Chavitti uzhichil or Chavutti thirumal is popularly known as foot massage or at times rope massage, based on the procedure used in this treatment. This procedure has gathered tremendous interest in the recent years owing to the extensive promotions of Chavitti Uzhichil as an exquisite form of treatment.  In my Ayurveda clinic in Chennai, many of my patients often ask me about this procedure and its origin. This rejuvenation treatment is centuries old, with quite an interesting history. Let me tell you the story of Chavitti Uzhichil, explaining the procedure, the benefits, and the points to be aware of.

History of Chavitti Uzhichil

Chavitti Uzhichil is a unique form of massage that originated from the esteemed traditional martial arts form of Kerala, Kalaripayattu. Kalaripayattu was a school of training for warriors, teaching them defense and offense techniques. This training aims at coordinating the warriors’ body and mind to build intense mental focus and physical strength. Physical treatments and marma chikista are crucial aspects of Kalaripayattu’s strict practice regimens and recovery protocols. Chavitti Uzhichil is one such procedure. It requires extensive expertise and experience since the process involves massaging the marma points of the body.

How do therapists perform Chavitti Uzhichil?

Chavitti Uzhichil is classified as a marma chikitsa, where the word marma refers to vital and sensitive parts of the body. Kalari records more than 300 marma points with some points being so sensitive that any injury to these spots can be fatal. Hence, when therapists without enough experience perform Chavitti Uzhichil, it can be quite dangerous.

The procedure involves manipulating the marma points deftly using controlled pressure, varying from gentle to intense. This improves blood flow across the body and rejuvenates its every tissue. It involves warming herbal, medicated oils gradually and applying them all across the body. But this massage has a critical difference. It involves applying foot pressure. Yes, the therapists massage the patients’ body with their feet instead of hands. This massage requires intense focus and expertise since every marma point of the body has specific and firm pressure requirements – some quite intense. So using the feet serves the purpose, with some small strokes and many long strokes. Of course, some strokes require the use of hands.

Ropes are hung from the treatment room’s ceiling so the therapist can balance on the rope while massaging the patient lying on the floor at a specific position that enables optimal energy flow.

Benefits of Chavitti Uzhichil

Chavitti Uzhichil is extremely relaxing, nourishing every tissue of the body, from bones to muscles. Enhancing circulation stimulates the body’s immunity and the body’s lymphatic system, rejuvenating the body and removing all the body toxins. This procedure relaxes the mind too, removing all stress and fatigue.

Ayurvedic physicians recommend this treatment for people in the field of sports since this is an extension of martial arts. It is also beneficial for back pain, spine-related complications, muscular pain, nerve-related disorders, and certain structural deformities. This procedure improves mental focus and physical fitness.

Chavitti Uzhichil – a powerful procedure that requires care

This procedure takes about an hour and a half and usually requires more than one sitting, extending anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks. The nature of the oil and the intensity of the treatment require the attention of an expert Ayurveda doctor. Since marma treatments are extremely sensitive, make sure that you connect with the right expert before you undergo the procedure.

So if you have any further questions about this procedure, do get in touch with me.