Thai Massage Therapy
The practice of this form of Oriental or Asian Massage
Therapy dates back some 2,500 years. Thai Massage Therapy
is a form of acupressure and other massage techniques. It is
firmly traditional in its practice, although there are some
modern variations. It has links to India and Jivaka Kumar
Bhaccha, a contemporary of Buddha. In Thailand, he became
Shivagi Komparja. Jivaka is the founder of Thai Massage. Yet,
there is also the impact of Chinese systems of medicine and
As a result of its heritage, Thai Massage Therapy combines
both Indian and Chinese systems. The system of energy
working, while closely resembling Chinese and Japanese
practices, also follows Indian beliefs. In particular, the
system of channels is more derivative of Indian concepts.
These are similar to Indian nadis more than Chinese
There are two basic types of Thai Massage. There is the
general type of massage to produce a sense of well-being.
There is also Thai Therapeutic Massage for alleviating the
various types of medical problems. The technique for both
types has the same philosophical basis and application.
Thai Massage Therapy involves an understanding of the
traditional composition of the body. In Chinese medical
beliefs, the body is of fire, water, earth, wind and water.
These components also feature in traditional Chinese
astrology. A person and their illnesses relate to these
elements. It also utilizes an Indian comprehension of the
Thai Massage also focuses on well-being through recognizing
and using the various invisible energy lines. There are some
72,000 energy lines. Ten of these are major. All verge at the
navel, the body’s energetic center. These sens or channels
need to be unblocked. It is the job of the practitioner to clear
them to allow the free flowing of the life force and the
balancing of the pathways within the body.
The methods or technique involve a series of massage and
body movements. The implementation of specific body
movements results it another name for Thai Massage
Therapy – Thai Yoga Massage. The massage techniques
involve acupressure. This means gentle pressure applied to
the arms, back, feet, hands and legs.
During the treatment, the masseuse does not rely solely on
his or her hands. Palms, thumbs, pads of the hands, fists and
interlaced fingers are used to achieve the goals. These
techniques all bear a name. There is Palm Pressure and Blood
Stopping. The latter requires Palm Pressure on both legs
simultaneously. This is a back and forth pressure that a
practitioner can also apply to the arms, placing both palms
on the armpits.
Other movements include squeezing, Palm Pressure and
thumb Pressure alone or with interlaced fingers. There may
be chopping, stroking, shaking, specific acupressure, twisting
and hitting. The practitioner may employ a spiral twist or
shampooing. Overall, there are some 18 different techniques
to learn. In addition to the Massage techniques, the
practitioner gently moves the body into various stretching
The overall aim of Thai Massage Therapy is improved health.
Benefits of treatment are improved flexibility and increased
energy levels. Clients hope for a relief from muscle tension
and an overall flow of energy within the body. A practitioner
learns to realign the skeleton. He or she hopes the client will
achieve balance from the alignment.
A client remains fully clothed during the treatment. He or she
must not have overeaten before going. A client must also not
be hungry. Requiring this also indicates a preference for
balance from the start. The client lies on the floor, usually on
a thick pad. The treatment continues for anywhere from 30
minutes to an hour. A client may require several treatments
to achieve the full benefits of Thai Massage Therapy or only
one. It depends upon the state of their energy level.
Thai Massage is an accepted practice among many medical
professionals in Thailand. It works in conjunction with
modern medical practices and more Chinese Medicine
practices in Thailand. It plays an integral part of medical
reatment in the Traditional Buntautuk Hospital in Chiang Mia,
Thailand. In North America, it is part of a system of
complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM).
There are several Foundations, Associations and regulatory
bodies associated with Thai Massage Therapy. These include
the foundation of Shivagi Komparja, the International Thai
Therapists Association and the Professional Association of
Thai Massage Instructors. Thailand has its official
government regulated school of Thai Massage, the Thai
Massage School of Thailand. There are also schools and
associations across the world who can offer information and
guidance on Thai Massage. You can access many online
through the Net.