Massage & Bodywork
Marma Chikitsa मर्म चिकित्सा
Vital-point therapy: precise pressure on marma points to release pain and restore energy flow
The classical texts describe 107 marma points — junctions where muscle, vessel, ligament, bone and joint meet, and where prana concentrates. Marma chikitsa works these points with graded pressure, warm oil and sometimes gentle heat, releasing blocked flow along the channels. It is the quieter cousin of deep tissue work: less force, more precision, and often more lasting relief in long-standing pain.
How the session runs
Assessment of the affected region and the related marma · Warm oil applied · Circular and sustained pressure on each point, held for the count the point requires · Gentle mobilisation, then rest
Traditionally used for
- Chronic pain that returns after massage
- Frozen shoulder and stiff neck
- Headache and eye strain
- Low energy and poor sleep
- Post-injury stiffness once healing is complete
When this therapy should not be done
- Recent fracture or acute injury at the point
- Pregnancy — several marma are avoided entirely
- Bleeding disorders
- Fever or acute infection
Tell us about any of these at the consultation. We will suggest something else that suits you.
Marma points worked
Marma are the junctions where muscle, vessel, ligament, bone and joint meet — 107 of them in the classical texts. These are the ones this therapy uses.
- Adhipati (crown) — sleep and mental clarity
- Sthapani (between the eyebrows) — anxiety, sinus, concentration
- Shankha (temple) — headache, jaw tension
- Apanga (outer corner of the eye) — eye strain, migraine
- Krikatika (neck and skull junction) — cervical stiffness
- Amsa (shoulder) — frozen shoulder, arm heaviness
- Kurpara (elbow) and Manibandha (wrist) — arm pain, tennis elbow
- Nabhi (navel) — digestion and appetite
- Kati and Katikataruna (lower back) — lumbar pain, sciatica
- Janu (knee) — knee pain and stiffness
- Gulpha (ankle) and Kshipra (between the toes) — foot pain, circulation
- Talahridaya (centre of palms and soles) — grounding, sleep
Before you come
- Eat lightly two hours before
- Point out exactly where the pain sits
After the session
- Drink warm water
- Expect mild tenderness at the points for a day
- Avoid heavy lifting the same day