Ayurvedic acupressure
Ayurvedic Acupressure (also known as Marma therapy)[1] is a particular kind of massage or an alternative medical treatment, which integrates the knowledge of ancient Ayurveda and the principles of Acupressure, allegedly to completely heal and cure physical, mental, emotional and spiritual illnesses.
According to Charaka Samhitā, an early text on Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine), the cosmos and its correspondence – the human body, are composed of both physical (Visible) and metaphysical (Invisible) forces.
Ayurvedic acupressure talks about 10 elements – 5 physical and 5 metaphysical.
- 5 physical elements: – Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
- 5 metaphysical elements: – Time, Direction, Mind, Soul and Tam (Origin).
In Ayurveda the pressure points or the meridians are called Marma points.[2] These are considered as energy points, just as Chinese refer them as pressure points, and they help in stimulating not only circulation, but also improve mental and emotional outlook. The Marma points are located throughout the body.
Treatment in Ayurvedic Acupressure can be easily done without needles by:
- Applying pressure with finger
- Seeds
- Magnets
- Colours
There are many branches of acupressure/acupuncture[3] as we know it today. They are
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Ayurvedic Acupressure
- Sujok[4]
- Reflexology
These are just some of the forms. The scope and theories of each are a bit different.
