lay on abdo-men)

5. Right lateral6. Supine (lay onback)7. Sitting

TIMING OF ABHYANGA:According to Dalhana, commentator ofSusruta Samhita has given elaborated sci-entific explanation about Abhyanga. Dailymassage of -300 matras = 95 sec. Enters into Hair fol-licles400 matras = 133 sec. enters into Skin500 matras = 160 sec. enters into Rakta600 matras = 190 sec. enters into Mamsa700 matras = 228 sec. enters into Medas800 matras = 245 sec. enters into Asti900 matras = 285 sec. enters into Majja

He did not specify how much timeAbhyanga to be done in case of Sukra gataVyadhi. But we can consider with above ma-terial, further Abhyanga can lead to Sukra. Ifwe follow above schedule it takes approxi-mately 5 minutes for each posture Abhyangaand totally 35 minutes. When it is to be donefor only one part then 15 minutes massage isrecommended.BEFORE THE START OF MASSAGE (1) Massage should be done in a comfort-

able environment. Choose a warm, peacefulroom with dim lights, with light music at thebackground.(2) Person who takes massage to be madeto lie down on a table with height does notstrain the back of the massagerRULES FOR MASSAGER1. One who gives massage should be abso-lutely relaxed.2. Massager should keep the back straightthroughout massage.3. Massager should never stay in one posi-tion for long to avoid gravitational pull.4. Should wear loose fitting, washable clothes,flat shoes, or go barefoot.5. Massager should use the weight of the bodyto give rhythm and depth of massage.6. Hands and wrists of the massager shouldbe flexible and warm.TIPS FOR A GOOD MASSAGE1. Most important element of massage isrhythm.2. Massage should be pleasurable constantlykeep inquiring to find out any of the move-ments that is painful or unpleasant.

Sitting

Supine

Leftlateral

RightLateral

3. Mould your hands to the cantor of the body.4. One hand should be always in contact withthe body of the person who takes massagethroughout.5. Vary the pressure as per the need of theperson.6. Concentration on massage is importantshould not talk unnecessarily while massag-ing.7. A massager should be totally relaxed whilemassaging.8. One should not worry if movements seenchimsy with continuation the rhythm develops.PRECAUTIONS

1. Massage should not be given if one is suf-fering infection, contagious skin disease orhigh fever.2. Massager should not massage if he hasfever or infections disease.3. Massage should not be given incase ofacute pains of the muscles and joints.4. Never massage a burse, skin infection orabscess, or inflammatory conditions of lowerlimbs such as thrombophlebitis, vericoseveins.5. Stomach of pregnant women would not bemassaged.MASSAGE SEQUENCEMassage sequence should always follow thisorder:1. Lubricate the part to be massaged.2. Massage the left foot, do left ankle jointmovements3. Massage the leg4. Do knee joint and hip joint movements5. Massage the right foot, do right ankle jointmovements.

6. Massage the entire right leg and do rightknee and hip joint movements7. Massage the entire left hand, followed bywrist, allow, and shoulder joints movements.8. Massage the entire right hand followed bywrist, elbow, shoulder joint movements.9. Massage the abdomen,10. Massage the chest.11. Massage the entire back12. Massage head, neck, and face followedneck movements.DURATIONForm 30 to 45 minutes.BASIC TECHNIQUESA) STROKING: Flowing movements of strok-ing form the basic of a massage and it is mostfrequently used one. It is a smooth upwardmovement is done in 4 ways.

a) UP WORD STROKING: place one handon the part to be massaged move the otherhand in upward direction keep making con-tinuous movements with one hand at a timewith both hands.

b) FAN STROKING: Done on wider area likechest abdomen and back. Glide both hands

slightly in upward direction and slightly pullthe hands to sides’ fan out your hands andagain return to original place. Continue thismovement 3-4 timesc) CIRCULAR STROKING: Place bothhands on one side of the body with 15 cmapart, then stroke round and round in widecurves, making a circle, Arms cross as onehand completes the circle. One hand doeswhole circle while the other does only half acircle. Keep one hand over the other arm, andcontinue stroking with the other hand. Placeyour hand gently on the skin and repeat.d) THUMB STROKKING: On smaller areas,stroke with thumbs, either with one thumb or

both the thumbs.B) FRICTION: Friction bests done with thefour fingers, but can be done with just thethumbs or the palm of the hand. These arecircular movements that go deep into themuscle. There are rotary and spiral frictions.

These friction movements are best givenaround joints, shoulder blades, and soles offeet hands and legs.a) Rotary friction: Place both hands on the

area to be massaged and roll gently in theupward directionb) Spiral friction: Place one hand around thearea to be massaged and more in the direc-tion resembles a spring.C) PERCUSSION: Percussion movements

are striking, slicing, backing, chopping move-ments done in a rapid rhythmic motion. Theyare brisk and bouncy, useful on fleshy, bulky,

muscular areas. Never percussion move-ments on bonny areas never percussionmovements on bonny areas. Percussionmovements are further divided into varieties.a) Clapping: Hold both hands like a cup andkeep rhythmically tapping one hand at a timecontinuously and rhythmically, in upward di-

rection.b) Tapping: Hold both hands with soles ofthe hands facing each other and gently overone hand after other with finger tapping thearea gently and rhythmically with bonny move-ments.c) Hacking: Holding both the hands firmly to-gether, loosening the wrist loosely start hit-ting the area hard and movements be bonnyin upward direction

d) Pummeling: Form hands into loose fistsand with relaxed wrist start beating with bonny

movements with softer side of fist.D) POUNDING: With your fists loosely held,using hard, bonny movements start knockingon the fleshy part of the body with knucklesside of fist.

E) KNUCKLING: Knuckling is small circlingstrokes employed on shoulders, chest, palmsand feet for relief or treatment. Cure the handinto loose fists and with the knuckles of thefist move round in circular movements.F) VIBRATIONS: Rapid shaking or tremblingmovement on the skin’s surface without brak-ing the contact. Fingers or the palm of thehand is used there are few variations in themovement.a) Static vibration: Keep the palm of thehand on the bulky fleshy area and give a gentleshaky and trembling movement for some timeand then move to another area.

b) Running vibration: Keeping the palmfirmly placed on the body move the handscreating shaky and trembling movements.G) KNEADING: This movement is like mix-

ing the wheat flour with water before makingChapathis. It is useful on fleshy parts of thebody.a) Light kneading: On less fleshy areas suchas shoulders and arms lift, squeeze and rollthe flesh between thumb and fingers of onehand glide it towards the other hand, andsqueeze the flesh with the second hand.H) PETRISSAGE: Method is as same as lightkneading but done with more pressure.I) PRESSURE: Deep, direct pressure to re-lease tension and fatigue of muscles, on ei-ther side of spire and around shoulders.

a) Static pressure: Place the pads of thumbson the skin and gradually lean on to them.Press for few seconds, then release and glideto the next point.

b) Circular pressure:Press and then makesmall penetrating, cir-cular and movementscircling the skinagainst the underlyingmuscle.

SOME SPECIAL LOCAL MASSAGESBACK MASSAGE: Backmassage is useful in Reliefof pain from musclespasm. Relaxing the backmuscle. Entire sympa-thetic, parasympatheticnervous system gets toneed up. Relievingbroncho-spasm in Asthmaand BronchitisABDOMINAL MASSAGE: Often people find

it uncomfortablewhile taking ab-dominal massagedue to the ticklingsensation felt whiletaking massage. It isuseful in -- Relieving abdomi-nal pain and dis-comfort

- Relieving constipation- Weight reduction- Stimulating liver and pancreas. Hence use-ful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, hy-pertension.

HEAD MASSAGE: Head massage is highlyinvigorating and relaxing.useful in - - Relievingheadaches, migraine -Dandruff - Hair growth bystimulation on scalp.FACE MASSAGE: -it is

more of cosmetic importance. It is very use-ful in: --Relieving tension, anxi-ety, headaches spe-cially frontal- Treatment of sinusitis-Clearing dark circlesaround eyes. - Treatment of acne

OVERALL BENEFITS OF MASSAGE1. Overall well beingof Individual2. Relaxation of bodyand mind3. Relief of pain fromaching muscles4. Relief from fatiguestiffness of the joints5. Increased bloodcirculation to skinsurface improvingskin function6. Removal of im-pure verious blood

7. Removal of wastes through lymphaticdrainage8. Relaxation of central, sympathetic, andparasympathetic nervous systems9. Improvement of overall functioning abilityof internal organs10. Improvement of functioning of the endo-crine glands.11. Useful as an adjuvant for the weight re-duction12. Useful in improving rest and sleep13. Enhances bodies immunity.COMPLICATIONS OF

EXCESSIVE MASSAGE1. Increases Kapha2. Increases Medas3. Decreases Agni i.e. digestive fire4. Develops Ama in system5. Develops Glani6. Develops Jwara (fever)DYNAMICS OF ABHYANGA:1. Physical pressure moving the fluids ininternal environment

The Abhyanga is acting over the skin,which is a seat of Vata. The skin not only aseat of Vata but also for Lasika (lymph). Thusthe lymphatic drainage will be the prime ef-fect of Abhyanga. Lymph possesses a rela-tively large amount of the amino acid tryp-tophan, especially when compared with thedietary intake. It likewise has a large amountof albumin (protein), glucose and histaminase(breaks down histamine). Hypothetically,blood aminoacids like tryptophan increaseafter massage. An increase in plasma tryp-tophan subsequently causes a parallel in-crease in the neurotransmitter (chemical be-tween nerve endings) at motor end plates,and serotonin, which is made from tryptophan.Serotonin has been implicated in severalphychiatric diseases with low levels of me-

tabolite found by researchers in depressionand schizophrenia. Giving albumin boundprotein tryptophan to the brain with proper dietand massage should theoretically increasebrain serotonin. In practise the abhyanga re-lieves systems like those caused by seroto-nin depletion, anxiety, irritability, etc.

The fluids of internal environment sub-jected for movement because of osmoticpressure and hydrostatic pressure. Hereabhyanga causes mechanical hydrostaticpressure in the extra cellular compartment i.e.in the peripheral vascular area. A forceful ex-pulsion from peripheral vessels causessplanchenic pooling of the blood. It helps fluidto enter in to viscera and tissues and dilutesthe toxins accumulated. When it refills theperipheral vessels after the completion of pro-cedure the diluted toxins are brought in togeneral circulation and in due course of elimi-nation procedures such as Vamana andVirechana they are oozed or pulled in to gutand expelled.2. Physical pressure causing electricalcharge to the body - phizoelectricity

Phizo electricity is said as pressureelectricity. Today we witness different modesof generation of electricity, such as thermal,hydro, nuclear etc. The phizo electricity isderived from friction and pressure. This theorywas invented in 1880. Phizoelectricity devel-oped from Tormalin quartz is more used inWatch, Microphone and Phonographic indus-tries.

Here in Ayurveda we may not be us-ing the term of phizo electricity, but the tech-nique leads to the same effect. When utiliz-ing a medium of unctuous substance to re-duce the friction, a good amount of rhythm ifuses a specific pressure developed and cre-ates magnetic field and electricity in the body.At present context we have to remember thathuman body is made of metallic and also non-metallic compositions and subjected for mag-netic meridian. From physics, we learned thatany object is being rubbed towards one-di-rection get electricity charged. The same isgoing to happen in the body surface area andthe charged molecules will attract the mol-ecules of susceptive and drag them fromsakha to kosta, by interrupting thedoshadooshya sammurchana.

Secondly by such charging, the con-ductivity of nerves will be increased. The nor-mal velocity of electric conductivity in a nervefiber is said as 0.5 meter per second which

may go up to 100 meters per second. In nervefiber electricity is discharged in regular inter-vals and moves in circular pattern. Interrup-tion to the momentum or hyper electrical dis-charges results in to the state of disease.Treatment is said as rectification of the stateof disturbance. Thus the method of Abhyangathat depolarizes the excessive electricalcharge in exited state of nerves and also in-duces perfect charged phizo electricity tobring into normalcy.3. Physical pressure acting as counter ir-ritant

While doing Abhyanga pressure isapplied. That pressure acts as an irritant tothe surface and the effect of irritation producedas the effect of inflammation and color - riseof local temperature and dolor - mild pain isproduced. And robor -rising the peripheralvascularisation is witnessed at the end of pro-cedure, which fill the splanchenum during theprocedure. This shuffling of extra cellular com-partment fluid makes the sedentary or accu-mulated impurities at the level of tissues tomove, said in Ayurveda as movement ofDoshas from sakha to kosta. In various con-ditions of Vata disorders where pain is asymptom, the counter irritation produced bymassage cures by its classical color androbor actions, by which phagocytosis occurs.4. Physical pressure acting over skin

The main objective of Abhyanga iscreating softness in the external skin andsmoothing of internal viscera and tissues.When softness is induced in skin, the skinbecomes lustrous, attains complexion andcolour. More over an oily or unctuous skin isgoing to prevent the body from exposure ofheat and dust. The depositions of dust andtidy particles are going to cleansed andcleaned physically by applying the pressure,especially procedures such as udgharshana.5. Physical pressure acting over Neuralcontrols

At motor end plates acetylcholine actsas transmitter in the presence of Calcium ionand facilitates synaptic action potential. Thenerve fibers have a myelinated sheet wherelipids are the chief ingredients. Na (sodium)and K (potassium) ions are responsible forrepolarisation in the nerve fiber. Out of elec-trolytes, calcium, Hydrogen, sodium and po-tassium produce depolarization and chlorineand potassium are responsible for hyperpolarisation. This action with the associationof melatonin a byproduct of serotonin also

synthesized from tryptophan is a neurochemical causes pleasantness and calmingeffects in the process of massage. Apart fromthe effect said the toxins that are settled inthe nerve fiber or myelinated sheet and inter-rupting the conductivity of the nerve impulseare drained out by the exertion of physicalpressure on peripheral nerve endings, espe-cially motor and also sensory.6. Physical pressure acting over Hor-monal controls

Melitonin, a newly discovered brainhormone is rhythmically secreted in the pi-neal gland of the brain. Radioactive tryptophanhas been found to accumulate in pineal, sowe can assume the pineal uses it to formserotonin and melatonin. The pineal gland hasa diurnal rhythm and is sensitive to light. Dur-ing the day the pineal produces high levels ofserotonin, and at night produces high levelsof melatonin. Melatonin has been found todecrease thyroid activity, adrenal and gonadalactivity as well as diminish growth hormoneand melanocyte stimulating hormone levels.In all melatonin decreases protein synthesisin the hypothalmus and pituitary resulting in adecrease in six of the seven anterior pituitaryhormones (three of six confirmed in man).Melatonin turns down the body’s hormonalactivity. Giving melaronin to human results insleep or sedation (depending upon the doseand way of administration), vivid dreams, EEGchanges, which resemble those of a medita-tive state, and a feeling of well being and mod-erate elation.

Ayurveda explains the action ofAbhyanga as Brimhana, Sodhana andShamana. The further processional analysishas to be elucidated by scientific methodol-ogy under the shade of scientific knowledge.