MASSAGE THERAPY IN AYURVEDA

CONTENTS Preface 7 Indo-Romanic Equivalents of Devanagari 11 List of Figures 15 1. Introduction What is health.-Therapeutical necessities, -Classification of Therapies. 17 2. Snehana or Oleation therapy Classification of Ayurvedic therapies. 19 3. Regular Massage Jara or Ageing process, -Srama or Fatigue, -Vata Roga or Nervous disorders, -Drsti or Eye-sight, -Pusti or Nourishment of the tissue elements, -Ayus or Longevity, -Svapna or Sleep, -Dardhya or Sturdiness, -Metaphoric illustrations, -Massage should be done Regularly, -Time of Oil Massage, -Massage and Physical exercises, -Auspicious days, -Inauspicious days, -Massage in Prohibited days, -Signs and symptoms of appropriate Oleation therapy, -Contra-indications, -Modes of administering Massage therapy, -Massage over the whole or parts of the body. 4. Head massage(Siro'bhyanga) 30 5. Filling the ears with oil(Karna Purana) 31 6. Massage over the soles of feet(Padabhyanga) Time taken to permeate through different tissues, -Other methods of massage. 32 7. Udvartana or Unction Benefits of udvartana, -Recipe for udvartana. 34 8. Udgharsana or Rubbing the body with powders 36 9. Different types of fat used in Massage therapy Properties of different types of fat,-ghee, -oil, -muscle fat, -bone marrow, -comparison, -oil of oil-seeds, -Properties of sesame-oil, -Different types of oil used for different specific purposes. 10. Special Massage Therapies 44 11. Pindasveda or Navarakizhi Preparation of decoction and pudding, Cloth-pieces, -Preparation of boluses, -Application of oil, -Need for oil massage, -Protection of eyes, -Massage table, -Position of Body, -Bath, -Course of Therapy. 45 12. Kayaseka or Pizhichil 58 13. Sirodhara or Pouring oil etc., over the head 61 14. Taila dhara Manufacture of medicated oil. 62 15. Dugdha dhara 66 16. Takra dhara 68 17. Sirobasti (Oleation of the head) Method of Administration, -Therapeutic utility. 69 18. Precautions and Regimens Preparation of the patient, -Water for drinking and bath, -Conduct and regimens, -Diet, -Importance of proper bowel movement, -Drinks, -Sleep, -Clothing, -Exercise, -Study, -Fresh air, -Friends and attendants, -Bath, -Other regimens, -Suitable time, -Course of treatment, -Suppression of natural urges Vega-rodha). Appendix -I 85 Properties of important ingredients used in Massage Therapy Appendix-II 119 Abbreviations used for parts of plants in recipes Appendix-III 120 Pharmaceutical process for manufacturing medicated oil and recipes Appendix -IV 167 Vegetable drugs and their botanical names. Bibliography 188 Index 189