ABHYANGA

WHAT IS ABHYANGA ?

Abhyanga ( Massage ) is a therapy of punchkarama which can be done over whole body from scalp to the toe . Abhyanga is done with medicated oil depending on the type of disease . 

PROCEDURE :- Abhyanga is done with minimal clothing or body is wraped with a towel .  

1 Warm the oil for abhyanga by putting the bowel or bottle in warm water . 

2 Apply  oil thoroughly over the body including head till toes . 

3 Start massage with your scalp , forehead, cheeks , ear and jaws in a circular pattern .

4 Then start massage of chest and abdomen in clockwise direction , on the trunk massage is done inward out along the direction of ribs.

5 Massage feet along with toes and soles .       

6 Relax your body for 15 to 20 mints and then take a bath with warm water 

7 Dry body with a soft clean towel . 

BENEFITS OF ABHYANGA ARE  :-

1 Help To Reduce Stress :- By doing Abhyanga stress level and heart rate of the patient could be decreased . Stress negatively changes the autonomic nervous system, by doing rhythmical massage it stimulate relaxation . 

2 Help To Manage Blood Pressure :- Massage effect the circulatory system of the body which ultimately reduces the high blood pressure . During the massage therapy blood vessel expands which speeds blood flow and reduces resistance in the arteries which improves the blood pressure .

3 Cure Most of The Dermat Issues :- During Abhayanga therapy oil is used on the skin for nourishment which improve its overall appearance. Which help to 

Increase skin blood flow

Decrease Hyperpigmentation 

Improve Skin Smoothness and Softness 

Reduce Wrinkles , Scars And Cellulites

4 Reduce Muscle Stiffness :- By Abhyanga Stiffness of the muscle is decreased and also increase the mobility by loosening shortened and tight muscles such as ankle joint massage.

5 Promotes Lymphatic Drainage :-  Lymphatic system works to removes body`s waste out . During some condition such as after surgery .It can improve lymphedema by encouraging lymphatic drainage . 

6 Improves Vision 

7 Increase Energy and Alertness

8 Delay Age Related Changes 

9 Increase Physical Strength 

THINGS TO WATCH DURING ABHAYANGA :-

1 Make sure the oil is warm but not too hot . 

2 Use an old used towel to catch the oil stains 

3 Give proper time to abhyanga for each part of the body . 

4 Make a watch during walking after massage of soles with oil which may lead to fall .

5 Don’t take bath with too hot or too cold water .

6 Pressure during the abhyanga must not be too high or too low.

TYPE OF THE OIL USED DURING ABHYANGA :-

The oil type during abhyanga depends on the type of Doshas and also on the body type ( type of skin )

1 Vata Dosha  ( Dry Skin ) :- Patient with vata dosha has dry skin on which heavy oil should be applied like :- Almond , Sesame , Avocado oil . 

2 Pitta Dosha ( Sensitive Skin ) :- Patient with pitta dosha has sensitive skin which can`t tolerate many things , in this case use neutral oil like ghee or sunflower oil .

3 Kapha Dosha ( Oily Skin ) :- Patient with kapha dosha has oily skin therefore light oil must be used like Sweet almond , safflower , Flaxseed oil etc  . Kapha Dosha patient need less oil . 

WHEN NOT TO DO ABHYANGA :-

1 Abhyanga not to be done on infected , cut or burn skin .

2 Areas where swelling and pain is present .

3 When you are suffering from fever , flu , chills . 

4 When you have digestion problem or directly after taking emetic medition 

5 During pregnancy