For many Swiss people, the term “Thai massage” has something disreputable about it and the obligatory joke with the “happy ending” always follows. The traditional Thai massage ("Nuad Thai") is an essential part of the Thai healing arts and science. Basically, it is about bringing the body and the energy lines of a treated person back into balance without medicine and only with manual therapy and thus ensuring healing and well-being. The basis for this was created in rural Thai society several centuries ago and was later adopted and refined by the Siamese royal court. Because of the contortions and intensive treatments carried out with the full physical effort of the massage specialists, the massage practice is also quite strenuous and a very special art form.
Since the end of 2019, this has also been recognized by Unesco, and Thai massage has been included on the list of intangible world cultural heritage. This is to guarantee the preservation of this healing art for future generations. It is also nice when this Unesco award helps Thai massage to gain real recognition and no longer to be confused with cheap “massages” in the backyards of Pattaya.
Thai massage
Traditional Thai massage, in other words Nuad Phaen Boran (Thai) means the traditional Thai method of healing with hands. Its roots go back to Ayurveda, yoga and Chinese medicine. Thai massage focuses primarily on elements of acupressure and stretching. The main purpose of this massage is to improve circulation and restore balance in the body. Thai massage can be used in specific diseases, but it is also an ideal form of relaxation, increase the body's resistance or improve the range of movement in the joints.
What is Thai massage?
The method, also called Thai yoga massage, is one of the traditional healing methods of the Thai medical system and has many parallels to Indian and Chinese medicine. Similar to acupressure, the Thai masseur uses thumbs, hands, feet, knees, or elbows to apply targeted pressure to energy lines and points. In addition, there is the so-called yoga massage, in which the body of the patient is stretched by certain, derived from the Hatha Yoga body positions.
Traditional Thai massage is a combination of reflexological massage, gentle and light stretching, work with energy, meditation and passive yoga.
Stimulates circulation and metabolism, can release tension, relax muscles and improve mobility. Thanks to the increased circulation of connective tissue and muscles, better mental and emotional well-being and increased vitality are achieved. It has a positive effect on improving and maintaining a balance between the mental and physical sphere of man.
Thai massage is often used to prevent disease and is therefore in line with the basic idea of traditional Chinese medicine.
It prevents, among others, the following diseases:
- sleep disturbance
- changing moods
- muscle tension
- night troubles
- apathy
- loss of appetite, indigestion
- head, neck and shoulder strains
- backache
What to care for in a Thai massage?
The patient behaves completely passive during the exercises, the stretching is brought about by the therapist. Full treatment usually takes one to two hours. The patient does not have to undress. The massage is done on a mat on the floor. Therapist and patient are at the same level, allowing the therapist to better use his body weight.
Patients with a variety of pain, back problems, arthritis, postural defects, neurological disorders, and stress-related disorders often seek help from a Thai masseur. The procedure is also suitable for health care.
