INTERNATIONAL AYURVEDIC MEDICAL JOURNAL International Ayurvedic Medical Journal, (ISSN: 2320 5091) (April, 2017) 5 (4) ROLE OF PAADA ABHYANGA IN PREVENTIVE & CURATIVE ASPECT Nagesh Gandagi1, Shubhangi Patil2, Prakash Ide3 1MD, Ph.D. H.O.D. & Professor, Dept. of P.G. KayaChikitsa 2MD, Professor, Dept. of Roga Nidana & Vikriti Vignan 3MD, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Shareera Rachana Pt. Shivshaktilal Sharma Ayurveda Medical College & Hospital, Ratlam-457001, Madhya Pradesh, India Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT In this fast pacing era and changed lifestyle human being are affected in lot of ways. This changed lifestyle contributes to many sharirik vyadhi (Physical disorders), manasik vyadhi (Mental disorder) and manosharirik vyadhi (Psychosomatic disorders). Dinacharya explained in Ayurveda help to prevent many derangements simultaneously cures the new health problems. Paadaabhyanga is one of the procedures told in dinacharya. It has well known vataghna effect on body. We are very well known that Pakwashaya, kati, sakthi, shrothra, asthi, sparshanendriya are the vata sthanas, out of that pakwashaya is important one. As a Sakthi one can considered as a complete lower extremity also as a vatasthana. Abhyanga or smearing of oil on body part has vataghna and kaphakar effect which can be used for healing, relaxation, to slow down aging or preventing vata rogas. Paadabyan- ga is a systematic therapeutic process of oleation to foot which has preventive and curative benefits on body, leading to generalized sense of well-being. Keywords: Paadaabhyanga, Preventive, Curative, Diseases. INTRODUCTION As Abhyangam “Ab” means to fol- for healing, relaxation, to prevent early ageing, low “Angam” means the body or body part. prevention & treatment of various diseases. Abhyanga is defined as massaging of oil with Acharya Vagbhata told that abhyangam pressure on certain part or on whole body of should be done on Body or part of the body an individual. Abhyanga is an ancient art used specially done on Shira (Head), Shravana Nagesh Gandagi Et Al: Role Of Paada Abhyanga In Preventive & Curative Aspect (Ears) & Pada (Foot) on daily basis Study of Paadaabhyanga as a preventive and (A.H.Su.2/8). Acharya Charaka told that, Vata curative aspect in Vatavikaras etc… dosha is further excited by the atiyoga and mi- thya yoga of panchagnanendrias and pan- MATERIALS AND METHODS chkarmendrias, irregular food habits, standing As the study is a review study, the available for longer time, Excessive travelling, over ex- literature like the samhitas and other books are ertion, anxiety etc. to substantiate, Pada- searched for the Paadaabhyanga and all the abhyanga is done as a part of Dinacharya relevant content is considered and analyzed to (Daily routine) to maintain good health & get a comprehensive concept in the manage- wellbeing. ment of the vata vikaras. AIM 1*Anatomy of Paada (Foot) according to To study the importance of Paadaabyanga in Ayurveda preventive and curative aspect Paada (Foot) is made up of many Asthis (Bones), Sandhis (joints), Peshis (Muscles), OBJECTIVES Snayus (ligaments, Tendons) etc. Study of Paadaabyanga in relation with keep- In each paada, it contains ing health in healthy condition Table 1: Contents of Paada (Foot) Sl. No. Contents Numbers 01 Asthi 26 02 Sandhi 14 03 Peshi 45 04 Snayu 60 Total there are 107 marmas are located in the Mamsa, Sira, Snayu, Asthi & Sandhi, in these body, out of which eight marmas are situated places prana resides, especially by nature. in the sole of both legs. Hence, any injury to these parts can be painful Marma is a vital point on the surface of the & cripple the local functions or even lead to body which is related to the confluence of sudden death of the individual. Table 2: Marmas of foot and its importance Marmas No. Dimension Location Type Anatomical struc- Parinama tures (Effects) 1. Kshipra 02 ½ angula In between Big toe Snayu marma First Intermetatarsal Death due to & next toe Kalantara ligament Convulsions Praanhara 2. Kurcha 02 4 angula 2 angula above Snayu marma; Intermetatarsal & Foot drop & IAMJ: APRIL, 2017 1318 Nagesh Gandagi Et Al: Role Of Paada Abhyanga In Preventive & Curative Aspect Kshipra marma, on Vaikalyakara Tarso-metatarsal tremors its both sides si- ligament tuated 3. Talahridaya 02 ½ angula Centre of the sole Mamsa marma Long Plantar liga- Death due to on the line of the Kalantara ment severe pain Midline Praanhara 4.Kurchashira 02 1 angula Below the ankle Snayu marma; Lateral ligaments of Pain & Swel- joint, on its both Vaikalyakara ankle joint ling sides are situated 5. Gulpha 02 2 angula Meeting place of Sandhi marma Tibia-Fibula, Talus; Pain, stiffness Pada (Foot) & Rujaakara Anterior tibiofibular, & lameness Jangha (foreleg) lateral collateral & or limping of deltoid ligament leg Foot Marmas: 1. Kshipra 2. Kurucha 3. Talahridaya 4. Kurchashira Marma Chikitsa: By Paada-abhyanga, stimulates the marma points. It plays important role in removed obstacles in the flow of prana (life force) thus improve energy flow in the body. Table 3: Mode of action of thaila on vata dosha: Sr.No. Characteristics of Vayu Characteristics of Thaila 1. Rooksha (Dry) Snigdha (Unctuous) 2. Laghu (light) Guru (Heavy) 3. Khara (Rough) Mrudu (Soft) IAMJ: APRIL, 2017 1319 Nagesh Gandagi Et Al: Role Of Paada Abhyanga In Preventive & Curative Aspect Rooksha, Laghu, Sheeta, Khara, Sukshma, mentioned that Abhyanga is to be done in Anu- Chala is the qualities of vata dosha. Among loma direction. these qualities Rooksha is the main quality. Qualities of taila are opposite to Vata dosha General Indications of Paada-Abhyanga qualities. Hence, Taila is used to balance Vata Indicated in Dinacharya (Daily routine) for dosha & cures Vata vikaras. maintenance of health in healthy condition & treatment of disease, specifically in vitiated 2*3*Benefits of Paada Abhyanga: vata vikaras Paada-abhyanga alleviates, . Kharatwa (Coarseness), Stabdhata (Stiff- Contra-Indications of Paada-Abhyanga nesss), Roukshyam (Dryness of the foot), 1. Oil anointing should not be performed in, Shramah (Exhaustion/Fatigue), Pada Supti when the doshas or disease are in Ama state (Numbness of feet) (C.S.Su.5/90), & other (Apakwa-Unripe) benefits of paada-abhyanga are Soukumarya 2. Patient of Acute fever (Taruna-Jwara) & (Softness of Soles), Balam (Strength), Dyspepsia (Ajirna) never be anointed. Sthairya (Stability in feet), Drushti Prasaa- 3. Diseases produced by Santarpana (Over dam (Improved Vision/ maintain good eye- nourishment), oil anointing should not be sight), Maarutaschya Upashamyatee (Con- done.(S.S.Chi.24/35). trols & Balances Vata doshas) (C.S.Su.5/91), Paada-Abhyanga =Sneha-Dravya (Taila or Nidrakara (Promotes sleep & cures sleep dis- Ghrita Used for Foot Massage)- orders like insomnia) (S.S.Chi.24/70)etc. 4* & 5* Sneha dravyas are used, considering the nature of the body Constitution (Prakriti), Sea- According to Dalhana: The effect of abhyanga son (Ritu), Habitat (Desha), Aggravated dosha on dhatus. The oil used to Abhyanga 300 ma- (Kupita vata) etc. tras (65sec) are needed for oil to absorb into the roots of hair. It reaches in the skin in 400 a) According to Prakriti- matras (133sec), in the Rakta 500 matras Vata prakriti - Sesame or Almond Oil (160sec), in the mamsa 600 matras (190sec), Pitta prakriti - Coconut oil, Kokam oil, Sha- in Meda in 700 matras (228sec), in the Asthi tadhauta ghrita 800 matras (240sec) & it reaches to majja if Kapha Prakriti - Mustard oil, Sunflower oil abhyanga performs upto 900 matras etc. (app.285sec). b) According to Ritu- Thus, Abhyanga should apply at least 5 mi- Generally, Paada-Abhyanga should be per- nutes in each position to get its effect in dee- formed with lukewarm oil (taila). But, In win- per tissues like majja dhatu. Therefore, as a ter season-warm oil & in summer season-cold daily routine 10 minutes is sufficient. It is oil is indicated, IAMJ: APRIL, 2017 1320 Nagesh Gandagi Et Al: Role Of Paada Abhyanga In Preventive & Curative Aspect Pada-Sphutana / Pada daari(Crackling of foot/ Rhagades): c) According to Desha- This condition is also seen in vata prakriti lak- In Maharashtra - Til oil, Sunflower oil shanas mentioned in charaka Vimaansthana. In Kerala - Coconut oil It occurs in persons whose occupation is to In Uttarakhanda, Uttara Pradesha, Bihar, Hi- walk long distances daily. It is very common machala Pradesha, Rajasthan - Mustard oil etc. in farmers, labour & villages. Vayu with its intense rooksha guna gets aggravated & pro- d) According to aggravated Doshas- duces cracks & fissures in soles of feet. The In Vata Doshas - Mahanarayana Taila, Ma- patient feels unbearable pain on placing foot hamaasha Taila, Bala Taila, Sahachar Taila on the ground. Pain is reduced on anointing etc. with oil on the cracked portion of the sole of In Pitta Dosha - Ksheerabala Taila, Pinda the feet.(S.S.Ni.13/28). Taila, Chandanaadi Taila, Durvaa Taila etc. In Kapha Dosha - Vishagarbha Taila, Kot- Treatment: tamchukkadi Taila etc. Paadaabhyanga by Pinda Tailam, Kokam Tai- lam etc Daily practice of Paada-abhyanga, Pre- Sira-Snayu Sankoncha (Contraction of blood vents: vessels & ligaments, Muscle cramps) By doing Paadaabhyanga the person will not Muscle cramp is an uncontrolled contraction suffer from Gridhrasi (Sciatica), PaadaSphu- of the muscle & produces intense pain. It all tana (Crackling of Soles), Sira & Snayu San- most often occurs at Calf or Foot region. The kocha (Contraction of veins, ligaments, mus- cause of muscle cramp is taking too much of cles etc.) (C.S.Su.5/92)). dry & rough food, It will aggravates vayu, Muscle fatigue, Overuse injury, Muscle strain, Gridhrasi vat (Sciatica): Standing in the same position for long period, Gridhrasi is one of the Nanaatmaja vyadhi cold atmosphere and lack of exercises etc. and caused by aggravated Vata dosha. Charac- terized by piercing pain or stiffness or cramps Treatment: starts from Sphik region & gradually radiates In muscle cramps, paadaabhyanga with Ma- down to Kati, Jaanu & Pada region leading to shasaindava taila is very use- disability in walking.