UNDERSTANDING OF ABHYANGA IN RELATION TO SKIN ANATOMY-A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW

*Prathibha M., Ananta S. Desai, Basavaraj G. Saraganachari and Dr. Chandu Metri

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda system of medicine has holistic approaches in curative, preventive and promotive approach in the field of medicine. This system advocates certain treatment modalities and day to day rites which could be considered as part of health and wellbeing. Irrespective of system of medicine, every procedure has a rationale behind each and every procedure or treatment modality. Being the medical fraternity it is necessary to understand the science behind before prescribing the treatment. Abyanga is a process by which the body surface i.e the integument undergoes manual pressure by various techniques and various substances to provide not only relaxation of the body but also the pacification of several types of diseases. Though this therapy is popularly practised throughout the world, very little is known about the mechanism of this therapy. To achieve a better understanding, a rough idea about the anatomy of the integument i.e skin is necessary. Here in this article an attempt has been done to understand the action and efficacy in relation to anatomy of skin is made.

Keywords: Integument, Abhynga, Ayurveda, Anatomy.