
One of the methods of treatment in ancient alternative Indian medicine is Ayurvedic massage . The most common type of it is marma massage, which has its own characteristics, technique, benefits and contraindications.
What is it?
“Life zones” or “Especially sensitive points” is exactly what marma means in Sanskrit. Therefore, marma therapy is a special way of careful and at the same time deep impact on bioenergy centers or marmas located throughout the human body. This type of massage technique, according to Ayurvedic medicine, contributes to deep restoration and energy reboot of the human body.
How it appeared
This massage technique originated about one and a half millennia BC. These important points on the human body were discovered by the masters of the ancient martial art of Kalaripayattu (kalari), since with an accurate hit in such a marma center, it is possible to inflict very severe pain and injury on the opponent.
How the massage is performed
According to the teachings of Ayurveda, most human diseases are inextricably linked with energy imbalance in the body, therefore, with the help of this kind of massage, it is possible to eliminate energy blocks and establish the natural flow of energy not only in the body, but also in the mind, thoughts and desires of a person. There are such types of marma massage as:
- sukha thrumma (for general strengthening and prevention of the body);
- raksha thrumma (for the treatment of diseases of any origin);
- kacha thrumma (preferable for athletes), which is selected individually for each person.
The correct massage technique includes initially removing energy blocks – acting on the point counterclockwise, and then filling this center with new energy – massaging clockwise.
An oil mixture (vegetable and essential) is necessarily used in this type of massage, which is selected in accordance with the predominant dosha in a person.
- Drop the oil mixture onto the marma point to be affected.
- With your thumb, make soft and unhurried movements around the point, starting with a small radius and gradually increasing it with each circle.
- At first, they are expanded in a spiral counterclockwise, and then also in a spiral, but already clockwise, narrowed with stronger pressure. Each such cycle is carried out three times at one point.
In case of energy imbalance, pain may occur when massaging some marma zones.It is also permissible to perform self-massage of marma zones at home, but for this it is necessary to first master the correct technique.
Benefits
Doctors performing marma massage highlight the following beneficial properties for the human body:
- improved digestion;
- removal of toxins from the body;
- pain relief in various joint diseases;
- weakening of nerve compression;
- increase in vital energy;
- maintenance and correction of dosha balance;
- promotes deep relaxation.
Contraindications
Such a massage technique, like others in Ayurvedic medicine, has some contraindications:
- the presence of allergic reactions to the components of the oils used in the massage;
- viral diseases that are in the acute stage, for example, acute respiratory viral infections with cough, runny nose, high temperature;
- oncological formations;
- skin diseases in the acute stage;
- pregnancy.