Thai Massage History
Thai Massage is a unique form of bodywork that incorporates Hatha Yoga, acupressure and reflexology. Also known as Traditional Thai Massage, it is a therapeutic technique, precise origins of which are not known. Assuming that the Thai Massage history dates back thousands of years, practitioners traditionally trace their lineage to Chivaka Komarapatr. A friend of Buddha, Komarapatr was a private doctor. It is believed that he was the first to have successfully used massage. He later stretched techniques along with herbal and other remedies to treat ailments and conditions. Chivaka used his techniques amongst the nuns and monks that were traveling with the Buddha. Besides spreading Buddhism, the nuns and monks of Buddha also contributed remarkably to spread these medicinal techniques all over Southeast Asia. But, as to where and when Ancient Massage originated precisely, it is difficult to find out for sure. A long time has passed, disappearing many historical evidences. Only fragments of the existing precious medical texts survived which were used as a basis for the famous epigraphs at Wat Po in Bangkok. The purpose of writing it down was to preserve the medical tradition for the longest possible time and make it available to the maximum number of people of future generations.
As most people could not read around that time, Thai Massage has been mainly an oral tradition, handed down from teacher to student. This was aimed at transferring the remaining data to the people of the next generation so that they could practice all techniques. Blending styles from Asian neighbors passed down through the generations, Thai massage is applied on a mat on the floor, while the work is done fully clothed. One can see these stone inscriptions sit within the walls of the Wat Pho temple in Bangkok. In the past, when people would gather together from different regions they would exchange their techniques of massage. This added new pain-relieving techniques to this art.
In Thai Massage, the therapists do not only use their hands to free tension from the recipient's body, but also involve their feet, forearms, knees, and elbows. But, you can be assured that northern style Thai massage is never painful. Unlike the scooping and continuous strokes of Western massage, the Thai Massage follows a method to use point pressure, muscle stretching and compression. Exercises are done in a rhythmic movement of gentle rocking. Thai Massage can move deeper into the mechanical functions of the body. It works with deep muscle tension and joint mobility as well as nerve, muscle and ligament balancing!
Thai Massage has a unique style in each area of Thailand though. In the region, a large number of people are associated with agriculture. After doing a lot of physical work through the day, their muscles become very tight and sore. To get rid of the tension in muscles, they have to teach their children massage skills they learned from their parents. Hence, Thai massage techniques are is passed down as an oral tradition this way. Ancient Medical texts were carved in stone in attempts to preserve the tradition and history of Thai massage. The Thai Massage evolved and developed especially when influences came from other countries such as China, India, Burma and Tibet.
