Ayurvedic Massages Guide for Menopausal Health

How to Balance Menopausal Symptoms with Ayurvedic Massages?

According to Ayurveda, menopausal symptoms are Vata and Pitta dominant, whereas kapha dosha levels remain stable. Why? It is because a woman's body changes from a pitta dominant adulthood, which covers the reproductive phase of a woman, to late adulthood, which is vata prevalent as vata in your body aggravates as you age. So, how can Ayurvedic massages help you to balance these symptoms? Let's find out how.

And this is where ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy, better known as the 'Rasayana' therapy, plays a role. Rasayana therapy/Rejuvenation therapy involves procedures and techniques that help increase your body's moisture content. Before learning why rejuvenation therapy can solve your menstrual symptoms, let us understand why increasing your 'juice content' in your body is essential. Menopause being a vata dominant phase accompanied by Pitta aggravation, the combined effects of both these doshas leave your body dehydrated. Prolonged effects of aggravated vata and pitta lead to tissue depletion, leading to various other complications. The drying effects of Vata need something soothing, and the outbursts of pitta energy need something to calm down its aggravation. So, to balance these effects, your body needs to increase its moisture content. 

Self-massages is one of the mighty deep hydration techniques that can effectively improve the 'juice in your body' by penetrating deeper tissue layers and providing essential nutrition. Therefore, massages can help you soothe the dehydrating and drying effects of aggravated vata by increasing the penetration of oil deep into the skin. They also calm down the pitta symptoms by providing a cooling effect. Massages are one of the best hydration techniques that can help you rejuvenate your tissues, and Ayurveda recommends reducing ageing signs.

What Are the Benefits of Self-Massages?

• It helps to provide deep hydration and adequate nutrition
• It promotes mental tranquillity
• Boosts circulation
• Boosts mental function
• Relieves pain and inflammation
• It improves skin texture and stimulates hair growth
• Combats irritation
• Enhances mood
• Lubricates internal organs 
• Strengthens bones and joints
• Improves joint mobility.

Now let us move on to explore the benefits of Ayurvedic self-massages

How Massages Are The Best Sources of Self-Love

Ayurveda considers lifestyle to be one of the critical factors that enormously impact your health and well-being. In treating menopausal symptoms, Ayurveda stresses bringing positive lifestyle modifications along with specific dietary guidelines. The Ayurvedic way of living focuses on using mineral wealth, herbal medications and relaxation techniques like massages and meditation.

During menopause, women experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, brain fog, mood swings, loss of libido, anxiety, anger, panic attacks, palpitations, bloating, weight gain, difficulty in sleeping, night sweats, joint pain and inflammation, thinning of hair, dry skin, brittle nails and bones. Ayurveda suggests the use of 'snehana' in conditions where vata aggravates, making your body run out of juice or moisture content.

How Does Ayurveda Explain the Concept of Snehana?

Snehana, an external oleation therapy, is a prerequisite for panchakarma/purification procedures in Ayurveda. Self-massage/ Abhyanga is one of the basic yet powerful techniques that helps to alleviate aggravated vata and, thereby, menopausal symptoms caused by vata. The Sanskrit word snehana means oil/ love. You can perceive it as covering your body with the warmth and love of oil.

Abhyanga- Self-Massage to Calm Your Vata

Ayurveda recommends abhyanga/oil massage as one of the daily routines/ dinacharya. It is one of the relaxing techniques with enormous therapeutic benefits. Daily abhyanga is one of the critical factors that can help you prevent the signs of ageing and impart longevity and health.

What is the Process to Perform Abhyanga?

Abhyanga is not just about applying oil all over the body but is a procedure you must perform with dedication and engagement. You can perform it using warm oil on the entire body, including the soles, from the scalp to your feet. For performing abhyanga, it is ideal to massage your body with mild pressure for at least fifteen minutes. Sesame oil is one of the best oils for abhyanga, and you can also use other vata-balancing oils like almond or medicated oils. Abhyanga should be performed in long strokes on the limbs and circular strokes on the joints moving up and towards the heart.

How Often Should You Perform Abhyanga?

You can perform Abhyanga daily and for vata balancing effects. Practising it at least three to four times a week is ideal. 

Other Self Massages

Shiro Abhyanga - The Instant Stress Buster

Shiro Abhyanga/Abhyanga of the head involves massaging your head, shoulders and neck with a warm oil. It soothes and balances your body by providing instant stress relief.

Oil Pulling

The practice involves oil-based oral rinses, which help to pull out toxins from your mouth. You can swish oil around your mouth with cold-pressed oils like sesame or coconut oil for about 15- 20 minutes.

Ear Oiling

Also known as karna purana, this massage technique involves placing a few drops of oil into one ear while lying on one side and waiting 5 minutes for the warm oil to absorb. This technique is highly effective in curing vata imbalances of your head, neck and ears.

Nasal Oiling

Also known as Nasyam, this massage involves placing a few drops of oil into each nostril and tilting the head, followed by taking a deep breath and gently massaging the external part of your nose.

Understanding Different Types of  Relaxation Techniques as Self-Care Rituals for Menopausal Comfort

To Conclude 

Ayurvedic massage and self-care rituals can help menopausal women get through this transitional phase of life with greater ease and comfort. These practices of self-massages and self-care routines can promote holistic well-being and help menopausal women find relief from common menopausal symptoms. Contact our Nirva health experts for your personalised plans on ayurvedic massages for menopausal symptom relief!