Continuing our series on Massage Therapy from our previous article Massages & Massage Therapy: Introduction, Examples & Massage Types, begining in this article and continuing further, we will discuss about the various Massage Types and Massage Techniques available. In this article, we will cover the very commonly used and world wide famous massage therapy, which is called the Ayurvedic Massage Therapy or Ayurvedic Massage.
What is Ayurvedic Massage or Ayurvedic Massage Therapy?
Ayurvedic Massage was actually a traditional Indian Massage Therapy, which was practiced by everyone, even by common man, in ancient India, following the principles of Ayurveda. However, as growth and civilization changes started to take place, the Ayurvedic Massage Therapy slowly started to vanish from the common man's daily life. The Ayurvedic Massage Therapy was left only to Ayurvedic doctors and some masseurs, who had the knowledge of Ayurved.
Ayurvedic doctors who also had a profile of wrestlers had come out with a special massage system. Today's Ayurvedic Massage system is actually a combination of many things - Ayurvedic and Unani (or Greek) systems of medicine.
However, the real traditional Indian Ayurvedic Massage system and techniques are based on the ayurvedic doshas and marmas (pressure points like in reflexology).

What are the fundamental principles on which Ayurvedic Massage is based?
Ayurvedic Massage is based on Marmas and Doshas.
Marmas are considered to be the junction points of the 5 organs: vessels, ligaments, bones, muscles and joints. The 4 different types of vessels are the lymph, the nerves, the arteries and the veins.
By applying the massage which is like gentle soothing circular movement with either the forefinger or the middle finger on a marma, toxins can be released and eliminated by the body. A qualified Ayurvedic massage practitioner should have the full knowledge and understanding of the the marmas which will help him and his patient achieve a proper balance in the body. The picture below shows the basic Marmas.

What is so special about the Ayurvedic Massage?
As with any other massaging system, the Ayurvedic Massage also uses the kneading of pressure points in the body. The uniques thing about Ayurvedic Massage is the application and selection of various Massage Oils, which are prepared on the fundamental principles of Ayurveda. These oils are known to have healing power and capacity, which enables a person to get well soon provided the Ayurvedic Massage is performed under the supervision of a Qualified Ayurvedic Doctor