Abhyangam is application of oil on head and body followed by gentle massage of body by a trained therapist. The patient will be on the special table and will take seven positions like sitting, lying on back and side etc during the treatment. Abhyanga is done as a single treatment and as a preparation for or along with major treatments.
The duration of this treatment is 45 minutes, followed by a bath using green gram powder to remove the oil. The physician will decide the suitability of the patient for this treatment and also the oils suitable for him/her. This treatment is done for a day or for any number of days as prescribed by the physician to suit the conditions and the treatment taken along with it.
Pichu is an external oil application, superior to abhyanga in potency. Pichu is done only to the affected parts, like head, low back etc. It is done as a major treatment and a simplified version of it is done along with other oil treatments like abhyanga. A dry cotton cloth having the size sufficient enough to cover the area of application, when folded is taken. The thickness of the folded piece should be preferably that of the palm. A hole is made in the center of the folded cloth to pour oil perodically.