As stated earlier, traditions have not only mentioned preventive values of use of massage but also therapeutic uses of it.
Main therapeutic indications for massage can be stated as follows: -
- Massage is indicated in many diseases mainly due to cold like -asthma, body ache, joint stiffness, feminine problems like ‘dysmenorrhea etc or after delivery etc mainly to prevent diseases due to cold.
- For general weakness - being a nutritive, daily massage helps to remove stress & wear & tear of body increasing strength & vitality.
- Diseases of muscle - muscle pain, spasm, atrophy, myopathies etc.
- Disorders of joints - Ostearthritis, Spondylosis etc.
- Disorders of circulatory system - After myocardial infarction, IHD, varicose veins etc as massage improves blood circulation.
- Disorders of nervous system - Neuralgia, hemiplegia - paraplegia, cerebral palsy, sciatica etc.mainly to reduce pain sensation.
- Metabolic Disorders - Indicated in obesity, loss of weight etc.
- Psychological Disorders - Anxiety, insomnia, mental stress, depression etc.
- Diseases in sportsmen - Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, backache, sprains etc. are greatly relieved by massage, & help to increase physical fitness. Regular massage for sports person not only loosens the muscle & joint, but also increases their flexibility & prevents cramps & injury, thus aids in improving their performance.
- Massage to professionals: -
- Computer professionals, jeweler workers etc. have increased stress on their eyes. Therefore regular head massage is must as also massage to feet as per ayurveda.
- Accountants, teachers etc. need more massage over hand, neck region to prevent stiffness.
- Businessman, CEO etc. who travel frequently need whole body massage, especially overhead to remove stress & fatigue.
- Driver, people working over heavy machines need massage with more pressure over upper & lower limbs.
- Artists, musicians & people in other profession could also improve their skills through regular massage.
Therefore, ayurveda have aptly advised daily use of massage for all.
Contra-indications for use of massage: -
Though massage is advised in seasonal and daily regimen for everyone, at following stages use of massage is best avoided:
- Those who have undergone purification measures like - process of emesis or purgation, enema, nasal drops & phlebotomy, massage should not be performed immediately on them.
- Person’s suffering from indigestion, fever etc. should not receive massage, as unctuous substance may lower digestive fire and increase the factor - ‘Aam’ there by causing indigestion and increasing disease state.
- “Santarpanottha Vikara” - i.e. diseases caused by overeating, excess use of fat in food, lack of exercise etc.
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