What Thai Traditional Massage Is

Thai massage is over 2500 years old and was traditionally practiced to facilitate deeper meditation practices. The roots of Thai massage are traced back to the founder of the practice, Shivaga Komarpaj, a doctor, friend and contemporary to the Buddha. Ancient medical texts were carved in stone in attempts to preserve the tradition of Thai massage. Today you can see those tablets depicting the energy lines within the walls of the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. Thai traditional massage is a unique treatment, also referred to as the ‘dancing meditation’, whereby the receiver is encouraged into meditative flow through breathing deeply, rocking rhythmically and repeating massage patterns.

How Thai Traditional Massage Works

Thai traditional massage incorporates elements of Chinese zone therapy, reflexology, Ayurveda and yoga. Thai massage is based on the principle of ‘Qi’, the movement of vital energy through the body. The focus is on ten energy lines called ‘sen’. By working with these energy lines on the body, Thai massage increases our natural Qi, removing stagnations in the sen. Thai traditional massage deeply relaxes the client, allowing the nervous system to calm down and function more normally. Energy flows through the client, bringing the body, mind and spirit back into balance.

The Benefits of Thai Traditional Massage

• Deep relaxation
• Decreases stress
• Increases energy
• Increases range of movement in joints
• Assists posture and alignment
• Improves circulation
• Relieves pain
• Restores vitality
• Reconnects the energy of the body, mind and spirit

Total Contradictions to Thai Traditional Massage

• Fever
• Contagious or infectious disease
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Recent operations or acute injuries
• Skin Diseases
• During the first trimester of pregnancy

Medical Cautions to Thai Traditional Massage

The following conditions can only be treated with Thai traditional massage once it has been approved prior to a treatment in writing by your GP:
• Cardiovascular conditions such as thrombosis, hypertension, angina, those fitted with pace makers or with heart conditions
• Pregnancy
• Oedema
• Diabetes
• Psoriasis or eczema
• High blood pressure
• Osteoporosis
• Trapped nerves
• Receiving medical treatment or have a condition that might be affected by treatment, such as HIV infection, MS, epilepsy or cancer

What a Thai Traditional Massage Includes

For a Thai massage treatment it is best if the client wears loose fitting clothes so that the treatment can take place without the need to remove any clothing. Thai traditional massage takes place with the client lying down on a mattress on the floor. The holistic therapist applies pressure using the thumbs, fingertips, hands, feet, arms and legs. Compression using the therapist’s body weight is also applied to large areas of the body, such as the back and hips. Pressures combined with manipulations stretch the spine and pull on joints to leave the body feeling loose and relaxed, ultimately maintaining flexibility and relieving tension. The therapist works kneeling or sitting on the floor alongside the client, working from the feet up to the shoulders and neck, over the face and onto the scalp.

Prices

Full body massage
£33 (one hour and 30 minutes)