Traditional Thai Massage

Known in Thailand as นวดแผนโบราณ (Nuad phaen boran, IPA), which correctly translates only as ancient massage or traditional massage, this form of massage is also known as Thai ancient massage, traditional Thai massage, Thai physical massage, Thai yoga massage, yoga massage, Thai classical massage, Thai bodywork, passive yoga, or assisted yoga. It is usually soothing because of its emphasis on stretching and loosening the body. Its roots go back far into history, originating in India based on the Ayuravada, and then becoming popular in Thailand.

Originating in India and drawing from Ayuravada, it has inevitably incorporated modalities like yoga. The receiver is put into many yoga like positions during the course of the massage. In the northern style there are a lot of stretching movements unlike the southern style where pressure is emphasized. It was believed that the massage art was brought over to Thailand by a Dr Shivago K.,a contemporary of Buddha almost about 2500 years ago.

The massage recipient changes into pajamas and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. (It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in the same large room.) The massage giver leans on the recipient’s body using hands and forearms to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the taker’s body. The massage generally follows the SEN lines on the body-somewhat analogous to Chinese Meridians. In some gestures, legs and feet of the giver are used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other gestures, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. Usually no oil is applied. A full course of Thai massage typically lasts two hours or more, and includes pulling fingers, toes, ears etc., cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient’s back, arching the recipient’s back in a rolling action etc. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to the massage. Sometimes in a large group massage, the practitioners do the procedures in unison.

Reflexology

The current theory is that reflexology works on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands that correspond to all the body organs and system and that by applying pressure to those reflexes you can bring the body back into homeostasis or balance. Reflexology is the application of pressure stretch and movement to the feet and hand to effect corresponding parts of the body reflexologists view the feet and hands as a mirror image of the body. By applying technique a reflexologist can break up patterns of stress in other parts lf the body. Stress is a barrier to the body’s return to a normal state of equilibrium.

Reflexology is not new, it has its origins in ancient Egypt. China and India. There are drawing on the walls of a pyramid in Egypt showing people having their hands and feet worked. In the ancient texts of China and India, reference is made to working areas of the feet.

There are many theories but in our approach we look at the nervous system as the explanation of reflexology’s working. Pressure applied to the feet generates a signal through the peripheral nervous system. From there it central nervous system where it is processed in various parts of the brain. It is then relayed to the internal organs to allocate the necessary adjustments in fuel and oxygen, Finally a response is fashioned that is sent onto the motor system.

This message is feed forward to adjust the body’s tone or overall tension level. If applied properly the tone will reset itself to a lower operating tempo. A lower operating tempo means a lessening of stress and less wear and tear on the body’s systems.

In general terms the benefits of reflexology have to do with the reduction of stress. Because the feet and hands help set the tension level for the rest of the body they are an easy way to interrupt the stress signal and reset homeostasis, the body’s equilibrium.

Whether reflexology can benefit certain conditions and diseases in still under investigation. Further scientific study need to be done in order to come to some definite benefits of reflexology to regard to illness and disease.

Reflexology is a complement to standard medical care it should not be construed as medical advice. It should not be a replacement to medical help. Please use it wisely. We care about your safety.

Reflexology can be done practically anytime and anywhere. The trick is consistency. We have been impressed with the results from China there secret seems to be that they do reflexology once a day for six days in two week segments. Then they review the results and do more segments as necessary.

This requires self help and family help as well as guidance of practitioners. The practitioner can give you a quality signal to break up the pattern of stress but you and your family can provide the quantity to help break it up.

Build Reflexology into your life. It is easy to do reflexology well doing other activities. Put a foot roller under your desk or work your hands while waiting for the kids at school be creative but be consistent. Five minutes a day is worth more than an hour once in awhile.