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'Abhyanga' means 'Oil massage'. While a person may perform Abhyanga on his own as part of his daily routine, trained masseurs are required to perform this therapy when it is used for disease management. In Abhyanga, medicated oil is massaged all over the body. The Abhyanga that is part of the daily routine lasts for five to fifteen minutes where as that which is performed for treating diseases may take about 45 minutes.
Massages in Abhyanga can be effectively done with two therapists working on either side of the patient who lies on the droni. The droni is the wooden bed on which the patient is made to lie while undergoing treatment. Special care is to be taken for padabhyanga or foot massage. The marmas or vital points on the soles of the feet are closely related with certain internal organs. The sole of the right foot is massaged in clockwise movement and the left foot in anti clockwise.
The patient reclines in seven standard positions. This begins with the person seated in an upright position, supine or flat on the back, turning to the right side, supine again, turning to the left side, supine once again, and finally sitting as in the beginning. Sometimes the position of lying face down is also adopted.
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