World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Trusha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

SJIF Impact Factor 8.084

Volume 12, Issue 6, 137-143. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105

MODE OF ACTION OF PADA-ABHYANGA: A CONCEPTUAL STUDY

Dr. Lunagariya Trusha*1, Dr. Salil Jain2, Dr. Lajwanti Keswani3, Dr. Paras Jain4

1
MD Scholar - Department of Samhita Siddhant, Pt. Khushilal Sharma Government
Autonomous Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal.
2
Lecturer M.D, Ph.D. Department of Samhita Siddhant, Pt. Khushilal Sharma Govt
Autonomous Ayurveda College & Institute, Bhopal.
3
M.D. (Ayu.), Reader & HOD, Department of Samhita Siddhant, Pt. Khushilal Sharma Govt.
Autonomous Ayurveda College & Institute, Bhopal.
4
MD Scholar - Department of Samhita Siddhant, Pt. Khushilal Sharma Government
Autonomous Ayurveda College and Institute, Bhopal.

ABSTRACT
Article Received on
28 Feb. 2023, Application of oil on foot followed by massage is popularly known as
Revised on 21 March 2023, Pada abhyanga. Usually, pada abhyanga is performed as a part of
Accepted on 11 April 2023
DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20236-27715 Sarvang-Abhyanga. However, it is mentioned to massage over the
head, ear and foot especially. Duration, procedure and specific
medicines is not mentioned. Eastern spiritual practices believe that our
*Corresponding Author
Dr. Lunagariya Trusha
body and soul are connected and embodied in our feet. In Indian
MD Scholar - Department of culture therefor, washing and touching feet of guru, elders and parents
Samhita Siddhant, Pt. show respect to them. Pad abhayanga provides benefits as pada
Khushilal Sharma
sakumaya, pad sthairya, nidrakara, deha-sukhkar, chakshusya, shram-
Government Autonomous
supti hara, Marut-upshaman. The science of Reflexology states that
Ayurveda College and
Institute, Bhopal. there are connections with the soles of the feet and the various organs
of the body. Hence proper foot massage, irrespective of site with
specific oils prevents and cures various diseases. In present era most of people have hectic
lifestyle so practicing full abhayanga is inconvenient. Pada abhyanga is very simple
procedure, requires very less time, less equipment, self-practicable, economic and bare
minimum chances of complication and can be practice without special assistance. So, in this
article attempt has been made to explain mode of action pada abhayanga.

KEYWORDS: Pada abhyanga, Massage, Drastiprasadam, nidrakara, shramhara.

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Trusha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

INTRODUCTION
Pada abhyanga is made of two words, here pada means foot[1] and abhyanga[2] means
massage with Sneha on body in anuloma direction. Pada abhaynaga means massage on feet.
In detail procedure of padabhyanga is not mentioned in classics. Padabhyanga is a type of
bahya snehana wherein application of sneha to the foot is done in different maneuver to get
local and systemic benefit. Eastern spiritual practices believe that our body and soul are
connected and embodied in our feet.in Indian culture therefor, touching, washing feet of guru,
elders and parents show respect to another body and soul. Padabhyanga makes skin soft,
increases bala of legs, reduces Padsphutan (Cracking of feet), Srama (Fatigue), Sthambha
(Stiffness), Sankocha (Contraction or Flexion).[3] So our ancient Acharyas advised daily
Padabhyanga as a part of prophylactic principle of dinacharya.[4] The feet are very important
part in our body as it contains many nerve endings. Ayurveda says that five marmas (vital
areas) out of 107 marmas are located in each foot.[5] Padabhyanga releases negative energy
from these marmas.

In present era most of people have hectic lifestyle so practicing full abhayanga is
inconvenient. Pada abhyanga is very simple procedure, requires very less time, less
equipment, self-practicable, economic and bare minimum chances of complication and can be
practice without special assistance.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Benefits of pad abhyanga as per acharya charak

खयत्वं स्तब्धता यौक्ष्मं श्रभः सुप्ततश्च ऩादम ः|

सद्म एव ऩशाम्मप्तत ऩादाभ्मङ्गननषेवणात ्|
जामते सौकुभामं च फरं स्थैमं च ऩादम ः|
दृप््टः प्रसादं रबते भारुतश्च ऩशाम्मनत|
न च स्माद्गध्र
ृ सीवातः ऩादम ः स्पुटनं न च|
न ससयास्नामुसङ्क चः ऩादाभ्मङ्गेन ऩादम ः|

The roughness, stiffness, dryness, fatigue and numbness of feet are alleviated by massaging
the feet. The feet attain gentleness, strength, firmness, the eyes attain brightness, and
the vata is pacified. Foot massage also prevents grudhrasi (sciatica), cracks in the feet,
contraction of the muscles and blood vessels of legs.[6]

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Trusha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

1. Kharathva- clears roughness of the soles,

2. Stabdhatam- cures stiffness,
3. Roukshyam- corrects excessive dryness of feet,
4. Shrama- relieves strain or exhaustion of feet,
5. Supti- cures n u m b n e s s o f f e e t
6. Saukumarya – feet become soft and smooth
7. Balam-sthairyam-promotes strength of feet
8. Drushti-prassadam- improves eyesight,
9. marut-upshaman - alleviates vatadosha,
10. Gridrasivata na cha-protects from risk of Grudhrasi,
11. Sputanam na cha -prevents or cures crack foot,
12. Sirasnayu-sankochah na cha -prevents cramps of muscles of feet.

Benefits of pad abhyanga as per acharya Sushrut

ननद्राकय दे हसुखश्चऺु्मः श्रभसुप्ततनुत ् |

ऩादत्वङ्भद
ृ क
ु ायी च ऩादाभ्मङ्गः सदा हहतः |

Pada abhyanga induces sleep, relax body, beneficiary foe eye, reduces fatigue, numbness of
leg and makes skin soft.[7]

As per acharya vagbhatta

ऩादाभ्मङ्गस्तु तत्स्थैमनय नद्राद्दप््टप्रसादकृतु|

ऩादसुप्ततश्रभस्तम्बसङ्क चस्पुटनप्रणुत ्||[8]
ऩादाभ्मङ्गस्तु तत्स्थैमनय नद्रादृप््टप्रसादकृत ्|
ऩादसप्ु ततश्रभस्तम्बसङ्क चस्पुटनप्रणत
ु ्|
[9]

Pada abhayanga endows the person with sound sleep during night, improves eye, reduces
numbness of leg, fatigue, stiffness, contraction of muscles and cracks in feet.

Procedure
1. Purva karma: It includes: -
1) Sambhara sangraha – Abhyanga room should be clean and calm place. Medicated oil,
stove to heat oil, Powder to clean oil, Towel.

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Trusha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

2) Preparation of individual –Wash feet and tap dry with soft, clean towel. Explain the
procedure to patient and make to lie in supine /siting position on abhyanga table.

2. Pradhana karma: Padabhyang can be done in different position.

i) Supine position: -
a) Linear maneuver b) Circular maneuver c) Linear & circular massage
ii) Lateral position: - Linear maneuver on right and left lateral sides of foot
iii) Prone position: - a) Linear maneuver to the soles b) Thumb poking on soles

3. Paschat karma: In swastha avastha, Rest for 15-30min is advisable. Then clean oil with
powder later washes feet with hot water. In disease condition, for several hours or till next
application oil can be retained. Later clean with powder, wash with hot water.

DISCUSSION
Mode of action
Abhyanga causes hydrostatic pressure in the extra cellular compartment of the skin. The
fluids of skin are drained to various parts of body during abhyanga due to osmotic pressure.
This pressure increases the blood circulation to the part where abhayanga is done, causing
pooling of the blood to that surface, which leads to absorption of the medicated Sneha.

Massage has local and systemic effects on the body. It mainly affects the nervous system and
endocrine system. But also helps in increasing blood circulation to the skin. It increases
circulation to massaged area, bringing more oxygenated blood and nutrients to the area which
in turn reduces muscle fatigue and soreness. This increase in circulation also aids the removal
of toxins and waste products from the muscle. It relieves muscular tightness, fatigue, stiffness
and spasms.[10]

As Kharathva-Roukshya-Sputana- Supti hara, marut shaman

Kharatwa/ Rukshata (dryness/cracks) are tackled by the snigdha guna of sneha. Local action
like snigdhata can be attained by the sneha used for abhyanga. Local blood circulation
increases through strokes of massage done in padabhyanga. So, Supti (numbness), Sankocha,
Stambha (Stiffness) are relieved.

Vayu dominates in the Sparshanendriya, and this sensory organ is located in the skin. So,
abhyanga pacifies vata dosha.[11]

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Trusha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

As nidrakara and shramahara

Pada abhyanga → Increased acetyl-choline production due to the action potential generated
from the massage due to friction and pressure which are applied during abhyanga.
↓
Locally lymphatic drainage increased
↓
Lymph contains amino acid like tryptophan which increase by abhyanga
↓
As level of tryptophan increases in plasma, it stimulates pineal gland
↓
Secretion of melatonin and serotonin (neuro transmitter)
↓
Serotonin – induce sleep and also helps to control mood of person
Melatonin- sedation and pleasant feeling

So, this action potential with the association of serotonin is responsible for the pleasant and
calming effect during abhyanga.

As chakshusya
Nadi Darpana has enumerated ten nadis situated in head, among which Gandhari and
Hastijihva are related to Left eye and right eye respectively.[12]

The Gandhari nadi is having peacock’s neck like colour, surrounds Ida nadi extends from
pada and end in left netra. Hastijivha is having colour of blue lotus, surrounds the pingala
nadi, extends from pada and ends in netra on the right side.

Acharya Vagbhatta also mentioned that there are 2 siras situated in the centre of pada which
connects to eyes.[13] This relation signifies the role of pad abhyanga with Netra. Routine
abyanaga over the feet will help to strengthen the Visual activity.

 Pada abhyanga and reflexology

The science of Reflexology states that there are connections with the soles of the feet and the
various organs of the body. The point of the foot that directly affects the eyes and ears is
located on the bottom of the foot just below the three middle toes . Second toe
corresponds to eyes and applying pressure over it will relax the muscles of eyes.

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Trusha et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Probable mode of action in Gridhrasi / sciatic pain

Gridhrasi, is a condition where pain starts from low back which radiates to buttocks, thigh,
leg, foot, which simulates with the sciatica- pain along sciatic nerve course.[14] Sciatic nerve
originates in the low back from lumbar spine, passes underneath the gluteal muscles, runs
down the leg and ends in the heel of the foot. There is a sciatic reflex area on the feet which is
a band that run horizontally across the middle of the heel. Padabhyanga done at the sciatic
reflex area may help in preventing sciatica also pain management in sciatica.

Following are the some common benefits of padabhyanga

 Regular practice of Padabhyanga stimulates the vital points on the feet which effectively
improves blood and lymph circulation.
 It effectively works in reducing aches and pain in the lower extremities and also helps in
relieving pains and aches by relaxing muscles and ligaments of body.
 It helps in removing contraction of the ligaments, vessels, and muscles of the feet.
 Padabhyanga is known to stimulate some special regions in the brain that effectively
work in mental relaxation and improve mental health.
 Regular practice of pada abhyanga helps to calm and maintain the “Vata Dosha”.
 It helps in managing sciatica through enhanced blood circulation and improved peripheral
circulation.
 Regular practice provides amazing benefits of Padabhyanga as it helps to overcome
general weakness and fatigue from the lower limbs and improves the quality of sleep and
promotes healthy eyesight.

CONCLUSION
Padabhyanga is a concept beyond massage. Padabhyanga is a holistic approach towards an
effective psychosomatic healing. It improves eyesight, bestows sound sleep, relaxes body and
mind hence reducing stress, and gives pleasant feeling. (Deh sukhkara). Instead of practicing
padabhyanga only as part of sarvang abhyanga, it should be practiced individually as a part
of dincharya for prevention various diseases and for promotion of the health. Pada abhyanga
is very simple procedure, requires very less time, less equipment, self-practicable, economic
and bare minimum chances of complication and can be practiced without special assistance
and still having broad spectrum beneficial effect locally as well as systemic level.

So, pada abhyanga is surely a boon of Ayurveda for the humans(mankind).

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ayurvedic-massage-technique-for-healthy-life-2573-4555-1000252-95904.html
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