Physical and Psychological Effects of Head Treatment in the Supine Position Using Specialized Ayurveda-Based Techniques

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the physical and psychological effects of head massage performed in the supine position using Ayurveda-based techniques (head treatment).Design: Twenty-four healthy female students were included in the study. Using a crossover study design, the same participants were enrolled in both the head treatment intervention group and control group. There was an interval of 1 week or more between measurements.Outcome measures: The physiologic indices measured included blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations (high frequency and low frequency/high frequency). The psychological markers measured included liveliness, depression, and boredom using the visual analogue scale method. State anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory method.Results: The parasympathetic nerve activity increased immediately after head treatment. Upon completion of head treatment, the parasympathetic nerve predominance tended to gradually ease. Head treatment boosted freshness and relieved anxiety.Conclusions: The results suggest that head treatment has a relaxing and refreshing effect and may be used to provide comfort.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Marma Therapy with Janu Basti in the Management of Janu Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis of Knee)

“…This Marma Therapy can be used to reduce the pain of nerves, muscles, ligaments, bones and joints [12]. Several scholars have reported the therapeutic benefits of Marma Therapy in treating various physical and mental disorders [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Schrott et al (2016) [16] state that stimulation of Marma points can affect the functioning of the internal organs and mind-body coordination, resulting in healing with regards to improvement in eye-sight, digestive system, headaches, stress, etc.…”

“…Varmakkalai is an ancient therapeutic technique practiced in Tamil Nadu, that deals with the stimulation of Varmam (the vital spots of the body) for therapeutic benefits [22]. Marma points are stimulated during Abhyanga (massage), either by applying pressure in different ways, or through specific movement of hands or other body parts, for therapeutic benefits [14,20,21]. Joshi (2010) [12] has developed a simplified form of Marma Therapy (involving application of pressure on specific Marma points) and administered it to patients suffering from various diseases like cervical spondylosis, scoliosis, muscular dystrophy, paraplegia, prolapse inter vertebral disc, etc., with encouraging results.…”

Exploring the Science of Marma - An Ancient Healing Technique - Part 4: Marma Therapy

“…Shandilyopanishada (8/2) [49] and Vashishtha Samhita (3/61-64) [50] state that one of the best forms of Pratyahara is the one done by focusing on eighteen specific Marma locations in the body. The knowledge of Marman is employed in various ancient Indian traditional practices like Kalaripayat of Kerala [16,20,28,51], Varma-kalai of Tamil Nadu [20,29,[52][53][54], and Ayurvedic Abhyanga (massage) for therapeutic benefits [11,18,19,28]. Thus, Marma Science can be regarded as one of the important healing system of ancient times.…”

“…Varma-kalai (branch of Siddha medicine) is an ancient therapeutic technique practiced in Tamil Nadu, that deals with the stimulation of Varmam (the vital spots of the body) for therapeutic benefits [20,[52][53][54]. Marma points are stimulated during Abhyanga (massage), either by applying pressure in different ways, or through specific movement of hands or other body parts, for therapeutic benefits [11,18,19]. Joshi (2010) [7] states that Marma Science is one of the oldest medical science for prevention and cure of diseases, promotion of health and calmness of mind, as well as development of selfhealing capabilities.…”

“…(7) Physical and psychological effects of head treatment in the supine position using specialized ayurveda-based techniques (Murota et al, 2016) [19] This study was performed on 24 female students, to assess the physical and psychological effects of head massage, performed in the supine position, using Ayurveda-based techniques (head treatment). This was a crossover study design, wherein the same participants were enrolled in both the head treatment intervention group, and control group; there was an interval of one week or more between measurements.…”