Enhancing wellness through massage therapy has been a common, tried and tested practice to relieve pain. By pressing the tissues in the body, it has been extensively practiced across cultures. These are numerous massaging techniques that exist, such as Deep Tissue Massage, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology, Swedish Massage and more. 

In Ayurveda, Abhyanga is a technique of self-massage, done with warm oil. Applied all over the body, it is a traditional system of medicine, it focuses on health. With combined massage strokes, Abhyanga is known for its therapeutic benefits. 

Benefits of Abhyanga

1. Rejuvenation of mind and body. 
2. Skin Detoxification 
3. Prana, your life force, flows through your body using channels, or Nadis. Abhyanga stimulates these channels, promoting easy flow, activating your inner healing. 

3 Techniques to practice Abhyanga 

For back pain

• Sit with your back straightened, on the floor with legs crossed
• Put your thumbs on each side of your sacrum, the flat bone at the bottom on your spine. 
• Use circular motions, moving up and down your sacrum 
• Apply gentle pressure. Use the pause-release principle. 
• Continue as long as required, with deep breaths

For headaches 

• Straighten your neck and back 
• At the base of your skull, place your pointer and middle fingers of both hands at the center. 
• With gentle pressure, go outward and inward. 
• Gently go in circular motions, focusing on tension spots.
• Continue for 3-5 minutes

For neck pain

• Straighten your neck and back 
• Firmly press your fingers on areas you’d like to massage 
• Move your fingers in circular motions clockwise, and then anti-clockwise. 
• Continue for 3 minutes 

Dharana Wellness Centre, a wellness retreat near Mumbai, focuses on holistic health which includes physical, mental and spiritual balance. One of the key ideologies of this eco wellness retreat lies in the holistic approach. As an Ayurvedic healing center in India, Dharana combines the use of an integrative, modern approach for holistic health with Modern diagnostics with traditional practices like Yoga and Ayurveda to ensure a sustainable wellness journey.