AYURVEDA, the traditional Indian holistic health management system, offers a range of traditional therapies and herbal medicines to balance the bodily principles and to integrate body, mind and spirit. These therapies can be used for both to cure various ailments as well as to improve general health (Rejuvenation). The effect of therapies differs with the oil and other ingredients used. There are two inputs in a massage.
Primarily the type of medication used: whether oil, powder, paste etc and The Pattern and pressure of the strokes. For e.g. in a rejuvenating massage, the oils selected shall be with properties of tissue nourishing, toning up the muscles, stimulating the nerve endings and the pattern of strokes will be in the direction of hair follicles and from the origin of muscles to the insertion.
Where as in a therapeutic powder massage, the purpose is to cleanse and burn out the excess adipose fat and hence the storks will be in the opposite direction of hair follicles. Having identified the body constitution (Prakruti) and type of ailment (Vikruti), a suitable type of massage can be carried out from the following.
Njavarakizhi : A massage to the body with small cotton cloth boluses filled with cookedNjavara rice after a liberal application of medicated oil over the whole body. The rice is cooked in cow's milk and herbal decoction. The boluses are dipped in the same mixture of cow's milk and herbal decoction and applied all over the body to induce sudation (sweat). This procedure is highly rejuvenating, nourishing and prepares the individual to bear the stresses and strains of a busy lifestyle. It enhances physical consistency, strengthens the nervous system and improves the overall appearance of the skin. This is a strengthening fomentation employed in neurological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis and malnutrition of limbs.
Elakizhi (Pathrapotala Sweda): This therapy begins with the application of suitable medicated oil to the entire body. The body is then subjected to exude profusely through a massage with boluses of chopped and fried leaves of some specific medicinal herbs after dipping in particular medicated oils. This therapy is effective for various kinds of arthritis, Spondylosis, back pain, sports injuries and for all other soft tissue inflammations especially join pains.
Udwarthanam: This is a typical deep and dry massage using herbal powders. This massage stimulates hair follicles and subcutaneous fat tissue to break down subcutaneous fat storage. The dry powder massage reduces blood cholesterol, obesity, skin problems, imparts mobility to the joints, strengthens muscles and refreshes the body. The most promising effect is the slimming of the body.
Greevavasthy: Specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured over the neck and retained inside the black gram paste boundary for the required duration. The healing properties of herbal oils used for this therapy deeply cleans and enriches the blood, builds and maintains strong muscle and connective tissues and lubricates the joints keeping them flexible and pain free. Greevavasthi alleviates neck and upper back conditions like Cervical Spondylosis, stiff neck, pain due to over strain, etc.
Herbal Steam Bath: A gentle application of warm herbal oil is first done over the body. Next the individual is made to sit, keeping the head out, inside a steam chamber that lets out herbal steam from medicinal herbs makes the individual perspire profusely that promote cohesion between cells. The steam will open up the very small pores of the skin thereby removing all wastes and pacifying the three doshas. A great therapy for toning the skin and giving it a special glow.