MARMA CHIKITSA AND ITS ORIGIN

Marma massage dates back in 1500BC, southern India. An old and revered form of martial arts called Kalaripayattu discovered the location of marma points first. The ancient Kalari masters discovered the power of these points and found that the right pressure could heal and the wrong move can injure or even kill. Tracing the folklore reveals that Lord Shiva sahred this knowledge with his wife Parvathi who in turn taught her son Murugan about the marma system. The knowledge was later passed on to Tamil sage Agastya who further enlightened his students. The ancient text book of medicine from 4rth century, Susruta Samhita focusses on marma and discusses its constructive and destructive potential in great detail.

Susruta Samhita, describes 107 marma points in body. In tamil traditions, 108 marma points are enumerated and in Kalari of kerala 365 marma points are in practice. Major marma points correspond to seven chakras, or energy centres of the body, while minor points radiate out along the trunk and limbs. These areas were so important that soldiers used armour to protect them during battle.

The word marma comes from Sanskrit origin word mri' meaning death The Sanskrit phrase, 'marayate iti marmani, also means death or serious damage to body or health after infliction to the point of their situation. Hence these are called marma. By definition marma point is a junction on body where two or more types of tissues meet, such as muscle, veins, ligaments, bones or joints. Marma therapy is an alternative healing technique that helps restore the balance of the body, mind, and spirit to prove a holistic method of treatment for people suffering from various ailments these are viral points in our body that are energy centres known as marma.

Marma is related to prana. prana is the main seat of vata dosha prana is there in all parts of body. It has a specific way of travelling though out the body the pranan resides in certain parts of the body such as heart, brain, umbilicus, kidney, bony joints etc. when there is imbalance, people come across problems in vital points where prana resides. These vital points are called marma.

The movement of vata dosha is considered very important. Vata dosha has certain pathways in the body. Whenever there is breakage of such pathways, it results in the abhighata of the related marma. Basic aim of marma therapy is to clear the channels to maintain proper circulation of vata. Basically, diseases pertaining to neuro-muscular, loco-motor system, nervous system and blood circulation system are well treated with marma shastra.

From common ailments to serious neuromuscular disease, all can be treated by marma therapy. Common ailments like headache, body ache, faulty spinal aiments, pain in the joints can be rejuvenated through marma chikitsa.

It removes block in energy channels called shrotas
It pacifies vata dosha, bringing it to its normal path-especially vyana vata.
It creates physical, mental and emotional flexibility.
Helps to sustain the flow of energy through out the body.

To name a few diseases in which marma chikitsa is highly effective in giving cure are: