Forty ‘Ayurvedic Massage Therapists’ will be trained by the National Institute of Indigenous Medicine from next month in a move to put a stop to bogus ayurvedic massage centres carried out illegally, Ayurvedha Commissioner Ramani Gunawardhane told The Island yesterday.

She said that there were approximately 25 Ayurvedha Therapy Centres registered with the Department. The majority of them are in need of massage therapists. The three month course will cover theory and practicals.

At the end of the course the participants would be given a certificate which would be recognised locally and internationally.

Ayurvedha massages had clinical effects on the body. They help ease blocks, pains and maintain mental and physical health when administered correctly. And most of all the ayurveda massage therapy should be given under the clinical observation of an ayurvedhic doctor, Gunawardhane added.