Massage has been used as a remedial measure from centuries. Massaging causes various physiological effects which comfort the tissues and body. Manually manipulating or kneading the soft tissues to relieve pain, discomfort, stress and to promote health and wellness is called as “Massage”.

The techniques of massage to promote health and wellness are called “Massage Therapy”.

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) defines Massage therapy as “a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client."

Massage therapy (Abhyangam)  is recommended in Ayurveda while treating diseases. It plays a great role in body detoxification process (Panchakarma) before starting a treatment.

Usually ayurvedic herbal oils or aromatic oils are used during massage. The oils are selected according to the condition and objective of massage.

According to Ayurveda Massaging body daily with ayurvedic herbal oil has innumerable benefits. This process is called as “Abhyanga". In great ayurvedic classic  Ashtanga Hridaya  the benefits of herbal oil massage has been mentioned  as follows.

" Abhyanga aachare nityam sa jara- shrama – vataha |
Drushtihi prasada pushtyaahu swapna sutwak daadarya krit ||”  

• The aging symptoms appear very late in life.  
• Balances Vata and reduces vata related problems
• Skin becomes fresh, soft, glowing and healthy.
• Skin becomes resistant to diseases.  
• Sharp eyesight and attractive eyes.  
• Body becomes stronger and well nourished.  
• The body and mind gets relaxed.  
• Undisturbed sleep.
• Increases Libido.
• Rejuvenates the body.

Action plan of Ayurveda for a ‘toxin free body and electrified mind
Ayurveda can indeed be called an ancient health care system devised for the fast-paced and stressful modern life. This system is a stress reliever and immunity builder. Ayurveda approaches the problem from different angles. Panchakarma and Ayurvedic massages are effective in flushing out toxins already in the body and internal systems down to the last cell. The body is tuned up by massage, oil bath and other procedures. Herbal food supplements and health care products build up the immunity system in a natural way. There are specific drugs to strengthen each system of the body, and arrest aging process Ayurveda prevents toxins entering into the body by making people keep a watch on their food habits and food.

Ayurvedic Diet Principles
According to  Ayurveda, the combination of what you eat and what your body does with what you eat is that actually shapes health and well-being. Follow the following simple techniques to achieve a healthy life:

1. Add the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon to a large cup of really warm water and drink first thing in the morning. Fresh lemon juice in moderation is good for all doshas. Lemon is a wonderful aid to internal cleansing. Antibacterial and antiseptic, lemon retards the presence of disease-causing bacteria in the digestive tract. It is also a digestion enhancer and helps reduce bloating and flatulence. It kindles a lethargic appetite, getting the digestive juices flowing. And it aids elimination, so your digestive tract is naturally flushed clear every morning. As an antioxidant, lemon helps fight disease-causing free radicals in the body. It helps keep your skin clear and your eyes sparkling.
   
2. According to Ayurveda, iced beverages, especially with or right after a meal, can really slow down digestion. Imagine pouring cold water over burning coals set up to cook your food. That’s effectively what you do to your digestive fires when you gulp down iced beverages with your meal. Instead, opt for digestion-enhancing drinks. Warm water infused with fragrant fennel helps enhance digestion, prevents bloating, and freshens your breath naturally. Cumin tea, or ginger-mint tea made with fresh ginger root slices and fresh mint leaves are great alternatives. Warm herb/spice teas stimulate the digestion, help your body assimilate the nutrients from the foods you eat and help flush toxins from the system.
   
3. Digestion begins much before the first morsel of food goes down your throat. When food is prepared properly and presented beautifully, and your body and mind are receptive, all of your senses can aid digestion. When you eat mindfully, colors, flavors, aromas and textures blend to make the process of eating a delightful and productive experience. Create an inviting, pleasant environment to aid in the enjoyment of a meal:
   
4. According to Ayurvedic healers, lunch should be THE most important meal of the day. It’s the time of day when your digestion is naturally at its peak, and your body best able to complete the digest-absorb-assimilate cycle.
   
   Take the time to just sit quietly after the meal, savoring the experience, before resuming any activity. This will direct the body’s energy towards digestion before it is drawn to other activities.
   
   5. Water, the Ayurvedic beverage of choice, is crucial for digestion and absorption and to help flush toxins out of the body. It helps prevent bloating and constipation, and helps transport nutrients to the cells and tissues. It helps support the metabolism of fat. Drink room temperature water or warm water through the day. Water spiked with digestion enhancing spices and herbs is even better. Light, clear vegetable broths, prepared fresh each day, are good detoxifies and offer soothing comfort on cold winter days.   

Head Massage
Massaging the scalp and hair with warm oil, preferably infused with hair-friendly herbs, is the best way to nourish the scalp and hair topically. Not only does the massage work wonders for your hair, but it also relaxes the mind and nervous system. The oil for the massage can be customized by hair and body type. If your hair is thin, dry and frizzy and prone to split-ends, you have Vata hair. If you have fine hair prone to premature thinning or graying, you are Pitta-predominant. If you are predominantly Kapha, your hair will tend to be thick and oily.

The Benefits
A warm oil massage has the following benefits:

• It lubricates and conditions the scalp, helping to prevent flakes and dry scalp without the use of harsh chemical shampoos.
• It helps enhance blood circulation in the head and neck area. When the scalp is “tight” from stress, circulation and hair growth are impeded.
• It helps relax the scalp and increase pliability.
• It helps strengthen the roots of the hair and nourishes the hair-shafts, promoting new hair growth and strengthening current hair.
• It helps soften and condition the hair, making it more manageable.
• It spreads the natural oils of the hair, increasing hair luster and vibrancy.
• It helps protect hair from the damaging effects of the sun and harsh weather by improving resiliency over time.
• It is replenishing and rejuvenating for dry, damaged hair, and helps prevent excessive brittleness and split-ends.
• It helps pacify Vata dosha. Especially when enriched with Vata-pacifying herbs, a warm oil hair and scalp massage can be wonderfully relaxing for the mind and nervous system.

When fortified with cooling, Pitta-pacifying herbs, the hair and scalp massage can help balance Pitta dosha and help prevent Pitta-related problems such as premature graying or thinning of hair. It also helps reduce body heat in general, especially if you have been up late a few nights or your eyes are smarting from too much close work on the computer or reading. A Pitta-pacifying massage also helps promote emotional balance. The massage helps relax the muscles in the neck area. The hair and scalp massage can help promote sound sleep at night.

Muscle strengthening techniques like massages along with fomentation by means of steam of medicinal herbs (Nadi sweda) or Navarakizhi (shashtika shali pinda sweda) or Ilakizhi (Patra pottali). Nasya for disorders affecting hands or shoulders and Vasti for disorders affecting the lumbar region or legs.

Along with these, oral medications can be  administered to facilitate recovery. like Maharasnadi Kwatham, Yogaraj Guggulu, Panchatiktha Ghrutham Guggulu etc.. Yoga also helps upto a great extent.

Kottakkal: In an age when modern medicine is stretching the limits of hope, it is astonishing that an ancient Ayurvedic centre in a small humid town in north Kerala, treated nearly two million patients from India and other countries just last year alone. Kottakkal , a town that goes to sleep around television prime time, is about 25 kms from Kozhikode.  One reason it even exists on maps is the presence of Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS), A remarkable Ayurveda spa and hospital established over one hundred years ago.  For some treatments here, bookings must be made a year in advance.

It is a place where red sirens come in search of green herbs.  Morarji Desai, V V Giri and Jayaprakash Narayan once used to get healed here.  Vyjayanthimala Bali, Kuldeep Nayyar and scientist MS.S.Swaminathan are among the famous and influential who still do. About 10 years ago, former Sri Lankan prime minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike arrived in Thiruvananthapuram, unable to walk due to arthritis.  She was in such a state that she could not travel to Kottakkal.  The doctors of AVS traveled to the capital to take care of her. “In a matter of days she was back on her feet,” says Dr. P.K.Warrier, chief physician of AVS who has been at the helm of the trust since 1954.

The fame of AVS has spawned hundreds of clones who carry the name Kottakkal somewhere in their names to reap the benefits of association. The venerated ancient institute has over 500 classical formulations of Indian medicine. Its various special herbal oil massages and treatments attract many from across the globe. The institute has four hospitals, three in Kerala and one in New Delhi.  By the end of this year, there will be another one – in Kolkata.  It also has 20 branches across India and a network of 1,200 dealers.  Considering its indefatigable pull, its turnover of Rs. 120 crores in 2005-’06, appears, modest but that’s because AVS has consciously refrained from exploiting its fame. “Every other day, we receive enquired from well known entities like the Hinduja group and the TTK group.  Most of them want to float joint ventures,” says A.R.Shankarnarayanan, general manager. “But we are not here to make money.”

Ayurveda is not recognized in many countries. The western world demands validation ingredients Ayurvedic medicines use and proof of clinical trials. But the Ayurvedic system, that does not treat an individual  in isolation and believes that everybody requires a unique cure, does not fit into the medium of Western scrutiny. The AVS is working with the India government on ways to make the ancient medicine acceptable to the West.

Despite the fact that Ayurveda is not formally endorsed by the West, hundreds of Europeans and Americans flock to the institute.  Like Gisele Elizabeth, a 65 year old German who is on her third visit.  The retired auctioneer has major arthritis problem, which to an extent, has been cured. Since her treatment at the institute, she has managed to climb a 5000 meter mountain in Nepal last year.

“I was very clear that I would not want allopathic medicines to enter my system and make a mess of it.  It took one or two visits to AVS to get my system right.  I am feeling great now,” says Gisele, who persuaded two friends to come with her.  The Kerala Ayurveda treatment uses liquid Kashayas (medicines) derived from herbs.  Three thousand litres of milk oil, honey, ghee and even 3 kgs of gold are used every month to make medicines.

There is a constant attempt to use authentic herbs but their prices are at times exorbitant. For example, Ativitayam a rare herb, costs Rs. 3,000 per kg. Increasing demand for plants and rampant destruction of forests have constricted the supply and driven up prices. Also, some herbs have become nearly extinct. The Centre for Medicinal Plants Research, set up in 2003 with a generous grant by the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, is trying to culture rare plants and end one of the most serious crises Ayurveda has ever faced – vanishing herbs.