Thai Massage

It's the absence of oil and the addition of pyjamas that distinguishes Thai massage from all other massage therapies. Thai people claim that their skin is never dry enough, due to their country's hot climate, to need lubrication. They do, however, cover their bodies out of a sense of decorum in the face of some rather contorted positions! It is one of the ancient healing arts of traditional Thai medicine, the others being herbal medicine and spiritual meditation. It’s style developed during the period of King Rama II out of the stretching techniques of Indian Ayurveda and the traditional Chinese focus on the body's pressure points. As a result, experts claim that Thai massage works more deeply than the more surface-oriented Swedish technique. It has an ability to heal, relax and realign the body.

By pressing on the body's energy meridians as well as its veins and muscle tips, Thai massage releases the sluggish flow of blood and build-up of toxin that gather in tired or overworked muscles. In a sense, it invigorates and heals them with a physical workout. This is combined with a spectacular technique, which mindfully stretches the limbs into positions that the uninitiated could never believe possible. Close body contact allows the masseur to hold, for example, the ankle in two hands, easing it away from the hips while pressing deep with his foot into muscles in the inner thigh. Such postures stretch the tendons and ligaments while making the body more supple, realigning it and releasing tension.

If this sounds more acrobatic, than agreeable, be assured that good Thai masseurs, immersed in the `middle way' of Buddhism, take a calm, meditative (not just physical) approach to their work, sensing the energy patterns in a person's body. Skilled therapists always start by softly squeezing the limbs with the palm of their hands in order to warm up the body and listed to its needs.

Important Body Parts in Thai Massage

Feet

Masseurs always start with the feet as this is where the whole body weight rests. Awakening the reflex points prepares the rest of the body for the massage.

Scalp

While nothing penetrates beneath the skull, massage along the scalp lines increases blood flow to the head where much of the body's tension is stored.

Ears

Masseurs spend a lot of time stretching and pulling these reflexology sensors, releasing headaches and helping with balance.

Face

A gentle fingertip pressure, Thai style, will release tension to increase blood flow and prevent wrinkles, while excessive pummeling will create them.