This document provides an overview of Dalak (massage) in Unani medicine. It discusses the history of massage, types of Dalak according to quality and combination, advantages of Dalak, oils used in Dalak, and contraindications. Massage has been practiced since ancient times in many cultures and traditions as a therapeutic treatment. The Unani system places emphasis on massage with aromatic oils to elicit physiological effects.

1. DALAK (MASSAGE) Faiyaz Ahmad Presenter Izharul Hasan* Co-presenter A. Saleem Assist. Prof. Mir Yousuf Ali Prof. & HoD Syed Arifuddin Principal Dept. Of Ilmul Advia Govt.Nizamia Tibbi College Hyderabad * National Institute Of Unani Medicine Bangalore [email_address] +919347484396 International Conference of Integrative Medicine & 1 st SAARC Conference on Unani Medicine Introduction Massage has been described under the heading of exercise, because it executes the same function as exercise i.e. it disintegrates the waste products, liquefies the viscid matter, produces energy and strengthens ligaments & tendons. (Pg.622 Kulliyat-e -nafeesi) Massage may be described as a scientific way of treating some form of disease, by internal manipulations applied in a variety of ways to the soft tissue of the body. (Goodall-Copestake, 1926) Any technique be it manual or mechanical which imparts mechanical energy to the soft tissue of body through the skin without prod using any change in the position of joint, in order to elicit certain physiological or psychological effect which can be utilized for therapeutic, restorative or a healthy individual. History Massage is the oldest and simplest form of medical care. Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine(2700 B.C.) recommends massage of skin and flesh, and exercises of hands and feet" as the treatment . It was one of the principal method of relieving pain for Greek and Roman physicians. Julius Caesar was said to have been given a daily massage to treat neuralgia. Hippocrates also instructed his fellows on the many benefits of rubbing. Doctors such as Ambroise Pare, a 16th-century physician to the French court, praised massage as a treatment for various ailments. In 19 th century Swedish massage, was based on techniques borrowed from China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. During World War I patients suffering from nerve injury or shell shock were treated with massage. Unani system of medicine , places great emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of massage with aromatic oils and spices. Types Of Dalak According to quality quantity According to combination 1. Dalak-e Sulab 1. Dalak-e Sulab kasheer (hard massage ) 2. Dalak-e Layyan 2. Dalak-e Sulab Qaleel ( Soft massage ) 3. Dalak-e Moatdil 3. Dalak-e Sulab Moatdil (Mderate massage) 4. Dalak-e Kasheer 4. Dalak-e Layyan kasheer (Abundant) 5. Dalak-e Qaleel 5. Dalak-e Layyan Qaleel (Scanty) 6. Dalak-e Layyan Moatadil Other Kinds of Dalak 1. Dalak-e Khashan (Rough) 2. Dalak-e Amlas (Soft) 3. Dalak-e Isterdad (Recuperative) 4. Dalak-e Istedad (Preparatory) Advantages of Dalak Mobility of soft tissues. Muscle spasm and pain. Enhancement of circulation. Mobilize secretions in the lungs. Reduction of oedema . Increase excretion of salts . Improve the general appearance of the skin. General and local relaxation. Increase the blood's oxygen capacity by 10- 15 %. It is beneficial in reducing symptom associated with arthritis. Deep-tissue massage is effective in treating back pain. Oils used in Dalak Roghan-e Amla Khas Roghan-e Azaraqi Roghan-e Babuna Roghan-e Banafsha Roghan-e Bayed- Anjeer Roghan-e Baiza-Murgh Roghan-e Badam shirin Roghan-e Mom Roghan-e Mastagi Roghan-e Aakh Roghan-e Kaddu Roghan-e Surkh Roghan-e Dhatura Contraindications of Dalak Skin disorders which would be irritated by either increase in warmth of the part or by the lubricants which might be used e.g. eczema, ulcer, inflammation. When superficial infections of skin are suppurating or in case of ulcer. In the presence of malignant tumor. In the presence of recent, unhealed scars or open wounds. Adjacent to recent fracture sites. Over joints or other tissue which are acutely inflamed, especially joints with tubercular infection. Osteoporosis, varicose veins. Congestive heart disease, kidney failure. Hyperpyrexia Ligament injury Conclusion Over the years, though massage faded in and out of our conventional medical system, it seems there has always been an awareness of its inherent healing and therapeutic value. During the 1960s, a wave of interest in natural healing once again revitalized the practice of massage and has continued to be a popular method of dealing with stress. Massage is now used in intensive care units, for children, elderly people, babies in incubators, and patients with cancer, AIDS, heart attacks, or strokes. A variety of massage techniques have also been incorporated into several other complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, reflexology, Rolfing, Heller work, and osteopathy. I think it is fair to say that our ancestors were on to something when they rubbed themselves well! References 1. Abul waleed Mohammed bin rushd, Kitabulkulliyat, 1 st edition, CCRUM, Delhi, 1900. 2.Mohammed Bin Zakaria Razi, Kitabul Murshid,Urdu development Board,1994. 3.Sadeeduddin Gazrooni, Kulliyat sadidi, 1 st edition, Munshi nawal kishore, Lucknow,1911. 4.Hamdard pharmacopeia 5.National formulary of Unani medicine 6.The Canon of medicine by Avicenna pg.305 Idara Kitabusshifa Dariyaganj May2007New Delhi Acknowledgement Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Director CRIUM Hyderabad Dr. Alokananda Chakraborty, Deputy Director CRIUM Hyderabad Mohammad Irfan, Quality Control Officer (Microbiologist) , Tidal Laboratory Pvt.ltd, Bilaspur, Himanchal Pradesh Ubaidullah , PhD Scholar, I.C.G.& B. New Delhi Mohammad Yunus Ansari, PhD Scholar, I.I.Sc. Bangalore S.A.Husainy R, MD Scholar, Govt.Nizamia Tibbi College, Hyderabad Affiliation Dr.N.T.R.University Of Health Sciences A.P. Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh