Benefits
-Reduces stress
-Assists relaxation
-Improves blood circulation
-Detoxification and strengthening of the immune system
-Improves circulation in the legs and feet
-Stimulates lymphatic drainage
-Boosts immune system & encourages physical healing
-Helps to increase oxygen in the body
-Reduces stiffness and improves flexibility
-Improves concentration and clarity of mind
-Back and other chronic pain
-Plantar fasciitis
-Allergies
-High blood pressure
-Sleep disorders
-Fibromyalgia
-Gout
-Migraine
-Arthritis
-Diabetes
-Kidney and digestive problems
What is Thai Foot massage?
Thai Foot massage works on similar principles as Reflexology covering the feet and the lower leg. It involves hands on massage and stretching techniques opening the ‘Sen’ energy lines, along with the use of a traditional Thai massage stick. Pressure is applied on specific reflex points on the feet to stimulate the internal organs, encouraging the body and mind to balance as well as activating the body’s natural healing mechanism. The circulation of both blood and lymphatic fluid will be improved and the immune system boosted as well as stimulating the elimination of toxins. This treatment is a wonderful stress reliever promoting deep relaxation.
History and Theory of Thai Foot Massage
Thai Foot Massage is an integral part of the Thai Culture and way of life. It is commonly practiced within the family and between friends for relaxation and health, as well as by traditional Thai doctors and healers.
Traditional Thai Massage credits an Indian Ayurvedic Doctor, known as Jivaka Kumarabhacca (c.500 BC), as the father or founder of Traditional Thai Medicine. Prayers are made in his honour prior to a massage and his spirit is invited to work through the practitioner and guide their treatment. This prayer, known in Thailand as Wai Kru (honouring the teacher), is spoken in Pali and Sanskrit, two ancient Indian languages.
Christine Issel in her book Reflexology: Art, Science and History, describes two streams of reflexology converging in the West during the Middle Ages, one from the East (India) and one from the West (Egypt).
There is a famous image from Egypt that is credited as being the first image of Reflexology on the walls of Ankhomor’s tomb dating back to 2330 BC, but as Christine Issel states “The art of reflexology was not only known in Egypt, but it was also known 5,000 years ago in ancient India.”
These two historical points of reference suggest that some form of foot massage me will have curd simultaneously in two distant cultures, suggesting that maybe foot massage, by whatever name, is an archetypal form of massage with more than one origin. it is however the Eastern or Indian foot massage from which Thai Foot Massage originated.
Within India, the feet, or pada, have always been add focus of worship. Prior to put Buddhism, Hinduism what is the main religion of India, which predates Buddhism by at least 1000 years. In Hindu tradition the contact of the feet with the earth enables the earth’s energy to flow throughout the body and mind.
Hinduism celebrates many gods. The three most important are Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. Vishnu the preserver is often depicted in Hindu art with Lakshmi massaging the feet of Vishnu. Lakshmi is Vishnu’s Shakti, or female counterpart, and represents positive female energy.
An 18th Century drawing of the Feet of Vishnu paces various symbols at specific points on the soles of the feet. there are some striking similarities in the placement of these symbols with some of the reflex points, although the meaning of the images is not clear. The points used by Padabhyanga are known as Marma points and although there are correlations between these Marma points and the reflex points of Thai Foot Massage the Marma points numbers far fewer than those used in type of massage.
The footprints (padamudra) I’ve got have also been treated as objects of worship in Hinduism, and several temples have been built around these footprints throughout Southeast Asia. The tradition of worshipping the feet and footprints continue into Buddhism for worshipping the Buddha’s footprint represents following the path of Buddha. These footprints are often depicted as having auspicious symbols on the soles of the feet, which represent the saintly life and teachings of Buddha.
These images of Buddha’s footprints are particularly popular in Thailand and are found wherever Buddhism spread, including China, Japan, and Korea.
China’s influence Thai Foot Massages is most evidence in the mass of the reflex points that are used. These Maps are very similar and correspond almost entirely to the same map used in China.
The term Thai foot massage is not completely accurate, as the massage is not only performed on the feet, but also on the lower leg. The conventional western view of the massage would explain it in physiological terms as the manipulation of soft tissue and the mobilization of joints; however, in the east it is considered as much more. Apart from just feeling fabulous the massage also aims to stimulate the internal organs of the body via the reflex points of the feet. Reflex points are specific points on the foot that corresponds to an internal organ. The massage also works along the energy (sen) lines of the feet and flow like to balance and harmonize the flow of energy around the body.
Sen Lines
Chinese medicine has meridians, Thai medicine has Sen Lines!
There said to be more than 72,000 energy lines running through our bodies. These Sen Lines cross over each other and form areas of strong energy, these 7 major concentration points are known as chakras. There are also less major junctions and these often corresponds with the points used in acupuncture, acupressure, trigger points and reflexology reflexes.
Energy balance in the leg Sen is essential for energy balance in the spine. Throughout their body work, Thai therapists place much emphasis on the lakes and fish, as energy flow through them can strongly affect the health of the upper body.
Sen lines are invisible channels that allow energy to flow throughout the body. This stimulation of the internal organs and the energy lines is intended to facilitate the body in remaining healthy.
There is no general agreement as to the exact course of Sen channels or even the precise number. Many experts considered there to be 3 on the inside and three on the outside of each leg and these correspond to the Chinese meridians. There are five on soles of the feet radiating to each toe.
The difference between Reflexology and Thai Foot Massage
Reflexology, which means “the study of the reflex points” emphasizes, as the name suggests, an examination of the reflex points, followed by a treatment which is tailored to stimulate specific internal organs depending on the result of the reflexologists examination.
Christine Issel in her book Reflexology: Art, Science and History makes the following distinction: “Reflexology should not be confused with foot massage” and goes on the say “Reflexology makes use of very precise reflex points”.
A reflexologist can assess the health of the internal organs and systems of the body, by studying their corresponding reflex point on the foot Connor under works to balance and improve the health of their clients by walking the reflex point of the foot.
Thai foot massage, on the other hand, emphasizes the massage and is intended to generally stimulate the reflex points of the feet, in order to stimulate the internal organs generally and encourage the free flow of energy throughout the body by thoroughly massage in both feet and lower legs Thai therapists rarely examined the reflex points during a massage, and perform their routine massage knowing that the techniques they employ promote general health and well-being.
In Thai Foot Massage, a multitude of massage techniques are used, and the working of the energy lines that defines type up massage and differentiates it from reflexology.
Thai Foot Massage is not always soft and soothing massage with superficial techniques, plus more a refreshing and revitalizing massage that is deeply relaxing. The therapist works to the beat of their heart or to the rate of their breathing with a depth of pressure to match.
This form of foot massage has been practiced for thousands of years and originated in India as part of the ayurvedic medical system. The version that we see today in Thailand has evolved with both Indian and Chinese influence, along with other Far Eastern medical practices. This sharing of knowledge and techniques has been brought about by the spread of Buddhism and the many trade routes throughout Southeast Asia.
