An ancient Ayurveda scripture has sung the paeans of praise for a massage therapy as follows –
Meaning- ‘Regular oil massage cures arthritis, nurtures limbs, improves vision, gives rise to sound sleep and happiness, keeps infirmity at bay, generates energy and gives a golden radiance to the body.’
Thus massage is an extremely beneficial therapy in rejuvenating the body. The primary function of massage is to speed up blood circulation. The heart performs this task. It makes pure (oxygenated) blood flow through the arteries to all parts of the body, while the impure blood is carried back through the veins to the heart for purification. The process of cleaning becomes slow if the blood from the veins does
not reach the heart in sufficient quantity. Consequently, the veins remain under-active. But, massage produces heat in these veins, and blood begins to circulate rapidly. The heart rate also increases in the same proportion, and pureblood begins to flow in the entire body. The purpose of massage is to help the nerves in the process of blood purification.
Massage is an art that helps in augmenting the blood supply to all the organs of the body. The heat generated by massage can melt the blood clots and also remove small knots which have been formed in the veins (varicose veins), especially in the lower extremities of the body. The blood becomes less viscous, and hence the lungs can easily remove contamination from it. During the massage, the body is also exercised lightly, so it feels lighter and more active. This process helps in removing the ailments and disorders of the lungs, liver, spleen, small and large intestines, thyroid gland, and the spinal cord.
Massage is the best way to stimulate the activity of various organs, digestive power, production of digestive juices, absorption of the digested food in the body, and the cleansing activities. There are about three hundred and forty-seven muscles in the human body, out of which forty- four are present near the outer surface. While other exercises can induce movement in these external muscles, a deep massage is required to provide healing and change in the internal ones. This ushers activity in the inactive organs and these muscles begin to grow. The ones who have become fat or clumsy soon acquire their actual shape. Massage has a significant effect on the nervous system of
the body.
It stimulates the nerves, which removes fatigue and causes relaxation. Massaging the aching nerves reduces their pain. Mustard oil is more suitable for this process. Along with a therapeutic power, it also provides coolness and lubrication to the body. Glands get nourishment, and skin disorders are cured. Manually processed pure oil is more beneficial than the one produced in the mill. Those who can afford should use coconut oil. Coconut trees are often higher than all other trees, so they can draw substantial energy from the rays of the sun. It also provides natural vitamins. In some diseases like paralysis, rye (a strong alcoholic drink) or sesame oil is also used. Filling coconut oil in colored glass bottles and keeping it in the sun for a few days also makes it useful in treating these diseases.
The main styles of massage include – (1) Gharshan (friction) (2) Dandan (massaging of deep muscles) (3) Thapki (patting) (4) Kampan (vibrating) and (5) Sandhi Prasaran (massaging the joints). All these different styles are used according to the physical condition of the patient and the disease. Gharshan is the rubbing of the upper surface of the body using the palms while applying constant pressure. In this technique, the hands are moved swiftly to produce heat in the blood. The speed should be between 30-80 rounds per minute and should be done until the pores absorb all the oil. Only smearing the oil or rubbing it superficially does not prove beneficial. In this process, every time the movement of the hands should be towards the heart. For example, if the feet are being massaged, then hands should move from the calf towards the thigh. In this way, by massaging all the body parts one by one, the skin diseases are cured, the skin becomes clean, soft, and lubricated, and toxins from other organs also removed. Massaging different parts of the body has many benefits. Massaging the pelvis relieves constipation. Massaging the joints helps in alleviating the pain of arthritis. Massaging the fatty areas of the body reduces obesity, and the body regains its original shape. Scalp massage is a cure for insomnia. Rubbing of the gums is also a type of massage, which strengthens the teeth. Massage burns down the extra sugar in diabetic patients. Regular massage of the body should be done in ailments like paralysis, indigestion, sciatica, stone formation, weakness of liver, ovarian problems, and pleurisy; it provides instant relief.
Those who do not have the means and time for massage should thoroughly rub all parts of the body while bathing. This action of rubbing should be similar to massage – that is, from the extremities towards the heart. In this way, bathing also produces the same benefits that are obtained from any oil or herbal paste. After bathing, the whole body should be rubbed and wiped with a thick towel. This makes blood circulation swift and active. Taking a bath with glycerin soap or Multani mitti is very beneficial for cleaning the pores and dirt caused by the combination of oil with the sweat produced from massage. This cools down the body. Everyone, whether rich or poor, sick or healthy, child, old or young, can rejuvenate his body with the massage. This is an extremely harmless therapy.
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine July-Aug 2020