Marmas

Marmas, in traditional Indian medicine, are described as vital points on the body where muscles, bones, vessels, nerves, and connective tissue converge. The term comes from Sanskrit and is often translated as “secret” or “hidden” points, reflecting their perceived importance to body and life force. In Ayurveda, marmas are considered sites where prana, the vital energy, can be influenced through touch, therapy, or injury.

Traditional texts typically enumerate a fixed number of marmas, with many authorities describing 107 points scattered across the body. These points are located near joints, along major vessels, at tendon junctions, and in areas where tissue layers meet. Marmas are described as highly sensitive to stimulation, and appropriate, controlled manipulation is believed to facilitate healing or balance, while improper handling can provoke pain or injury. They are often categorized by anatomical relationships and their depth beneath the skin.

In practice, marma therapy (or marma chikitsa) uses careful palpation and targeted massage, sometimes with herbal oils or external therapies, to influence the marmas with the aim of relieving pain, improving mobility, reducing stress, and supporting overall vitality. Some Ayurvedic diagnostic approaches also consider marmas in assessing vitality and dosha balance. Practical use emphasizes safety and individualized treatment, with attention to contraindications such as acute injury, fever, pregnancy, or severe illness.

Modern discourse places marmas within the broader context of traditional medicine and complementary therapies. While some practitioners draw parallels between marmas and acupuncture or acupressure points, there is no universal scientific consensus on direct equivalence. The evidence base for marma therapy remains limited, and it is typically taught as a traditional modality within Ayurvedic education.