Angamardhana: A Treatise on Massage Techniques of Ancient India

Massage is considered as one of the oldest therapy used to treat various ailments. It was not only used as a preventive measure but also as a measure to cure disease. Ayurveda being a holistic system of medicine has emphasized the utility of Massage in various conditions. Ayurveda explained Massage as Abhyanga which infers anointing the body. Abhyanga not only prevents and delays normal ageing process but also cure tiredness, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Special concentrations are given to Head, Foot and ear massage during process of Abhyanga. Various terminologies are used in Ayurveda to rationalize massage techniques viz Samvahana, Mardhana, Unmardhana and Padaghata. Samvahana is a variety of superficial massage without applying the oil. Mardhana is a varietiy of Massage with oil, applying pressure on a particular part of body. On the contrary, Unmardhana is pressure massage done in direction against to the hair root. Padaghata is a unique variety of massage done using foot. But Ayurveda hardly explains techniques of massage in any context. India has a rich heritage of culture and traditional knowledge in various fields, massage technique is one of them. Traditional massage performed in south India and north India varies a lot via techniques. One of the rare books on traditional massage techniques written by Tiruka has put light on this rich heritage of massage in ancient India.