Traditional Thai massage dates back at a long history of therapeutic healing. If one traces the evolution of the techniques of healing massage practised in Thailand, one discovers the astonishing fact that the earliest roots of Thai massage lie not in Thailand, but in India. The legendary founder of the healing system is believed to have been a doctor from northern India, known as Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha. He was a contemporary Buddhist and personal physician to the Magadha King Bimbisara over 2,500years ago. The teachings of Kumar Bhaccha probably reached what is now Thailand at the same time as Buddhism – as early as the 3rd or 2nd century B.C.
The theoretical foundation of Thai massage is based on the concept of energy lines running through the body called sen. The Indian origin and influence is obvious here since the background of this theory clearly lies in Yoga philosophy. Yoga philosophy states that life energy, called prana, is absorbed through the air we breathe and the food we eat. Along a network of energy lines, the Prana Nadis, the human being is then supplied with this vital energy. Out of these energy lines Thai massage has selected 10 main lines on which there are important acupressure points. Massaging these lines and points makes it possible to treat a whole range of diseases or to relieve pain. The 10 lines are sufficient to conduct practical treatment for the whole body and its internal organs. Disturbances in the flow of energy result in an insufficient supply of Prana, which will in turn lead to sickness. Working on the energy lines with massage can unblock stagnation, stimulate the free flow of prana, and help to restore general well-being.
Looking back at the tradition of Thai massage, it was never seen as merely a job. Massage was always considered to be a spiritual practice closely connected with the teachings of the Buddha. Until recently it was at the Buddhist temples, where massage was taught and practised. The establishment of healing massage facilities outside of the temples is a recent development.
The giving of massage was understood to be a physical application of Metta, the Pali and Thai word used in Theravada Buddhism to denote loving kindness,and devoted masseurs still work in such a spirit today. A truly good masseur performs his art in a meditative mood. He starts with a Puja, a meditative prayer, to fully centre himself on the work and on the healing he is about to perform. And he works with full awareness, mindfulness and concentration. There is a world of a difference between a massage performed in a meditative mood and a massage just done as a job. Only a masseur working in a meditative mood can develop an intuition for the energy flow in the body and for the energy lines.
Contrary to Western massage, traditional Thai massage does not primarily work with the physical body but rather with the energy. The kneading of muscles, which dominates in Western style massage, is not done from Thai massage. Energy points are pressed or general pressure is used instead. There is a lot of stretching involved and many exercises might well be described as 'applied Hatha Yoga' or 'applied physical Yoga'. Rather than using the term Thai massage, it wouldn't be a bad idea to actually call it Thai Yoga massage since that's what this art essentially is.
Increasingly, the native Thais seem to realise that for certain ailments like asthma, constipation or frozen shoulders and to help recovery after a heart attack or to regain mobility of the limbs after a stroke – to mention only a few – Thai massage treatment is far superior to conventional medicine and therapy.
So within one decade Thai massage has regained the credibility it rightly deserves and not only has Thai massage survived but is more established than ever.
