Thai massage was first developed in India more than 2,500 years ago by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, the Buddha’s personal physician. From India, this ancient therapy spread to Thailand. In Thailand, this ancient therapy became endemic to the point where it is now known as the Thai massage. Thai massage as an Eastern medical therapy is called “nuat phaen boran,” which means the ancient-manner massage. It is so named because this form of massage was initially introduced into ancient Thailand by the Ayruvedic healer Shavago Komarpaj several decades after its development.
From Thailand, Thai massage has spread across the world and has long been popular in Asias and European spas. In recent years, Thai massage has become a routine form of massage therapy in North and South American spas. Over the years, with influences from China and the Far East, Thai Massage has evolved into a form of therapy often referred to as assisted yoga. Similar to yoga, Thai massage involves moving the limbs into a series of fixed postures or stances.
Thai Massage Technique
In Thai massage, the client lies on his back on a futon or a heavily padded floor mat wearing light clothing. With long soothing strokes and carefully positioned movements, therapists apply pressure to energy lines and points along the body’s meridians. The therapist simultaneously performs passive movements that stretch the muscles and tendons of the hands, feet, knees and elbows. Similar to the Hawaiian loving kindness massage, the Thai massage can be accompanied by prayers and chants that facilitate a meditative state for both the client and the therapist. Thai massages can last anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Healing Benefits
Thai massage is more energizing and vigorous compared to other forms of massage. There is also more interaction between the therapist and client as the therapist instructs the client to move his limbs. While doing so, the therapist guides the limbs, hands, and feet into a series of yoga-like postures and stretches. For this reason, Thai massage is often referred to as a passive form of yoga.
Thai massage is reported to massage the inner organs, improve the blood circulation, which helps nurture the body’s inner organs, and relax stiff joints. Because Thai massage lays emphasis on deep muscle stretching and deep breathing, it invigorates the entire body.
Thai massage offers a wide range of benefits. Thai massage induces relaxation, reduces stress, increases energy and flexibility, and improves circulation as well as range of motion. In addition, Thai massage centers the body’s core, eliminates energy blockages, and focuses the mind.
Contraindications
Thai massage should not be used in people recovering from surgery or who have a tendency toward deep vein thrombosis without their physician’s approval. Like any form of massage, Thai massage is not recommended for clients with infectious skin diseases, rashes or open wounds. Women who are pregnant should check with their physicians before scheduling Thai massage and request therapists who are specially trained in pregnancy massage techniques.
Resources:
- Susan Salvo, Massage Therapy, Principles and Practice, Saunders, 2007.
- Thai Bodywork, accessed online January 10, 2009.
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