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Jan-26-2009
Author's Home Page
Views expressed here are author"s own and not of this website. Full disclaimer is
at the bottom.
(The author of this article runs an Ayurvedic Massage Clinic in Pune, India)
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Ayurvedic Massage with feet is practised in Kerala Choutti system of massage. In this method, the patient wishing to undergo massage treatment lies on a matress and the therapist glides over the patient"s oiled body by using feet. The therapist holds a rope hanging over patient"s body for support.However,there are many limtations to the therapist"s movements and massage strokes in this system. Moreover,this type of massage is rather exhaustive for the therapist himself.
To overcome the difficulties in Choutti system,a massage box can be very conveniently and comfortably used for the benefit of the patient and therapist as well.
1. Massage box can be prepared/fabricated in wood or steel,with following dimensions-
Length-220 cm Width-122 cm Height-46 cm(+2 or 3 cm "supports").
The box is covered on 5 sides with wood/steel plates, and its 1 side is open- just
similar to a coffin box without cover.
A matress is placed on the bottom surface of the box(with disposable bed-sheet) on
which the patient can be placed in prone/supine/sideways/sitting etc.positions.
The therapist sits on a sliding plank (sliding action is well supported by L angles) of
dimensions:122 cm.X 25 cm.X suitable thickness of wooden plank.
8 planks of width 25 cm + 1 plank of 20 cm width may be prepared,if you wish to cover
the box fully-put another matress on its top-and use as a massage table of low height.
2. The massage box can also be used for Sarvanga Swedanam (application of steam to
the entire body of the patient) by placing 8 planks(25 cm width) over the box-over
patient"s body-and keeping a curtain like cloth over the last plank.The curtain is lowered
in such a manner that patient"s head is kept open.
Steam is generated in a pressure cooker with a thermal resisting plastic tube
connected to the cooker (by removing its whistle). The steam is allowed into the box
for achieving effective Sarvanga Swedanam.
3. Procedure for massage with hands and feet:
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A) Any "protocol" for massage may be followed.
The best way is to start a hand massage of patient"s feet+ some reflexology treatment.
This causes good relaxation of the patient as his "tired" feet are attended first.
Then warm massage oil should be sprinkled over his legs and massaged with tender
foot strokes- to be gradually increased into pressure strokes.
By sliding the plank (on which the therapist sits) upwards, patient"s hips-low back-
back-shoulders etc.are to be massaged step by step. The therapist can offer delicate
hand massage to patient"s cervical vertebra,neck,occiput etc. by bending down.
The patient then turns to right and left in "Hanumaan" position of feet-so that his feet
and sides of upper body receive massage fully.
Then supine position of the patient follows for receiving massage over knees,thighs,
abdomen,chest,fully stretched hands etc.
After massaging patient in prone-spine-sideways position, he is asked to sit on the
matress for head massage+additional massage of neck,shoulders etc.
B). Heavy or Deep Tissue Massage:
The therapist holds the sides of the box securely and applies his partly/whole body
weight while using different foot-massage strokes,till the desired "removal" of
stiffness/spasm/soreness in patient"s musclulature is achieved.The therapist can
also take help of fomentation of patient"s body by using hot air from a hair-drier or
Naadi-Svedanam (applying steam by tube) to achieve maximum results.
The real beauty of massage with feet lies in its very long strokes that start from
patient"s head and end right over patient"s feet: thus achieving an instantaneous
relaxation of his sprained muscles.In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
terminology,a good balancing of Qui is achieved by massaging patient"s different
meridians.
C). Advantages of Massage with Feet:
i) The therapist as well as the patient are very much comfortable.
ii) Feet are much sensitive as compared with hands. They are much larger than hands
and have many "tools" for massage- heels, fingers, soft middle sole, sides etc.
iii) The touch of feet is "impersonal" as compared to touch of hands. A patient may
not like the hands of a therapist touching his/her sensitive body parts.
iv) If possible, TWO therapists can sit on two planks and facing each other. They can
offer synchronised foot-strokes (similar to 2 wood-cutters cutting a log of wood with
a long saw) over patient"s body for achieving his fast relaxation.
v) The therapist can sit on a small stool by the sides of the massage and offer oblique
massage strokes.
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References & Notes:
Author's Home Page
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