THAI MASSAGE – HISTORY AND APPLICATION
THAI MASSAGE & SPA have been in use for thousands of years. Unfortunately, THAI MASSAGE drifted into bad reputation during the past three decades due to the numerous small salons which have been popping up on every street, offering superficial massaging, and frequently ending with proposals to also take care of more intimate body parts against paying a negotiated tip. Since these salons are so numerous and ever present they certainly respond to silent, partial market demand. More sophisticated are the large “massage palaces” where massage has become “entertainment” and not “medical healthcare”.
We would like, however, to describe the traditional and centuries old WISDOM of relaxing and treating one’s body-soul-spirit with the help of knowledgeable pressure-methods, aromas and essences, herbal crèmes and natural products, tranquil and distressing environments.
History:
Traditional telling, which passed from generation to generation by word of mouth, dates the origins of the THAI MASSAGE back some 2’500 years to the life time of Buddha. It is told that these medical texts, mentioning detailed descriptions of various massage methods, were written in Pali language on palm leaves. With time such writings were sanctified as religious texts and were kept in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. In the year 1767, Burmese invaders demolished the ancient city and many of the historical texts were destroyed as well. In the year 1832, King Rama III preserved the remaining texts in instructing having these carved in stone as descriptive epigraphs in a temple in Bangkok, now widely known as Wat Pho. To current times there are 60 carved epigraphs existing, 30 showing the front of the body, the other 30 showing the back of the body. These pictures show the therapy points along the different energy-lines of the body, referred to as SEN in the Thai language. Thai massages lean on these SEN-Lines as basic knowledge.
The SEN Lines - Basic Principle of Thai Massage:
Thai massage refers to the invisible energy lines coursing through the human body, of which ten are very prominent and known in Thai as Sib Sen. When massaging along these points it is believed that diseases can be cured and pain can be relieved. It is believed that the body energy powers all the physical, mental and emotional processes of the human being and that it can only functions properly when energy supply is matched by its demand. Consequently, any form of imbalance in the body energy distribution causes pain and disease. When the system works well and the energy flows properly, a person is free from any pain and is therefore relaxed, happy and full of life.
Based on this approach, Thai massage focuses on the 10 energy lines by applying proper pressure along these lines to allow the energy flow. The pressing and stretching of the muscles makes the lines receptive to the energy flow.
The Benefits of Thai Massage:
Progressive aging normally makes one’s body stiff and less flexible. However, if a person feels physically, mentally and emotionally fit, the exact physical age does not manifest itself evidently. A young person can feel drained and exhausted in the same manner that an old person can be energetic and active. Thai massage is unique in its ability to make a person livid and energetic regardless of age.
Pain is a major contributor to one’s unhappiness and any level of pain is a sign of imbalance caused by too much or not enough of resources. The body, for example, will experience pain when it has too much food or too much exercise, while, in the same manner, it will feel pain if no food is eaten or no exercise is done. Emotionally, a person also feels pain when a desire is not met or if a person lacks the driving force to achieve anything.
Human-being's goal for health is regarded as the quest to achieve balance in every facet of one’s life. Rest and relaxation are wonderful ways to help calm the mind and body. This balancing process which we commonly call “healing” can be achieved in our daily lives through different means. Thai massage has been known to be one of them. The sublime rhythmical ritual of the Thai massage provides the body its need for movement and stretching while remaining in a relaxed state where it is very easy to let worries and desires melt away.
Administering Thai Massage:
The techniques in Thai massage are designed to rid the body of pain. Feet, palms, thumbs, elbows and knees are all used to apply deep pressure along the Sen. Other techniques which apply twists and stretches resemble a kind of applied yoga. In all techniques, however, Thai massage is usually administered in an unhurried manner. More importantly, all movements must be rhythmical, flowing, harmonious and smooth.
Anyone who has just begun to learn Thai massage must develop an empathy for other human bodies. Every body is different from another. In so doing, a Thai massage service should vary from person to person. A masseur has to learn how to feel each person receiving the massage differently from the other. Stretching routine for some may be pleasant but for others who are less flexible too much of it may be harmful. While one receiver may scream at a slightest thumb pressure, another might not feel the pressure at all. Thai massage in nature is “hard”, but it definitely should not be “torture”. In order to understand how a receiver is responding, the masseur should get a verbal confirmation on how the receiver is reacting towards the stretches and pressures applied on him.
Thai massage begins with the receiver lying on his back and proceeds to each side being worked. Next, the receiver is worked on prone position with his face downwards and finishes in the sitting position. This routine always starts with the feet, which are subjected to various pressures, stretches and flexes.
The Ideal Atmosphere for Thai Massage:
To give or receive Thai massage, one should engage a partner - the spouse, a friend, or any member of the family. Partners should be similar in weight as it is difficult for one to work on another who is heavier than oneself, especially when going through routines that involve lifting or standing on your partner.
The atmosphere where Thai massage is done is equally important. As Thai massage is an intimate and warm experience, it is ideal to conduct the exercise in a warm, well-ventilated room, with subdued lighting. Although some find soft music relaxing, allow no disturbance or excessive noise. Since Thai massage is usually administered on the floor, a soft but firm mat or mattress together with a thin pillow should be used. There should also be enough space for the masseur to move around as he/she goes through the whole routine with the receiver.
Preparing the Receiver for Thai Massage:
Comfort is an utmost consideration for the receiver of the Thai massage. As it is applied to a clothed body, it is ideal for the receiver's clothing be loose, thin, and be made of natural fabric. The receiver should also be barefoot.
Before performing Thai massage to a person for the first time, it is important that the receiver's medical history is checked to discuss any present health problems. The masseur himself must clear his mind of any extraneous thoughts before making any physical contact with the receiver, so as to be fully centred on the receiver's needs. The masseur should take slow breaths with controlled exhalation to relax oneself. Throughout the routine the receiver himself should breathe normally.
Duration of Thai Massage Treatment:
Thai massage can last from two to two-and-a-half hours to go through the whole routine. However, it does not necessarily mean that it is less effective if there is less time available to administer it. It is better to administer a proper Thai massage on some sections of the body than to go through the whole body in a hurried manner. Thai massage is essentially a relaxing exercise that is done with concentration and sensitivity.
Contra-indications of Thai Massage:
People with a serious heart condition, high blood pressure, or cancer should avoid Thai massage.
Thai massage is unsuitable for those who suffer from brittle bones (osteoporosis).
Never massage anyone who has an artificial joint, such as a hip or a knee replacement.
Do not massage affected areas of a person suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or shingles.
Never give stomach massage to pregnant women. After the third month of pregnancy, only light and easy exercises lying on the back, on the sides, and in a sitting position are allowed.
Varicose veins should not be deeply massaged.
When unsure about the condition of the receiver, it is better to avoid Thai massage until the receiver is seen by his doctor, who should determine whether a Thai massage is safe and beneficial or hazardous to perform.