Ayurvedic Massage to prevent anti-ageing

Are you tired of trying different methods for preventing aging? Many of you may have used chemical products and procedures to look young. Most of you have worried about the harmful effects of these products. Are you looking for a simple solution to this problem?

Then, the answer is ayurvedic massage, one of the best Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala. This simple and holistic method has excellent results in preventing aging. Here are the tips and things you must know before practicing this treatment method.

What is an Ayurvedic massage?

An ayurvedic massage is a form of ayurvedic therapy in which the whole body or a part of the body is massaged using warm medicated oil. Instead of oil, herb, herbal paste, etc., are used to perform the massage.

In Ayurvedic medicine, AcharyaVagbhatta considered ayurvedic massage a part of daily routine ( dinacharya). Along with other daily routines like exercises (Vyayama), gargling ( gandusha and Kavalam), collyrium (Anjana), etc., it has the following benefits.

1. Delays aging
2. Restore the Vatadosha imbalance in the body.
3. Relieves exertion.
4. Improves vision and provides nourishment to the body tissues.
5. Promote longevity
6. Improves good sleep.
7. Improves skin tone and complexion.

The procedure can act as an oleation( snehana) therapy and can be done for 15- 30 minutes, depending on the condition. You can do an ayurvedic massage at home daily. Still, you should consult a doctor and get advice on the selection of oil and other guidance.

What are the different types of ayurvedic massage?

Ayurvedic massage is a non-invasive procedure that is associated with the least complications. Abhyanga (oil massage) will be the type of massage you are most aware of. There are some other types of ayurvedic massages. The different types of ayurvedic massages are:

1. Abhyanga is a type of ayurvedic massage in which the body part is massaged with warm medicated oil. The treatment is planned so that the medicated oil deeply penetrates the body tissues, removes toxins, and promotes aging.
2. Pizhichil: It is a type of ayurvedic therapy in which a continuous stream of warm medicated oil is poured over the body from a height and massaged uniformly. Pizhichil is commonly considered a nourishing treatment that nourishes and supports the body tissues and delays aging.
3. Udvartana: In this therapeutic procedure, powder of different drugs are used for massaging, and strokes are applied in pressure in the opposite direction of hairs. Through this therapy, the liquefication of fat happens, promotes metabolism, and improves the skin’s complexion.
4. Garshana: It is a type of ayurvedic massage which consist of dry skin brushing with either silk or soft wool glove. It enhances blood circulation, cleans skin impurities, and improves skin complexion.
5. Kizhi is a type of ayurvedic massage in which medicinal herbs are tied in a poultice and applied over the body for a prescribed period. Commonly kizhi is practiced as a treatment procedure.

It is advised to perform the massage by a therapist for better results. Ayurvedic massage must be performed periodically to get better results.

How does an Ayurvedic massage prevent aging?

In AshtangaHridayam, an Ayurvedic textbook, AcharyaVagbhatta explained that ayurvedic massage could prevent aging and promote loneliness.

The Ayurvedic massage is usually done in the direction of arterial blood flow. When the massage is done, it increases the blood flow to that area; hence the nutritional supplement and oxygen circulation increase. By doing the massage daily, the tissues get saturated with oil. This oil reaches the cellular level, opens up the channels and releases toxins and other waste materials from the body, ultimately delaying aging.

As people age, the moisture content (snehana karma) in the body gets reduced. So, by the process of oleation daily, damaged lipids in the cell membrane can be replaced by the lipids present in the medicated oil. The cells get rejuvenated, and thus it delays aging.

The aging process is associated with different kinds of pain, greying of hair, weakness, stiffness of the body, and wrinkles in the face and body parts. The imbalance of Vatadosha causes these. Tcorrected, The daily practice of ayurvedic massages corrects the Vatadosha imbalance.

Daily massage of oil in feet, especially under the big toe and sole, helps improve vision in people with vision loss. So by this technique, the clarity of vision gets improved and reduces the risk of blindness.

It can create an electrochemical balance in the body and increase the circulation in vital body organs, increasing strength, stamina, and vitality.

Ayurvedic massage can also increase skin complexion by making the skin smooth, shiny, and strong.

Oils used for ayurvedic massages

Care must be given while selecting the oil for ayurvedic massage. The oil that doesn’t suit the patient’s body constitution can lead to other comorbidities. So, care must be taken while selecting oil for the massage. Some of the common oils used for massage according to the doshic constitution are:

1. Vatadosha – sesame oil, almond oil, balaswagandaditailam,mahanarayanatailam,ksheerabalatailam,lakshaditailam,mahamashatailam
2. Pitta dosha – neem oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, ghee, manjistaditailam, eladikeram, ayyapalakeratailam.
3. Kaphadosha – mustard oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, sahacharaditailam, karpooraditailam, lavanatailam
4. For tridosha – narayanatailam, mahanarayanatailam, dhanwantaramtailam.

Precautions before and after getting an ayurvedic massage.

Even though ayurvedic massage is an external non-invasive therapy, there are some precautions to be taken before performing this procedure

1. It is not advised to undergo this therapeutic procedure with people suffering from diseases like

• High fever
• Severe renal and cardiac diseases.
• Severe osteoporosis
• Very hairy skin
• Acute inflammation
• Oozing skin disease.
• Fractures
• Malignancy
• Open wounds

1. Use only warm oil, and care must be taken while choosing the oil for each person.
2. Pregnant women and older adults must perform this procedure under the guidance of an ayurvedic physician.
3. Avoid massages during menstruation, hangover, and during chemotherapy.

Ayurvedic massage at home

Ayurvedic massage can be performed at home with the guidance of an ayurvedic physician. A therapeutic procedure like abhyanga can be practiced daily by oneself. At the same time, kizhi, pizhichil, etc., must be done by a therapist under proper guidance and supervision.

The common steps for performing ayurvedic massage (abhyanga) at home are:

1. Choose an oil suitable to the doshic constitution.
2. Pour the oil into a vessel and warm it using a hot water bath.
3. Exfoliate the skin for some time with a medium or firm bristled brush.
4. Pour oil into the palm, and apply to each part of the body in long strokes moving away from the heart. Use circular strokes on all joints.
5. Massage the head and face with a small amount of oil and apply the oil on the scalp using circular strokes and in the ears by pinching.
6. Leave it in the body for 15- 30 minutes so that the oil can penetrate the deeper layers of the body.
7. Take a warm bath and rest for some time.

Ayurvedic massage is an external non-invasive therapy that can be performed easily at home with the least side effects. If you are looking for anti-aging therapies, you must try this procedure.