How Padabhyangam Therapy Heals Your Body and Mind

What is Padabhyangam Therapy?


Ayurveda is an indispensable way of living that uses methodically crafted therapies to ensure smooth bodily function and restored wellness. Ayurveda stresses on life-long healing through therapies and procedures. The “mother” of all therapies is known as “Padabhyangam”.

Padabhyangam can be loosely translated as “foot massage “or “foot therapy”. This therapy holds a special place of importance in Ayurveda because our feet connect our body with the earth. Foot care is holistic and involves massaging the pressure points with herbal and medicinal oils. Applying the right massage techniques relieves the body of its ailments and restores the root of our body and soul through our feet.

Padabhyangam Therapy Procedure and How it Impacts the Body


There are several different techniques used in Padabhyangam to administer a beneficial oil massage.

Hand Techniques

Padabhyangam 2

Sesame oil is the preferred oil in Padabhyanga because it is a powerful antioxidant and is easily absorbed in the skin.

Cow ghee, Ksheerabala tailam, and Eranda tailam are also used. Mahamasha tailam, Ksheerabala tailam, Mahanarayana tailam, Kottamchukkadi tailam, Murivenna, Pinda tailam, Tiktaka ghritam, and Guggulutiktaka ghritam are all medicated oils frequently used for the therapy as well.

Applying generous amounts of the medicated or herb oil on the foot and massaging releases toxins. After liberally applying the oil to the soles, heels, ankle joints, and legs, it is then rubbed energetically into the bones of the joint and tendon. In general, this 30 minute massage can extend up to an hour of stroking and rubbing the feet.

The energy points are focused upon with care to ensure they are activated. They stimulate the flow of energy and direct it in the intended way. The practitioner applies moderate pressure in circular motions to generate a calming and rejuvenating experience.

Kasa Bowl

Padabhyangam 3

Ayurvedic treatments often include the extensive use of metals. Bowls made from bronze and tin help eliminate toxins from the body. They also help maintain body temperature and balance. Applying the strokes in circular motions on the plantar surface particularly helps in blood circulation. Copper, tin, and bronze are all popular and widely used. A small bronze bowl called “kasa” is often coated with oil and warmed up to gently massage the foot.

The feet are also exposed to the fumes of herbal decoctions, if required.

Marma Therapy

Padabhyangam 4

Body Parts Treated in Padabhyangam Therapy


Ayurveda illustrates that different parts of the feet correspond to different organs in the body. The feet have pressure points called “marma”. These are the energy centers that run throughout the body. When pressed, it triggers the circulatory energies in the liver, kidneys, stomach, neck, heart, head, and other organs.

In Ayurveda, five marmas (vital areas) out of 107 marmas are located in each foot and they also contain many nerve endings. Padabhyanga helps release all the negative energy from these marmas and contributes to good health and well-being.

It is safe to say that Padabhyanga directly influences the subconscious nature while simultaneously providing a psychological cleansing effect.

“Pada” in Sanskrit means “foot” and “abhyangam” means “massage using oils”. Together, this means foot massage. This Ayurvedic therapy considers our feet as the focal point of all energies that connect the body to the earth; just the way the roots of a tree connect its branches, trunk, and leaves to the mother earth. Nourishment of the root yields a good fruit, so nourishment through Padabhyangam yields wellness of the body.

This therapy begins with applying lukewarm oil or ghee to the feet, including soles, heels, ankle joints, and legs. Applying the oil liberally allows instant purgation for detoxification. Many organs in the body have nerves that terminate in the feet, so a therapy that focuses on treating these nerves proves quite beneficial for those experiencing general health and mind issues. Padabhyangam helps to strengthen these nerves and restores health to many parts of the body.

Diseases & Conditions Treated in Padabhyangam


There are multiple health benefits of this therapy:

  • Padabhyanga relieves stiffness, dryness, and numbness of the leg and foot
  • Offers sturdiness and stability to the foot and limbs
  • Promotes healthy eyesight and hearing senses
  • Prevents/cures sciatica through enhanced blood circulation and improved peripheral circulation
  • Prevents foot ailments and relieves contraction of muscles, ligaments, and vessels of the feet
  • Prevents cracks in the foot and leaves the feel looking healthier and attractive
  • Padabhyanga reduces stress, calm the mind, and allows a rejuvenated mind and body
  • Relaxes and revitalizes the central nervous system
  • Removes fatigue from the lower limbs and improves quality of sleep
  • Activates metabolism, cures headaches, and prevents onset of degeneration
  • Helps to calm and maintain the “Vata Dosha” which in excess is considered the main cause of major illnesses
  • Provides overall immunity to the body

Conditions that are holistically treated in Padabhyanga include:

  • Hypertension
  • Hemiplegia and paraplegia
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Epilepsy
  • Diabetic neuropathy
  • Anxiety
  • Sprains, cramps, and numbness of the feet and legs
  • Roughness and cracking of the feet

Who is Padabhyangam Therapy Recommended For?


Padabhyangam, a soothing and calming massage, is highly recommended on a daily basis before going to bed. A gentle massage including stroking and rubbing of the foot generates better cardiovascular circulation in the foot and helps you feel relaxed.

If you particularly experience fatigue, insomnia, grogginess or cramps, a simple 15 minute foot massage may help relieve your condition. Foot reflexology has a positive effect on the mind and body. The use of Padabhyangam promotes healthy growth in children, allows adults to maintain their vigor and strength, and helps prevent the onset of degenerative diseases in older people.

Padabhyangam should not be done when you have a cold, fever, toxin-induced coma, blood infection, thrombosis, indigestion, abnormal skin condition, or any circulatory disorder of the lower limbs.

In short, if you wish to rejuvenate and fortify your health, Padabhyangam is the recommended therapy for you.

Ensure that you receive the therapy from an experienced practitioner or massage therapist.

Reference Links

 
  • https://www.yogicgyan.com/padabhyangam/
  • http://jeevana.in/2017/05/09/mother-of-all-ayurvedic-therapies-padabhyanga-assures-vital-benefits/
  • http://www.shantiyoga.com.au/articles/ayurveda/padabhyanga-ayurvedic-foot-massage
  • https://www.nuayurveda.com/ayurvedic-treatments/padabhyanga/

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What is Ayurveda?

Practiced by the great sages of ancient India, Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of holistic medicine defined as Knowledge of Life (Ayu meaning life and Veda meaning knowledge). It describes the healthy and unhealthy state of life (mind and body) and describes the methods of balancing unhealthy conditions. Ayurveda focuses on the wellness of every person as a whole. Since the constitution differs from person to person, the wellness therapies also differ and are unique to every individual.

What is Naturopathy?

Human beings have remarkable recuperative powers that can heal the body on its own without external chemical or surgical interference, which simply suppresses symptoms but does not heal nor remove the root cause of the disease. Naturopathy seeks to heal the body by promoting its own internal processes. Naturopathy gives importance to internal hygienic conditions using healing therapies such as Dietetics, Hydrotherapy, Mud therapy, Reflexology, and Massage, among others.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a lifestyle, to be incorporated. It includes practices like Kriyas, Asanas, Pranayama, Bandha, Mudra, Meditation etc.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a holistic energy healing technique where a certified healer directs universal energy to the person who seeks healing. This restores your emotional, physical and spiritual energy.

What is included in your all-inclusive package?

If you choose our all-inclusive package, you will get a well-appointed luxurious room, Ayurvedic therapies, Naturopathic therapies ( hydrotherapy, massage, mud therapy, reflexology, dietetics) yoga sessions, acupuncture, all meals, all amenities, and a personal wellness consultation.

What types of food do you have?

Our culinary program is based on a wholesome, balanced and portioned diet. All of the food served at YO1 is locally sourced, organic, and sustainable. The ingredients that are used are free of harmful chemicals, alkaline, and genetic modification to create meals that promote an optimum state of health.

Where are you located?

We are located in the tranquil Catskills Mountains in Monticello, New York. Resting on over 1,300 acres of pristine landscape, including the historic and impressive Kutsher property, YO1 is easily accessible and offers guests the fresh air and serenity needed to make the profound changes in their lives that they are seeking.