Ayurvedic massage Abhyangam

Ayurvedic massage is a key treatment in Ayurveda, combining warm herbalised oils with specific massage techniques. It eases aches, tension and stiffness, supports circulation, and relaxes the body and mind.
ayurvedic massage brisbane

What is Ayurvedic massage?

One of the most important treatment methods in Ayurveda is the application of herbalised oil to the body. In Kerala Ayurveda, this oil massage is known as Abhyangam. Warm herbalised oils are applied to the body with sweeping, flowing massage movements.

The herbal oil is carefully selected for your treatment needs. Choosing the correct herbal oil is essential to the effectiveness of a traditional Ayurvedic massage.

Depending on your condition, Ayurvedic massage can be for the full body (Sarvanga abhyangam) or for a specific area (Ekanga abhyangam).

If you have body aches, pain or stiffness, we may use specific massage techniques and kizhi treatment with Ayurvedic oils selected for pain and movement support.

ayurvedic massage kizhi

Ayurvedic massage for pain relief

Because we focus on Ayurveda for pain management, your Ayurvedic massage may include traditional pain relief techniques when needed.

Kizhi treatment

Kizhi is a targeted Ayurvedic poultice treatment. The herbs in these poultices are combined with heat, herbal oil and massage to promote deeper tissue relaxation and tension relief.

Ayurvedic oil for pain relief

We use a variety of Ayurvedic herbal oils to help ease pain and stiffness, and support comfort in areas that feel sore, inflamed or restricted.

These oils are traditionally used to strengthen and rejuvenate muscles, joints and soft tissue. They can be applied to painful or injured areas or used for massaging the whole body.

Experienced Kerala Ayurvedic practitioners

Our experienced practitioners and therapists provide Ayurvedic massage. They have long-term experience in traditional pain management therapies at Kerala Ayurvedic centres, hold Australian remedial massage qualifications, or both.

Recommended for

  • Tension, pain and stiffness
  • Discomfort in muscles, joints and tissues
  • Stress
  • Low energy or fatigue
  • Poor or restless sleep
  • Sluggish circulation

Benefits

  • Reduces pain, stiffness and tension
  • Supports muscle flexibility and joint mobility
  • Provides a revitalising and balancing effect for your body and mind
  • Helps stimulate circulation and lymphatic flow
  • Soothes the nervous system and supports the body’s natural balance
  • Nourishes the skin and deeper tissues of your body
  • Increases energy levels and removes fatigue
  • Supports relaxation and better rest
  • Helps pacify vata dosha and support dosha balance
ayurvedic massage oil

Ayurvedic massage with herbalised oils

Warm herbalised oil plays a major role in Ayurvedic massage. In Ayurveda, oil is used to soften, nourish and prepare the body for treatment.

The herbal oil is carefully selected according to your treatment needs. Choosing the correct oil is important in traditional Ayurvedic massage, especially when treating aches, pain, stiffness, or tension.

In Ayurvedic tradition, herbalised oils are believed to support comfort, balance and the body’s natural cleansing processes.

Ayurvedic massage with kizhi

Kizhi means poultice in Malayalam, the language of Kerala. In Sanskrit, it is known as Pinda Sweda.

A kizhi is densely packed with herbal ingredients, warmed in herbalised oil and massaged over the affected area or the whole body as required.

The targeted heat of the kizhi supports deeper absorption of the herbal oil while warming and softening tissues for deeper massage work. The kizhi ingredients, herbalised oils, and massage techniques are selected based on your body, symptoms, and treatment needs.

There are many types of kizhi, and each is named after the ingredients tied into the poultice. The type of kizhi used during your Ayurvedic massage is chosen according to what is most suitable for your treatment.

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Ela kizhi
Ela kizhi, also known as Patra pinda sweda, is prepared from fresh leaves of medicinal plants and other herbal ingredients. The kizhi is dipped into warm herbalised oil throughout the treatment and applied to the affected areas of the body.
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Naranga kizhi
Naranga kizhi, also known as Jambeera pinda sweda, is prepared with lime, herbal powders, and herbal oil. It is warmed in herbalised oil and applied to affected body areas.
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Podi kizhi
Podi kizhi, also known as Choorna pinda sweda, contains dried herbs pounded into a fine powder. It can be warmed in herbalised oil during the massage or used without oil when dry heat is needed.

Pricing

Ayurvedic massage

60 minutes – $125
90 minutes – $175

Ayurvedic massage with Master Biju Nair

75 minutes – $150

Contact us

To book an Ayurvedic massage or find out more

ayurvedic massage and shirodhara

Add-on treatments

Ayurvedic massage can be taken as a single treatment, part of a series, or combined with other Ayurvedic therapies.

Depending on the purpose of your Ayurvedic massage, other treatments may be added to this massage to enhance the effects:

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Shirodhara

Shirodhara involves a continuous, gentle flow of warm herbalised oil over the forehead from a hanging pot. It promotes deep relaxation to rest and calm the mind and body. Shirodhara can be especially beneficial after an oil massage, when the body is already relaxed.

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Herbal steam therapy

Herbal steam therapy uses warm steam generated from herbal decoctions to encourage perspiration. The warmth surrounds the body, helping relax the tissues, ease stiffness and support circulation.

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Nasyam

Nasyam involves the administration of herbal oils through the nasal passage. Nasyam is a powerful cleansing technique of the sinuses and the effects are increased after a massage.

Contact us

To book an Ayurvedic massage or find out more

More massage treatments

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Kalari marma massage is part of Kerala’s Kalaripayattu tradition. It combines targeted massage techniques, marma applications, kizhi and herbalised oils for pain, injuries and movement restrictions.
shiro abhyanga

Ayurvedic head massage

Ayurvedic head massage uses warm herbalised oil with focused techniques to the head, neck and shoulders. It eases local tension and promotes relaxation.
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Udvartanam

Udvartanam is a treatment in which a specially prepared herbal paste or herbal powder is massaged over the body. It supports sluggish circulation and leaves the body feeling lighter and more energised.
kalari ayurveda centre
Kalari Ayurveda Centre provides the ancient Indian healing arts of Ayurveda and Kalari chikitsa with experience, expertise, and an emphasis on tradition. We specialise in these treatments for your aches, pains, and injuries, and to enhance your overall health.
© 2013-2026 Kalari Ayurveda Centre and Australian School of Kalaripayattu  ABN 25 024 709 165.