What is Thai Massage?

Traditional Thai Massage – A combination of acupressure and yoga-like stretching techniques that employs the use of the therapist’s fingers, thumbs, elbows, arms and feet on the body’s muscles, pressure points and energy lines (“Sen”) to clear energy blockages and balance the body’s energy.

Thai Massage can be performed either on a massage table or upon a cushioned floor mat. Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing is worn by the client at all times, and no creams or oils are used.

Thai Massage Position

Benefits of Thai Massage:

  • Relieves muscle tension and soreness
  • Increases blood circulation, lowers blood pressure
  • Helps detoxification of the body and boosts immune system
  • Improves breathing
  • Reduces stress and relieves anxiety
  • Increases flexibility and range of motion
  • Improves posture, balance and corrects body alignments
  • Releases energy blockage and balances mind, body and spirit

History:

Traditional Thai Massage is sometimes called “Nuad Boran” which translates as “Ancient Massage”. It was founded by Dr. Jivaka Kumara Phaccha, who was a private doctor of the Buddha, over 2,500 years ago. It was introduced to Thailand at the same time as Buddhism – as early as the 3rd century B.C.

Father of Thai Medicine

In the past, Thai Massage techniques were passed down from generation to generation orally within families as most people could not read or write. The formal manuscripts were written in ancient Pali by the Buddhist monks. In 1767, many of the manuscripts were destroyed by the Burmese invaders.

Wat Pho

In 1832, King Rama III commanded his people to collect the remaining fragments of the original texts carved into stone as descriptive epigraphs at the Pra Chetupon Temple in Bangkok (popularly known as Wat Pho).

Concept:

The theoretical foundation of Thai massage is based on the concept of invisible energy lines running through the body called “Energy-Based Healing System”. The system consists of the following:

Energy Lines (Meridians/”Sen”)

  • A pattern of invisible pathways along which life energy travels throughout the body.
  • There are total of 72,000 life energy lines throughout the body, but there are only ten major lines which we call Sen Sib Theory.

Energy Points (Meridian Points)

  • The energy points are similar to Chinese acupressure points and located along the energy lines throughout the body.

Wind Gates (Chakras)

  • Acupressure points that are located on aorta; Pressing on these points will open up their corresponding meridains/Sen and allow energy to flow more freely.