Dalak According to unani medicine

1. Dalak/ Massage
Dr. Md. Shahab Uddin
BUMS, MPH
swasthonews@gmail.com

2. Dalak/ Massage
Dalak is a unani terminological word. Dalak means
massage. It is important part of regimental therapy.
The management of musculoskeletal disorders has
been taken as an important subject in modern time.
The speedy progress of musculoskeletal disorders has
compelled the Scientist to think about medical
management of these diseases. The changing life
style has aggravated the condition. The day by day
increasing number of patients of Rheumatoid
Arthritis, Gout, Osteoarthritis and others functional
musculoskeletal disorders can be better managed in
Unani Medicine.

3. Manual kneading or manipulating the soft tissues to
relieve pain, discomfort, stress and to promote
health and wellness is called as ‘Massage’. In
Unani System of Medicine “Massage” is a process to
transfer body faculties by movement and pressure to
maintain equilibrium at normal body physique and
tends to state of proper health.
Dalak is the method of treatment in Unani system of
Medicine. It is one of the oldest but popular methods
of Regimental Therapy. Massage has been used as a
remedial measure from centuries by eminent Unani
Physicians. Massaging causes various physiological
effects which comfort the body.

4. Aims and Objects:
• Massage is done to increase blood circulation
towards body organs. It is also used to liquefy
putrid matters deposited in the body parts by the
process of evacuation.
• It is also implies for the nutrition of the body
part.

5. Type of Massage Oils Used in Various Disease Condition:
Disease Raughan (oil) used Duration (min)
Faalij (Paralysis) Daarchini, Nardeen 20-25 min.
Joints Pain
(Arthralgia)
Surkh and
Malkanghni
10-15 min, 2 times
in a day
Gout Hanzal 5-10 min
Sciatica Hina and Aqar Qarha
30 min, 2-3 times in
a day

6. Type of Massage Oils Used in Various Disease Condition:
Kasrat-e-Shaham
(Obesity)
Qust 30 min
Sehar (Insomnia) Badam and Banafsha 15 min
Istirkha (Tremor) Sausan
20-25 min, Dalak
Istedaad-e-Zaeef
Loss of Muscular
Tonocity
Zaitoon 30 min
Kasrat-e-Shaham
(Obesity)
Qust 30 min

7. Besides above cited diseases, Dalak is also
useful in Nervine Disorders, Phlebitis, Local
inflammation, Hysteria, Melancholic, Fever,
Skin ulcer etc.

8. Indications:
• Dalak is useful in Nervine Disorders, Local inflammation, Hysteria and
Melancholic etc.
• It tones flabby and loose muscles.
• Maintains body posture.
• Reduces body pain due to injury, fatigue etc.
• Improves mobility of the body or part viz. frozen shoulder, sprain and arthralgia.
• To evacuate the putrefied humours.
• Enhances better blood circulation and nutrition.
• Prevent body from skin disease.
• Reduce excess body fats.
• Strengthens the Immune System.
• Enhances Post-Operative Rehabilitation
• Reduces stress.
• Opens skin pores.

9. Contraindications:
• Skeletal Disorder
• Disc Dislocation
• Inflammatory Conditions
• Metabolic disorders like Diabetes,
Hyperthyroidism and Hypotheyroidism etc.
• Fever (All kinds)
• Phlebitis
• Warm-e-Haad Mafasil
• Fragility of Arteries
• Skin wound and Ulcers

10. Methods of Massage:
• Massage should be given from peripheries to
Central (Centripetal) part of affected organ.
• Head and Neck massage should be performed
from upper side to lower side.

11. Posture During Massage:
• Good posture for massage makes the patient
comfortable.
• Hard and straight surface is required.
• Patient should be in supine position.
• Pillow may be kept below neck and knee Joint.
• When in prone position, pillow should be
under clavicle.

12. Instruction for Masseuse:
• Masseuse should wear soft cloth and Massage
room should be warm.
• Massagist should be wrapped in clean cloth.
• Massage oil should be warm.

13. Types of Massage and their Therapeutic Indications:
1) Dalak-e-Sulb (Powerful massage):
It is applied for the muscular
development and used with more
pressure/power during the course of
massage.
Therapeutic Indication: Flabby Muscular
Body, Debilitated and thin built people
and for alignment of body posture.

14. 2) Dalak-e-Iaiyyin (Soft massage):
• This type of massage is applied for relaxation of
muscular system. Smooth and Soothing massage
is done for achievement the beneficial effect.
Therapeutic Indication: Hard Muscular Structure,
Spasmodic Condition, Sprain, A tony and Rigidity
of muscles.
3) Dalak-e-Kaseer (Long duration massage):
It is done with full power and pressure for long
duration in obese person.
Therapeutic Indication: Obesity.

15. • 4) Dalak-e-Qaleel (Short duration massage)
It enhances the blood circulation and give a glow
to the part, also produce heat in the body.
Therapeutic Indication: Behaq-e-Abyaz (Pityriasis
alba), Tashaqqur-e-Jild (Psoriasis) and Jhaeen
(Chloasma) etc.
• 5) Dalak-e-Moatadil (Moderate massage):
Used for muscular development and applied with
moderate degree of power and pressure.
Therapeutic Indication: Thin built and flabby
person.

16. • 6) Dalak-e-Khashin (Rough massage):
This Massage is done with a rough cloth. It improves
the blood circulation and provides nutrition to the
part.
Therapeutic Indication: Hair fall, Jhaeen (Chloasma),
Behaq-eAbyaz (Ptyriasis alba) and Bars
(Leucoderma).
• 7) Dalak-e-Amlas (Smooth massage):
It is carried out by soft hands with smooth cloths like
silk to improve peripheral blood circulation and
provide nutrition to adjacent tissue.
Therapeutic Indication: Burger’s Disease,
Claudication of muscles, Fatigue, Painful and
Cyanotic Condition.

17. • 8) Dalak-e-Taweel (Long and gentle massage):
This type of massage is done for long period with
gentle hands during autumn or beginning of
winter season to maintain the body posture at
equilibrium.
Therapeutic Indication: Firm body, young person
and solid organs.
• 9) Dalak-e-Qaseer (short and gentle massage):
It is done for short period with gentle hands
during summer season.
Therapeutic Indication: convalescence stage,
children and elderly.

18. • 10) Dalak-e-Istedad (preparatory massage):
It is done as preparation of exercise with suitable
oil. It is two types:
a) Qawi: done vigorously for short period in
winter
b) Zaeef: done sluggishly in summer
• 11) Dalak-e-Istedad or Dalak-e-Musakkin
(soothing massage):
It is applied after the exercise to maintain the
body faculty which is lost during exercise with
suitable oil.

19. Therapeutic Indication: Rejuvenate body parts.
Timing of Application:
Massage should preferably do in morning and
evening hours.
Duration of Application:
• For non specific problems seven to ten sitting is
required. One sitting per day with one day gap
after three sitting.
• For specific problem treatment is to be
continuing till patient becomes relieved.

20. Precautions:
Before Massage:
• Have a cold shower or wash before a massage.
Do not soak in a hot bath, otherwise oils will
immediately ooze in to the skin.
• Don’t use deodorant or body part spray before
the treatment, as this will block the effect of
the oil.
• Avoid large meal just before the massage.
• Don’t drink alcohol before massage.
• Avoid massage in fever, flares etc.

21. After Massage:
• Drink a glass of water immediately after a
treatment.
• Lie still for at least five minutes before getting
up.
• Don’t shower for at least 12 hours after a
treatment to allow the oils to be absorbed by
the skin.

22. During Massage:
• Massage should be given according to temperament of
the patient and affected.
• Dalak is contraindicated on empty stomach and post
meals.
• Dalak should be done after normal sleep to relax the
muscular system.
• Massage is to be done at optimum room temperature.
• When back is massaged place a pillow under the knees
when supine, and under the pelvis when prone.
• Masseuse should wear loose and comfortable clothing.
• Avoid talking, play music or remain silent

23. Supportive Medicine:
Muqawwi-e-Assab (Nervine Tonics),
Musakkin-e-Azlaat wa Alam (Muscular
relaxant and Analgesic) and other type of oils
are required as per the need of the patients.