Thai Foot Massage

Traditional Thai Medicine, known as TTM  

History and traditional methods 

Very little textbooks have survived the many invasions, wars and fire in the region of Thailand. From what is known so far, only after 1800s appear textbooks that depict the Thai Medicine. TTM incorporates elements of Buddhism doctrine about body and healing, Ayurveda as there are references to doshas and elements, Yoga or in Thai “luesii dat ton” and the Sen lines which are used in the massage, Chinese medicine and Indigenous Thai medicine. ​(marma-chikitsa-therapy, n.d.)​ 

From the indigenous Thai medicine have been incorporated Thai healing arts such as the walking on the back “yam kaeng”, bone setting (Thai chiropractic), tapping with a wooden mallet and others. ​(Medicine, n.d.)​ 

Thailand is a very religious country, therefore the Buddhist ethics are at the centre when it comes to Thai healing and spirituality. Shivago Komarapat is regarded as the progenitor of the Thai medical system.  ​(Medicine, n.d.)​ 

The Thai therapist will begin the massage with a prayer to Shivago. ​(Medicine, n.d.)​ 

Clinical trials have shown that Thai massage helps with the back pain, bone degeneration, decrease stress and psychological wellbeing. The massage intensity is in line with the flexibility and age of the person. The massage will rebalance the Sen lines. Often described as if someone is doing yoga poses on you and acupressure. 

Guidelines for the practitioner include the transfer or the imbalance in energy after the massage. Practitioner should shower, take a sauna, eat and drink water, self-massage or yoga and take a break for at least 30mins. Moreover, daily tai chi, qi Cong, yoga is beneficial for the practitioner to be energise and ready for the massage. 

Energetic wellness balancing principles influencing wellbeing and massage 

The four principles of Thai Massage 

Start working from the extremities (lateral) towards the core (medial) and then back to extremities. This way the stagnated energy from the Sen is cleared. ​(Salguero, 2007)​ 

Start from the lower point (feet) upwards to the head. First Sen work, then joint mobilisation and lastly stretches. ​(Medicine, n.d.)​ 

Give a balanced massage in a way that not a single part of the body is left untouched and the left and right, up and down are massaged. ​(Medicine, n.d.)​ 

Thai Massage Techniques  

 Palm press, palm circles, thumb press, fingers press, fingers circles, forearm roll, elbow press. More advanced techniques include knee press, foot press and heel press, Thai fist and Thai chop. ​(Salguero, 2007)​ 

Breathing is very important during the bodywork as it is said to detoxify the energy system by exhaling the stagnant energy and replenishing with the new energy. 

The duration of a Full body Thai massage can last 1h 30 minutes and can be increased to up to 3h. ​(Salguero, 2007)​ 

The elements and Aggregates 

As in the TCM, also in TTM there is the concept of elements, however there are only four elements, and they are wind, water, fire and earth. The four elements are interconnected and are present in all human beings from conception. Moreover, to see which is a person’s dominant element at birth one should check the date, the month and the time of birth and see the corresponding element. ​(Salguero, 2007)​ 

“This concept is referenced in the ancient Thai medical text, the "Phra Khamphi Pathom Chinda," which describes the formation of the human body within the mother's womb. It states that the body initially forms as a tiny entity, comparable in size to a sesame oil droplet on a yak hair. After being agitated seven times, the fire element first manifests, followed by the emergence of the other three elements—earth, water, and wind— completing the four essential elements (form = the body). This process is then followed by the development of sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness (mind = the mental faculties), collectively known as the "Five Aggregates." These components become fully developed around the fifth month of pregnancy, signifying the emergence of human life.” ​(Salguero, 2007)​ 

Tastes  

There are three main tastes: hot, cool, and mild; and nine medicinal tastes: astringent, sweet, mao baa, bitter, hot and spicy, oily, cool and fragrant, salty, and sour, as well as a bland taste. ​(Salguero, 2007)​ 

Sen lines 

 In Thai tradition there are 72.000 Sen lines but the most worked on are the main ten Sen lines. They are to be regarded as the meridians through which travels the life force, in Thai called Lom. Along the Sen lines there are important acupressure points. 

Sen Sumara is the main energy line, and it starts at the big toe along inside of the foot and up the middle of the back of the leg. Sen Ittha controls the left side of the body, meant to have feminine qualities. Sen Pingala mirrors Sen Ittha on the right side of the body and meant to have masculine qualities. Sen Kalathari allows the energy to travel from one side of the body to the other for harmony, it starts at the knee down the inside of the leg and under foot. Sen Sahatsarangsi only on the right leg from the knee to inside edge of tibia down under foot. Sen Thawari mirrors on the left side of the leg.