By Suzana Mussiow |
Pinda Sweda – An ancient Healing Massage for Pain Relief |
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Modern lifestyle is not in accordance with the natural way of living and that usually has a negative effect on your health.
One of the most common problems is unnatural sitting posture.
It causes lower back pain, stiff neck, shoulder pain, muscle contraction and reduced joint mobility.
Pina Sweda, an ancient ayurvedic massage, is effective in treating this problem.
Pinda Sweda is used for treating:
- Back pain
- Stiff neck and shoulders
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Insomnia
- Arthritis
- Rheumatism
- Gout
- Joint stiffness
- Reduced mobility
Abhyanga, a relaxing massage with warm oil is performed before performing Pina Sweda.
After Abhyanga, body is massaged by using hot linen pads that are filled with rice, milk and herbs.
The warmth of linen pads opens the body’s channels and boost circulation, allowing healing milk and rice to penetrate deep into the tissue.
This treatment renews and revitalizes the whole body.
How to Prepare Ingredients for Pina Sweda
There are various recipes for Pinda Sweda in Ayurvedic medicine.
I will give you a basic recipe that was used during my practice in Ayurvedic clinics.
Ingredients for Pinda Sweda:
- 2 cups of high-quality organic rice (basmati or brown rice)
- ½ garlic clove
- 4 cups of whole milk
- 1 cup of water
Ingredients for plant-based milk:
- 15 g of herbs: ginger, rosemary, lavender
- 1 liter of whole milk
Preparation:
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Cook the healing rice with milk
Wash the rice. Heat the milk with water. When it boils, add washed rice. Cook on low heat until the rice softens and absorbs the liquid. Cut garlic in large pieces and add in rice (5-7 minutes before finishing). Remove from the heat after the rice is done.
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Prepare plant-based milk
Grind herbs in a coffee grinder and mix in equal proportion.
You can add a teaspoon of curcuma which is an excellent pain remedy.
You can also prepare your own mixture and add other herbs such as comfrey, devil’s claw, cayenne pepper, sage and mint.
Pour one bottle of whole milk into a wide bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of grinded herbs. Put the milk on stove until it boils. When it boils leave it on low heat for a minute, then remove and leave a side for 5 minutes.
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Prepare hot pads
Take a deeper plate and put a dishtowel or linen rag over it. In the middle of a linen rag put one kitchen spoon full of hot rice, then shape it into a ball and wrap the ends and tie them with a ribbon or a rope. Take one more linen rage and repeat the procedure.
Soak the linen pads into hot plant-based milk. Leave them to soak for the milk to saturate the rice.
How to Perform a Massage
Perform a short Abhyanga (previously prepare heated sesame or olive oil). When the entire body is oiled, it is time for Pinda Sweda.
Before you begin with the treatment there is one warning – be careful not to get burned! Pinda Sweda is performed with very warm linen pads.
Since the treatment is performed at home you can pick the best place where to do it. It is important that the room is warm and that you feel comfortable while sitting on a chair or bed.
To isolate your hand from warmth grab the linen pad where you have wrapped it with a rope.
Check the temperature with your palm. Be careful because the pad’s inside can be very hot! This is a warm treatment and it is important for the pads to be warm during the whole procedure.
Start by lightly pressing the skin with pads for the skin to adjust to the warmth. Then circulate energetically all over the body, muscles, shoulders, neck and around wrists.
While holding linen pad with one hand use the other hand to massage and apply rice mixture to the skin.
Pads should be changed all of the time because the treatment has to be warm and it has to induce the body to sweat.
Pay special attention to painful areas and wrists.
Milk has an anti-inflammatory effect, it nourishes, hydrates and refreshes the skin. The skin becomes gentler and shiny.
Pina Sweda should last at least for 30 minutes.
After the treatment wrap yourself in a sheet and rest for 15 minutes.
Then take a shower or a hot bath. If you are doing the treatment in the evening it will make your sleep pleasant and relaxing.
Until our next encounter, be happy and healthy!
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