Thai Massage is one of the world's oldest healing modalities and originates from the time of the Buddha over 2500 years ago. Introduced to Thailand by an Indian doctor, Nuad Phaen Boran as is it known in Thailand, correctly translates as Ancient Massage or Traditional Massage. Here it is more widely known as Thai Massage.

Thai Massage is considered an ancient art of body therapy for health, healing, and transformation.

The History of Thai Massage

Thai massage has been performed for centuries by monks in Southeast Asia as one element of indigenous Thai medicine.

As with much of traditional oriental medicine, illness is seen as an imbalance of the mind, body and spirit or chi.

Thai massage is based on the concept of invisible energy lines running through the body. These energy lines known as Prana Nadis supply us with vital energy.

Prana (life energy) is absorbed with the air we breathe and with the food we eat. Disturbances in the flow of energy result in an insufficient supply of Prana, which in turn lead to sickness.

Thai massage selects ten energy mainlines on which there are significantly important acupressure points. Working on these energy mainlines, Thai massage breaks the blockades, stimulates the free flow of Prana, and helps to restore general well-being.

Thai Massage How Does it Work?

Thai Massage focuses on interactive manipulation and uses two primary procedures.

These include the therapist applying gentle pressure with the hands and feet along the energy lines and a variety of passive stretching movements to manipulate your body into a series of postures.

These movements help to align the energies of the body.

Traditional Thai massage differs greatly from traditional massage where kneading of muscles and strokes of varying lengths and pressure are used to stimulate, calm or relax.

It works more with the energy body rather than with the physical body and is based on a gentle but vigorous pressure, the pressing of energy points and a lot of stretching.

What are the Benefits of Thai Massage?

Although Thai massage is considered more vigorous than traditional massage, the effect is uniquely energizing as well as relaxing.

Sometimes referred to as Thai yoga, because of the assisted stretching, Thai massage stimulates and energizes the body and releases tension and toxins from joints, muscles and connective tissue.

Thai massage has been used for many years to treat degenerative illness and promote wellness and can be beneficial for the young or old, healthy or not so healthy, the active or not so active.

The key benefits include:

stimulates internal organs
balances the body's energy system
adjusts the skeletal structure
relieves muscular and joint tension
increases flexibility

Thai Massage Is it Safe for Everyone?

Thai massage is relatively safe but is not appropriate for people with certain medical conditions such as serious back or knee injuries, or pregnant women.

If in doubt you should seek advice from your doctor.

What to expect from a Thai Massage?

Applied in a quiet meditative atmosphere, Thai massage creates space in the musculoskeletal structure, opening up the body and allowing it to regain flexibility and ease of movement.

When performed in Thailand, Thai massage is seen as a spiritual practice and in order to perform the massage in the meditative mood that is required, the session will start with a meditative prayer to fully center the masseur on his or her work.

It is believed that only a masseur working in a meditative mood can have intuition for the lines of energy flow in the body.

Traditionally, Thai massage is performed on a padded floor mat instead of a table or couch, no oil is used and you stay fully dressed, so loose comfortable clothing is advised.

Thai Massage Choosing a Therapist

To get the best from a traditional Thai massage, ensure you seek a therapist that is suitably qualified. Thai massage is a great way to improve overall wellbeing and is more popular than ever. Try a Thai massage for yourself and you will be glad you did.