Marma Therapy - Purpose, Benefits, Precautions & More...

WHAT IS MARMA?

Marma is the vital parts or areas of the body. This term comes from the Sanskrit word Mri means death. There is a Sanskrit phrase, "Mariyatiti marma" this means there is a likelihood of death or serious damage to health, when these points are inflicted or when it hurts. Marma is also referred to as any open, exposed, weak or sensitive part of the body. In Ayurveda, these points on the body are located at the intersections of veins, muscles, joints, bones, ligaments and tendons. These points are considered vital points because they are infused with prana (life force energy). These vital points can be activated by touch or massage and their violation may be life-threatening. Marma points play a great role in Ayurveda's healing power. These are the doorways into the body and consciousness.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARMA

The combination of Mansa (muscles), Sira (Blood vessels), Snayu (tendons and ligaments), Asthi (Bones), and Sandhi (Joints) is known as Marma. Mainly, life exists in these vital parts. That is why any trauma or deformity in these points leads to serious complications¹.

CLASSIFICATION OF MARMA

Acharya Sushruta mentioned that "Saptotaram marmashatam" means there are 107 marmas in our body. These 107 marmas are divided into five parts:

According To The Location On The Body:

• On lower extremities - 11 in the right leg and 11 in the left leg- total 22 (Kshipra, Talhridya, Kurcha, Kurchshir, Gulfa, Indrabasti, Janu, Aani, Urvi, Lohitaksh, and Vitap) 
• On upper extremities - 11 in the right arm and 11 in the left arm- total 22  (Kshipra, Talhridya, Kurcha, Kurchshir, Manibandh, Indrabasti, Karpur, Aani, Urvi, Lohitaksha, and Kakshdar) 
• On the chest and stomach - 12 (Guda, Basti, Nabhi, Hridya, 2 Stanmool, 2 Stanrohit, 2 Aplapa, 2 Apstambha)
• On the back - 14 (2 Katiktarun, 2 Kukundar, 2 Nitamba, 2 Parshavsandhi, 2 Brihati, 2 Ansphalak, 2 Ansa)
• On the head and neck - 37 (4 Dhamniyan, 8 Matrikayein, 2 Krikatika, 2 Vidhur, 2 Phan, 2 Apanga, 2 Avarta, 2 Utkshepa, 2 Shankh, 1 Sthapani, 5 Simanta, 4 Shringatak, 1 Adhipati)

According To Anatomical Positions:

• Mansamarma - 11 (4 Talhridya, 4 Indrabasti, 1 Guda, and 2 Stanrohit)
• Shiramarma - 41 (2 Nila, 2 Manya dhamani, 8 Matrikayein, 4 Shringatak, 2 Apanga, 1 Sthapani, 2 Phan, 2 Stanmool, 2 Aplapa, 2 Apstambha, 1 Hridya, 1 Nabhi, 2 Parshavsandhi, 2 Brihati, 4 Lohitaksha, and 4 Urvi)
• Snayumarma - 27 (4 Aani, 2 Vitap, 2 Kshadhar, 4 Kurcha, 4 Kurchashir, 1 Basti, 4 Kshipra, 2 Ansa, 2 Vidhur, and 2 Utksepa)
• Asthimarma - 8 (2 Katiktarun, 2 Nitamba, 2 Ansaphalak, and 2 Shankh)
• Sandhimarma - 20 (2 Janu, 2 Karpur, 5 Simant, 1 Adhipati, 2 Gulfa, 2 Manibandh, 2 Kukundar, 2 Avarta, and 2 Krikatika)

According To The Effect On The Body:

• Sadya pranhar marma - Injury to these points causes sudden death. They are 17 in number (4 Shringatak, 1 Adhipati, 2 Shankh, 8 Kantha sirayein, 1 Guda, 1 Hridya, 1 Basti, and 1 Nabhi) 
• Kalantar pranhar marma - Injury to these points will cause death after some days. They are 33 in number (2 Aplapa, 2 Apstambha, 2 Stanrohit, 2 Stanmool, 5 Simant, 4 Talhridya, 4 Kshipra, 4 Indrabasti, 2 Katiktarun, 2 Parshavsandhi, 2 Brihati, 2 Nitamba) 
• Vaishalyaghan marma - life till the foreign body is in body and if it removes it will cause death. They are 3 in number (2 Utkshepa, 1 Sthapani)
• Vaikalyakar marma - 44 (2 Janu, 4 Aani, 4 Urvi, 4 Lohitaksh, 4 Kurcha, 2 Vitap, 2 Karpur, 2 Kukundar, 2 Kakshdar, 2 Krikatika, 2 Vidhur, 2 Ansa, 2 Ansphalak, 2 Apanga, 2 Phan, 2 Nila, 2 Manya, 2 Aavarta)
• Rujakar marma - 8 (2 Gulfa, 2 Manibandh, and 4 Kurchshir)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MARMA?

Basically, there are four basic purposes of Marma:

• Remove blockage in the channels known as Strotas
• Pacifies Vata dosha
• Gives physical, mental, and emotional relaxation
• Powerful and dynamic transformation at the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level

WHAT IS MARMA THERAPY?

Marma Therapy is a traditional Ayurvedic massage technique that helps in sustaining the flow of energy throughout the body. By just stimulating these marma points, they produce vital energy along with a complex system of subtle channels called Nadis. Basically, this marma therapy provides relief from various pains. It is also believed that marma therapy provides instant relief from pain than any analgesics. This therapy aims at changing or improving biochemistry inside the body.

HOW TO PERFORM MARMA THERAPY?

During Marma therapy, deep stimulation should be given to the marma points on the body. The Marma therapy should be performed by a trained Marma therapist. Because this needs constant pressure and perfect technique to stimulate the marma points and provide better results. This should be performed like:

• Constant pressure with the help of thumb or finger
• Put pressure on marma points at least 20 times
• To know whether the pressure is accurate or not, if the patient feels light pain on putting pressure then this means the pressure is accurate and continue with the procedure

BENEFITS OF MARMA THERAPY

The benefits of Marma therapy are:

• It provides relief from acute or chronic pain 
• Detoxification at all levels
• Balances all three doshas
• It releases neuro-chemicals such as serotonin, melatonin for improved cognitive functions and deeper sleep
• This therapy releases stagnant energy and stimulates the internal organs, hormones, and other chemicals to help meet all the needs of the body.

PRECAUTIONS FOR MARMA STIMULATION

We have to take some precautions before doing Marma therapy:

• Knowledge of exact points of marma
• The patient should be fed with light food
• The amount of pressure should be known
• If the patient has low satva (less tolerating power) then the procedure should be in a lying position
• Incorrect stimulation may lead to swelling in that area
• Don't use any kind of wooden or steel object for therapy because the hands are the best instrument for safe and accurate therapy

TRIMARMA

Acharya Charak mentioned the three important marma in our body. They are included in Pranayatana i.e. site of Prana (life). We know that as the base is destroyed, the dependent is also destroyed. Likewise, the destruction of any of the three marmas may destroy the individual prana. These three marmas i.e Shira, Hridya, and Basti are the important organs that represent the different systems of the body and those are the Nervous system, cardiovascular system, and Urinary system respectively.

These Trimarma are explained in the Charak Samhita in the 26th chapter of Chikitsasthan. These three marmas are the center points of life. Any injury to these three marmas causes sudden death of the individual. These three organs are the central authoritative organ of the sensing system of the body.

SYMPTOMS OF MARMAGHAT (INJURY TO THE MARMA POINTS)

Any trauma to the Marma points will always lead to grave injury. If a person survives from that injury then a deformity will create for the lifetime. Common symptoms of Marmaghat are:

• Giddiness
• Fainting
• Dyspnea
• Heaviness in the body
• Burning sensation all over the body
• Loss of strength and power
• Excessive sweating
• Numbness

CONCLUSION

Marma therapy is very helpful in clearing the blockage in the channels of the body which is responsible for an imbalance of doshas, especially Vata dosha. These marma therapies increase the pain threshold and rejuvenate the major chakras of our body which further results in the enhancement of physical, mental wellbeing. This therapy will yield marvelous results in the management of chronic pain disorders. It is very important that every Ayurvedic physician should know the marma points and how to do marma therapy and what else can be the consequences.

REFERENCES

1. Sushruta Sharirsthan 6/16

Reflexology - Treat Yourself with Ayurvedic Foot Massage - Benefits for the Whole Body, Toe to Head

Ayurveda is an ancient medicine which believes in taking care of the healthy individual and also focuses on treating the patients suffering from various ailments. Ayurveda works on the basic principle i.e. Correcting the imbalance of the three vital energies of the body (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). We can correlate marma therapy with reflexology. Marma (Vital points) are those pressure points through which the energy of these three elements flows. This therapy is done by stimulating the pressure or vital points gently. In today's article, we will discuss how to treat many of our health issues with reflexology, foot massage and the benefits of both.

Let’s discuss! Reflexology i.e., Marma chikitsa. Acharya Sushruta explained the Definition of Marma as Maryanti iti Marmani i.e., Marma are those anatomical points in the body injury to which causes death of the individual. Stimulation to these three points helps in calming the mind and Sustaining Normal Physical or Mental Health. In Ayurveda, Acharya Sushrut mentioned 107 marma in our whole body. The main principle of marma therapy is improving or correcting the biochemistry of the body with the energy releasing at the time of applying pressure. Now, we will discuss marma or pressure points of the foot.

PRESSURE POINTS OF THE FOOT

There are only 5 marma present in the feet of an individual that are:-

1. Kshipra marma
2. Tala Hridaya marma
3. Kurcha marma
4. Kurchashira marma
5. Gulpha marma

Now, I am going to explain the benefits of these 5 marmas as explained thousands of years ago by our Acharyas in Our Ancient Literatures.

1. Kshipra Marma

This is a type of snayu marma (ligament marma), with a size of ardhangual (approx. half finger or 0.88 cm). It is situated in between the big and first toe. Kshipra marma controls the functioning of the cardiovascular system and lungs. It also sways the rasa vaha (Lymphatic system) and pranavaha srotas (Respiratory system) along with the lubrication of respiratory and cardiac systems.

2. Tala Hridaya

This is a type of mamsa marma (muscular marma), having the size of an ardhaangula (approx. 0.88cm or half finger). It is mainly located in the centre of the foot or in the middle of the foot sole. The primary function of this marma is to control respiration and blood circulation. It also enhances the immunity and controls the circulation in the right or left foot by maintaining the balance of vyana and apana vayu.This in turn, improves the heat reception on skin and feet as well.

3. Kurcha Marma

This is a type of snayu marma (Ligament or tendon marma), that has a size of a paanital (centre of the palm). Kurcha marma is located two fingers above or on both sides of the kshipra marma. This is coupled with the function of prana vayu and the digestive system. It also helps in improving the eyesight as it controls the alochaka pitta. This further helps in improving the sensory activity by improving the vital forces.

4. Kurchashira Marma

Kurchashira is a type of Snayu marma (ligament marma) with a size of ekangula (approx. 1.76 cm or 1 finger). It is located below the joint of the ankle. This is interconnected with mamsa vaha srotas (muscular system). Particularly, it sustains the body posture and improves the coordination between the muscles of both the legs. It also nurtures visual activity, stimulates the reproductive system, and improves the digestive fire as well.

5. Gulpha Marma

This is a type of sandhi marma (Bony joint marma), the size is equal to dwiangula (approx. 2 fingers or 3.52cm). It is situated at the junction of the ankle joint. It mainly regulates the medavaha (fat tissue and bone marrow), asthi vaha srotas (bones and joints) and shukra vaha srotas (reproductive system). It assists in managing the pain, injury, muscular sprain, and different movements of the body by improving coordination. This marma also regulates the vyana vayu and Shleshak kapha (lubrication of joints).

HOW TO DO MARMA THERAPY?

It's A Big Question!

Yes, it's very important to know the procedure of reflexology or marma therapy. The next question is Do I need an assistant?

No, you can do marma therapy on your own. The procedure is well explained below.

For the stimulation of marma just apply gentle pressure on the said points using the tips of the fingers. Massage them in circular motion for at least 5 minutes. You can also apply oil for massaging the pressure points.

Foot Massage (Pada Abhyanga)

After learning about the marma (vital points) of the feet and the procedure as per ancient Ayurvedic Literature, Lets discuss the foot massage which is known as Pada Abhyanga in Ayurveda.

Foot massage is a therapy that needs to be part of our daily lifestyle as it possesses lots of health benefits. In this, Massage is done gently over the feet with Medicated Oils. These medicated oils have their unique properties which aid in relaxing the body and soothing the mind.

Massage should be done for at least 5 to 10 minutes with the medicated herbal oils as per the indication of the disease.

Shloka Reference- Charaka Sutrasthana (5/90-92)

As per the above Shloka, Acharya Charaka mentioned the benefits of padabhaya (foot massage) in Charaka, Sutrasthana that it aids in removing the dryness, stiffness, roughness, tiredness, and numbness in the feets. It also provides luster to the skin, strength to the body and stability to the feet. This mainly pacifies Vata Dosha and also assists in improving the vision. This also prevents the occurrence of Vata Disorders such as Gridrasi (sciatica), cracking of ankles, etc.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF REFLEXOLOGY AND FOOT MASSAGE

Now, after knowing about the procedure and description about the therapies, let us know the various Health Benefits of Reflexology and Foot massage

1. Encourages Good Sleep 
2. Improves the Cardiovascular circulation and strengthens the heart.
3. Soothes the CNS
4. Aids in relieving pain and body aches
5. Eliminates edema from the body
6. Lowers Blood pressure
7. Ease Menstrual symptoms
8. Makes you healthy and fit

Conclusion

Thus, coming to an end we can say that Ayurveda is an ancient medicine which has a solution to every ailment as this foot massage or Reflexology is also already mentioned in our Ancient Texts by the name of Marma Chikitsa or Padabhyanga. I hope this information will help you in sustaining your normal health naturally just by sparing 10-15 minutes daily out of your Busy schedules. The above provided information is true and presented to you in an effective or innovative way.