Massage works mainly with muscles. It utilizes various techniques to release tension in muscles anywhere in the body. While some massage can be done on a clothed body, it is preferable to work directly on the skin. Massage relaxes muscle and relieves body tension, while at the same time improving circulation. The sedative or stimulating effects of massage help to control general body tensions and lessen contractions, spasms, and muscle tightness. Precious herbal leaves and herbs are boiled and the medicated vapours are passed to the steam chamber where client is made to sit with relaxed body, keeping the head out, for a period of 20 to 30 minutes. The steam will open up the pores of the skin, thereby removing all toxins. A great therapy for toning the skin and giving it a special glow. Soothes mind & body to relieve stress & relax muscles, Increases body metabolism, Deep cleanses the skin, Helps eliminate toxins, Boosts your immune system, Relieves discomforts of asthma, allergies and arthritis, Keeps mucous membranes from excessive drying, Relieves throat irritation by moistening the air, Relaxes muscles, Relieves coughing, Relieves inflammation and congestion of upper respiratory membranes.
It is a process in which herbal leaves are tied in a cloth bag. This bag is dipped into hot medicated oil and then applied all over the body. It relieves body pain, stiff joints, back aches and similar ailments. Elakizhi is a massage therapy, which is highly effective in treatments of ailments affecting the bones and joints. Highly advisable in bone and joint conditions such as arthritis, spinal problems, spondylitis, sports injuries etc. Other benefits: Relieves pain, numbness and edema, controls vitiated Vata, improves peripheral blood supply, known to help cure diseases like paralysis and convulsions, and stimulates the nerve endings. Choornakizhi is one among the fomentation therapy. Herbal powders warmed in medicated oil is made into a bundle (kizhi), which is used for fomentation. After oil application, therapists foment the patient with kizhi which have been made warm in medicated oil which is kept at a constant temperature, and massage the patient. There are seven standard positions that a patient is made to adopt during treatment. Thereafter, the patient is advised to take hot water bath. Benefits of Reduces obesity, cures varicosity and Rheumatoid arthritis.
A massage is given with medicated oils and herbs, along with a special herbal powder. Udwarthanam is a treatment procedure in which powdered medicines are rubbed over the body in upward direction. Powdered medicines are taken in pan and heated. This powder is then rubbed over the body in upward direction in seven standard positions. Thereafter, the patient is advised to take hot water bath. Benefits : Reduces cellulite, energizes the blood circulation and breaks the fatty deposits in the body, leading to weight loss and a glowing skin. Other benefits: Tones the skin and muscles after child birth, helps in weight reduction, imparts good complexion to the skin, revitalizes the sense of touch, removes Kapha toxins from the body. Shirodhara is a purifying and rejuvenating therapy designed to eliminate toxins and mental exhaustion as well as relieve stress and any ill effects on the central nervous system. Shirodhara is a unique form of ancient therapy of pouring oil on the forehead from a specific height and for a specific period continuously and rythmatically allowing the oil to run through the scalp and into the hair. The concept of shirodhara is mainly concerned with the application of oil though the other liquids are also used for the therapy but they are associated with specific clinical conditions. Procedure: A flow of medicated oil or buttermilk is poured continuously on the forehead for 45 to 90 minutes, inducing a mental state similar to trance.
Benefits Shirodhara helps in the relief of mental exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, headache, etc. which are all common problems in today’s hectic lives. It is also highly beneficial for general relaxation, in which case, non medicated oils are used to help revitalize the nervous system and give mental peace. Shirodhara is also very useful in ailments such as nervous disorders, insomnia, blood pressure, general weakness, urinary diseases, vertigo, sinusitis, eye & skin diseases, greying hair, memory loss, insomnia, tinnitus, epilepsy, diabetic neuropathy, paralysis etc. Other benefits include: Strengthens the central nervous system (CNS), strengthens the sensory organs, reduces stress and anxiety, decreases hypertension, sound sleep, improves concentration, intelligence, confidence and self-esteem. Takradhara is a procedure of pouring medicated buttermilk over the forehead of the patient. After the preparatory application of oil on the body, the patient is made to lie on his back. Medicated buttermilk from a dhara vessel hung 6-8 inches above the patient's forehead is poured in a continuous stream through a hole at the bottom of dhara vessel. A head band is tied around the forehead just above the eye brows to prevent medicated buttermilk from flowing into the eyes and to direct its flow. Benefits, Takradhara is an excellent cure for chronic Insomnia, psoriasis and other pitta aggravated diseases. It reduces burning sensation of palms and soles, and helps reduce headache. It reduces Stress and Hypertension, cures premature greying of hair and improves vision.
Kati vasti is one of the snehna-swedana treatment in which medicated herbal oil is used for to carry out the process and is very useful in many health conditions. The Therapist prepares dough from special grains which is shaped into a small ring and placed on the affected area. This adheres to the skin and is then filled with heated, medicated oil. The oil is retained within the ring at a specific temperature for a specific time. This helps the oil to penetrate deeper into the tissues, softening the stiff and tight muscles. Once the oil is removed the therapist will massage specific marma points around the affected area to repair ligaments and tendons, followed by a localised herbal steam to deepen the effect. A personalised treatment protocol is designed at your first consultation. A home exercise programme will be given to further enhance the result. The oils used in this therapy have excellent healing properties that cleanse and enrich the blood and help in building and maintenance of strong muscle and connective tissues and lubricate joints to make them flexible and free from pain. In addition to that, kati vasti helps to alleviate several lower back conditions such as Spondylosis, Inter vertebral disc prolepses, Lumbago (low back ache), and Sciatica.
There are 2 types of vasti - Taila vasti and Kashaya vasti. During treatment, both of them are administered alternatively for specific periods depending on patient's constitution and the severity of the disease. Patient should take left lateral position with left lower extremity straight and right lower extremity flexed on knee and hip joint. During administration of vasti, patient should take deep breath. Patient should remain lying in the same posture for a few minutes after administration of vasti. Vasti with medicated oil is called Taila vasti. In Matra Vasthi very small quantity of medicated oil is used. This therapy can be performed regularly after meals. In matra vasti no harm will occur if the fluid remains inside the colon for long time, as it nourishes and strengthens the colon. The discharged fluid contains toxins along with the faecal matter. Benefits, This therapy acts as a good vitaliser. Vasti helps in alleviating excess vata, and acts as a preparatory procedure for Kashaya vasti. It also cures constipation and piles and is highly beneficial in retention of flatus and urine.
Sirovasti is the most intensive, potent external oil application. Sirovasti is a special technique to administer medicated oil on the head. The patient is made to sit upright on a wooden stool and medicated oil is applied on body and head. Then a cap made of flexible leather, open on both sides, is fitted on the head and the prescribed medicated oil, slightly warm, is poured onto the cap. The oil is allowed to remain inside the cap for about 45 minutes or till the manifestation of proper signs of efficient treatment, whichever is earlier, and drained out. Afterwards the head is wiped with a clean dry cotton cloth. Again medicated oil is applied on the body and head and the patient is given body bath in warm water. This treatment is done for maximum seven days and requires equal number of days for preparation and for having the post intensive treatments. Beneficial for travel stress, anxiety, headache & stress.
Nasyam is meant for purification of the head region. The excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head is eliminated. Patient is asked to lie down on his/her back on a wooden cot placed in a room devoid of breeze. Head should be placed slightly down and legs higher. The body, especially head, neck and chest, should be massaged with oil and fomentation is given. Nasyam is of three types: Virechana Nasyam : In this type of Nasyam strong medicines are used to expel out the doshas instantaneously from the head region. Brimhana Nasyam : This Nasyam treatment nourishes and strengthens the head region, senses and intellectual functions. It builds up the weaker parts and is indicated in vata diseases of the head like migraine, loss of voice, diseases of mouth, difficulty in opening eyes and difficulty in lifting hands. Meat soup and ghee medicated with herbs are used as medicines. Samana Nasyam : This type of Nasyam subsidises the increase of a dosha without expelling it out. It is moderate, neither too strong nor too mild. This is good mainly in conditions like skin discolouration, hair loss and eye diseases. Medicated water and milk can be used for this purpose. The amount of medicines can be either 4 or 6 drops of medicated oil depending upon the dosha involvement.