King King Rama III ordered the great restoration of Wat Pho that started in 1832 and as part of that effort, he asked scholars to examine and edit 8 subjects: history of the establishment of Wat Pho, Buddhism, medical recipe, literature, proverbs, list of mons, tradition, and health care. These subjects were placed as stone inscriptions in buildings of the monastery for people to study.
The stone inscriptions and mural paintings in Thai Massage Pavilion are over 200 years old, and some parts have gone damaged and missing. Today it has 1 mural depicting the 550 Jataka; a stone inscription and medical recipe for monthly categories of abscesses; a stone inscription and medical recipe for daily categories of smallpox; and a stone inscription of massage diagrams.
The stone inscriptions of Wat Pho’s massage diagrams until today are considered among Thai medicine community to represent the complete and comprehensive body of known work on Thai Massage. Therefore, UNESCO certified the inscriptions on the World International Register.
Nuad Thai (Traditional Thai Massage)
The history of massage has been passed down families within for hundreds of years. An early form of medicine, it was a way for families to help each other using hands, feet, and other parts of the body to treat different ailments.
Later equipment and accessories were developed with the aim to give more strength during the massage session or for self-use when there was no one to massage them.
Over time, the massage techniques spread from individual families into communities, and then into general practice.
Traditional Thai massage recognizes ten main energy lines, although these 10 lines branch into many other Sub-lines up to a total of 72,000 pathways. The ten main energy lines collectively are called Senprathansib. The ten main lines are 1. Ida; 2. Pingala; 3. Sushumna; 4. Kalahari; 5. Sahasrangsi; 6. Dwari; 7. Chandabhusang; 8. Rujam; 9. Sukuman; 10. Sikhini
When there is a blood congestion or ‘wind’ within the body, the four elements are out of balance. The massage treats the sickness caused by the wind inside the veins and makes the 4 elements go back to normal.
To achieve this, Thai massage techniques focus on acupressure, massage, body contortion, muscle stretching, hot-coal treatment, herbs used during rubbing, and massage to restore normal energy, relive flow, improve blood circulation.
Traditional thai massage is divided into two distinctive styles.
Ratchasamnak (Court massage) is the first, and that was for the rich folk. Like the king, who could not be touched, or if he was, it was done respectfully and gently. No pretzeling the king. Got it.
For the commoners, there is Chaloeysak (Independent massage). The massage methods, techniques and equipment used are adapted according to the individual experience. The massage involves several parts of the body, including hands, elbows, knees, feet, etc. and is said to focus on relaxation. Not sure how some of those are relaxing, but I repeat what I read.
Thai herbal medicines are commonly used for health care in massage of traditional Thai medicine, often in the form of a herbal compress often applied after the massage has been completed.
The heat of the herbal massage ball causes the herbal medicines is gradually absorbed into the skin and the muscles, helping to stretch the fascia tissue, alleviating pain, and reducing muscle contraction. The herbal medicines are wrapped in a cloth ball and pressed on various parts of the body to reduce joint congestion, muscle myositis and ligament swelling.
I did not experience that, although I did see a lot of ‘herbal balls’ for sale all over Thailand. I did not purchase any.
Herbs allow the therapy to reach an internal system balance, maintaining the 5 systems of the human body; circulatory system, musculoskeletal system, integumentary system, gastrointestinal system, and psychological system.
If you are interested, this is what the sign said about herbs and their purpose. I have no facts or proof to back any of it up, other than what the sign in the Thai Massage Pavilion said.
- Zingiber cassumunar – relieves aches and pains, reduces inflammation, and relieves recurrence
- Turmeric: Cures skin disease and reduces inflammation
- Kaffir Lime Peel – contains essential oils to relieve the dizziness
- Lemongrass – contains essential oils and relieve the dizziness
- Tamarind leaves – help clense the skin, relieve bruises, and reduce swelling
- Senegalia rugata leaves – cures skin diseases, nourish the skin and reduce the itching
- Salt – helps absorb heat and helps the drugs penetrate through the skin
- Camphor – cures colds, and nourish the heart
- Borneol- cures impetigo, and nourish the heart
- Balm – it is the medicine for external use to reduce pain, alleviate inflammation and relieve stiffness in the muscles and tendons by rubbing and massaging
- Herbal steam bath: It is used to treat and restore the health of patients who regularly take the herbal steam. It improves blood circulation, reduces, swelling, pain in the muscles, tendons and relieves body aches.
- Hot salt pot compression in postpartum women – The heat from the salt in the clay pot is transmitted to the bodyd. Suitable for women after giving birth helps the uterus to enter the cradle, expels saliva, tightens the abdominal muscles.
So, now I know more about Thai Massage than I did when I had a Thai massage. Not sure I will go back if the statues are representative of what they intend to do to my body, but I will admit, some of it felt like that was the intention.
If someone did manage to pretzel me, I could be buried in a smaller coffin, so I guess that is a plus.
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