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More and more tourists are returning from Thailand with lasting
impressions of a massage that is more like yoga. Performed through
your clothes, Thai Traditional Massage leaves you in a state of
sublime relaxation.
Its mechanics show a strong Indian Ayurvedic and yogic influence,
but a very disciplined emphasis on energy channels betrays a link
with Chinese Traditional Medicine.
Thai Traditional medicine has existed for over 1000 years, in pretty
much the same form that is used today. Its recent world-wide spread
has been quite phenomenal.
What happens?
You lie on a mat on the floor, fully clothed except for shoes and
socks. The practitioner uses thumbs, palms, forearms, elbows, feet
knees and even shins to press and stretch your body. Thais believe
that good health and freedom from pain result from the unhindered
flow of vital energies through the body's tissues.
The main 'channels' for distributing these energies are called
'Sen'. There is no general agreement as to the exact number of Sen
but those who know something of Chinese Medicine quickly recognise
that the Thai practitioner is effectively working along the Chinese
Qi meridians.
Pressing is the mechanical process used to stimulate energy flow
in the Sen, and to release blockages or stagnation which result
in pain. This part of the massage is very thorough.
Each Sen channel is pressed repeatedly from every direction, with
the relative positions of the limbs and trunk being constantly changed.
The process is very thorough. When the practitioner is satisfied
that all soft tissues have been adequately pressed, stretching begins.
This will be subtle at first but gradually progresses to the elegant,
large scale stretches for which Thai massage is renowned. Every
muscle and joint is treated.
What does it do?
Thais have long recognised that most musculo-skeletal pain and
lack of mobility of the joints is the result of muscles shortening
under the influence of repetitive strain.
The pressing techniques of Thai massage prepare muscles for stretching
by increasing their permeability to the flow of Sen energies. The
manipulations are designed to stretch the muscles a little more
than would be possible unaided.
Even advanced yoga cannot compete with the stretching capabilities
of Thai massage when applied by an expert.
Tension and spasm in a muscle are the result of a vicious circle
of events involving the muscle and its sense organs; those muscles
that are antagonistic to it and the brain.
The more tense the muscle the shorter it gets, and the brain interprets
this as contraction, so inhibiting the function of the antagonistic
muscles, which weaken as a result.
Regular Thai massage stretches the muscles back to their normal
resting length, which deceives the brain into 'thinking' that all
is well and it stops inhibiting the antagonists. Before long, tension
disappears and joint mobility is restored.
Muscles are the masseur's ultimate target but fibrotic connective
tissue and weak circulation are also treated during the massage.
How does it feel?
Different from other forms of bodywork - smoothness, rhythm and
flow are three words that come to mind.
Nothing is hurried; there are no sudden changes of rhythm or speed.
Every technique melts into the next with total economy of motion;
it looks like a beautifully choreographed performance.
First time recipients of the massage react differently; some find
the pressing techniques - particularly those done with the thumb
- a little uncomfortable; others are shocked at the degree of stretching
their stiff body can achieve.
Almost all feel relaxed, refreshed and much more flexible afterwards,
and those who have regular Thai massage come to enjoy the deep pressure
techniques and spectacular manipulations.
Origins of Thai Massage
And the effects …
There are many, all of them positive, provided of
course, that the massage is applied expertly.
Benefits of regular Thai massage include relief from constipation,
IBS, headaches, sciatica, back and neck pain.
For the Thais this is not surprising. They regard balance and unimpeded
flow of Sen as vital for good health. A good Thai massage achieves
this and can correct emotional problems as well as physical ones.
Who can have it?
There are some contra-indications to this kind of
massage - very much those that apply to massage in general. For
those in reasonably good health - regardless of age, lack of flexibility
and obesity - Thai massage is highly beneficial.
So much of feeling 'old' comes from what is often regarded as the
inevitable stiffening of joints with advancing years. Regular Thai
massage quickly proves that this is not so as it restores long lost
mobility to the joints.
Cost of treatment often depends on where you live. In the London
area expect to pay between £40 and £80 for a one-hour
massage. Elsewhere, prices are likely to be between £30 and
£45. An hour and a half is ideal.
How do I train?
Courses of widely varying content and length are available
in the UK. Some are recognised, most are not. Those who are seeking
training should check out the credentials of those offering Thai
massage courses before making a commitment.
Ideally, a course should offer practical training to an advanced
level together with anatomy and physiology that focuses very much
on musculo-skeletal mechanics.
Don't be deceived by the apparently effortless way in which a Thai
master performs large scale manipulations on someone twice his size!
It is physically demanding and requires proper training.
Anyone who attempts to perform Thai massage without expert training
risks injuring the recipient and oneself. The slight misplacement
of a foot or a centre of gravity that is not correctly positioned
can make the practitioner's back vulnerable to injury.
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