Marma Therapy

     Marma therapy is an important tool of both disease prevention and disease treatment in Ayurveda. It can be used to balance the doshas, to increase agni (the digestive fire), for detoxification (reduce ama), as well as to promote energy (vajikarana) and aid in rejuvenation (rasayana). It can be part of special clinical methods (like Pancha Karma) but also part of self-care and our daily health regimen. For example, massaging marma points on the head, like those around the eyes, ears, nostrils and mouth, is an important way to stimulate one’s mind and senses in the morning. Relative to diseases, marma therapy is particularly good for arthritis and other structural problems, as well as for treating any type of nerve pain or paralysis.

The treatment of marmas, though having many methods, is primarily a matter of therapeutic touch. Ayurveda employs massage and pressure (like acupressure) to marma points. It has various techniques for massaging marma points either by themselves or along with partial or full body massage (usually the best procedure) In its typical fashion, Ayurveda uses special medicated massage oils or tailas, generally herbs prepared in a sesame oil base, of which dozens of different formulas exist manufactured by various Ayurvedic pharmacies. Certain massage oils applied to specific marmas will result in special therapeutic effects to increase energy, reduce toxins, create flexibility or bring about the changes necessary for true healing to occur.

The use of aroma therapy is another important tool for treating marmas, either with massage oils or by themselves. Aromatic oils have a strong ability to influence Prana and alter our energy. Marmas can be massaged or anointed with different aromatic oils, as per the location and conditions. As marmas are sensitive points, they are regions that aromas can penetrate easily and influence the entire body through them.

Stimulating oils like camphor, eucalyptus or cinnamon are used for opening up energy at marma points, while cooling and sedating oils like sandalwood or khus serve to calm or consolidate the energy. Applying camphor, menthol or eucalyptus to the marmas at the side of the nostrils to remove congestion is such a stimulating marma therapy, while applying cooling and calming sandalwood oil to the third eye to treat headaches is such a sedating approach.

Marma Therapy, Yoga and Prana Therapy

While much of marma therapy consists of massage and direct touch, another significant portion consists of energy treatment or pranic healing, in which touch may be light or even indirect. In this regard, the prana of the healer is as important as the physical manipulation of the marmas. We can compare this to the martial arts in which a master with a strong chi or prana can stop or knock down an opponent with his own energy, using only a light touch or no touch at all. An Ayurvedic healer with a good prana can have a strong healing effect by his prana alone, even without using any significant touch or physical manipulation. This more subtle or sattvic form of touch is often best for treating the mind, emotions and deeper consciousness of the person.