January 2010
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Abhyanga (massage therapy) is an important therapeutic method and is the most commonly used Panchakarma therapy for both healthy people and those with disease. Ayurvedic massage therapy is not just the simple application of oil and massage as it is understood by most people. It involves therapeutic considerations, such as Dosha (bio-humors), Dhatu (tissues), Prakriti (constitution), and pharmacological considerations. These include the selection of oil, temperature, and frequency of application. The therapeutic efficacy of massage therapy depends on the appropriate selection of oil according to the disease, individual patient characteristics, the skill of the therapist, the cooperation of the patient, and any restrictions that need to be followed by the patient during and after treatment. This article reviews the deeper understandings of Ayurvedic massage therapy critically and analytically.