A technique in which the therapist uses his or her body to move the massage recipient into a series of poses, includes muscle compression, joint mobilisation and acupressure.
Thai massage is a type of massage in Thai style that involves stretching and deep massage. This form of bodywork is usually performed on the floor, and the client wears comfortable clothes that allow for movement. No oils are used in Thai massage. It is known in Thailand as "nuat phaen boran", literally, the ancient-manner massage.
Practice
The massage recipient changes into loose, comfortable clothes and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in the same large room. The receiver is put into many yoga like positions during the course of the massage. The massage practitioner leans on the recipient's body using hands and usually straight forearms locked at the elbow to apply firm rhythmic pressure.
The massage generally follows the Sen lines on the body — somewhat analogous to meridians or Channel (Chinese medicine) and Indian nadis. Legs and feet of the giver can be used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other positions, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. A full Thai massage session typically lasts two hours or more, and includes rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body; this may include pulling fingers, toes, ears, cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, and arching the recipient's into bhujangasana or (cobra position). There is a standard procedure and rhythm to this massage.
Prevalence
In Thailand, Thai massage is one of the branches of Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), now recognised and regulated by the government, and is widely considered to be a medical discipline used for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments. On the other hand, Thai massage is also practiced and taught by a number of non-medical massage technicians in the spa and tourism industries.
In North America and Europe, an increasing number of practitioners and teachers of Thai massage have emerged since the 1990s. In Europe and the United States, Thai massage is a growing modality among clients of massage clinics and massage therapists seeking continuing education.
History
The founder of Thai massage and medicine is said to have been Shivago Komarpaj (Jīvaka Komarabhācca), who is said in the Pāli Buddhist Canon to have been the Buddha's physician over 2500 years ago. In fact, despite the history, Thai massage is more complex than this legend of a single founder would suggest.
Thai massage, like Traditional Thai Medicine more generally, is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine. The art as it is practiced today is likely to be the product of a 19th century synthesis of various healing traditions from all over the kingdom. Even today, there is considerable variation from region to region across Thailand, and no single routine or theoretical framework that is universally accepted among healers.
Who can benefit from Thai Massage?
- Athletes or anyone who participates in strenuous exercise eg, cycling, running, dancing, golfing, swimming, wrestling, working out, yoga practitioners or weight lifting. It helps to relax the muscles, increase flexibility and allow the body to recuperate.
- Pregnant women - the soft and gentle technique helps to reduce back and leg pains. It helps to relax the mother and her developing child.
- Professionals, eg educators, office workers, business people - the deep pressure points help to loosen your tense body, while reducing stress and increasing energy levels.
- Musicians and other artists - proper pressure applied along the energy lines helps to reduce pain and numbness in shoulders, arms, hands, fingers and muscles.
- Anyone who is on their feet all day and is involved in physical work such as construction workers, electricians, factory employees, plumbers - it helps to reduce back pain and relaxes the entire body.
- Travelers - if you drive or fly; it helps to reduce numb muscles and to increase blood circulation.
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