Type of Thai Massage

The Thai Massage is classified into two main types, base on the way of life:


1. The People Type which has been developed by the people and spread all over the country. At present, the famous institutes for teaching and servicing are at Wat Pho, Wat Samphraya and many other associations for massage. The simple way to recognize this type of massage are the observations of:

1.1 The masseur postures, some are impolite.
1.2 The client positions: various, including prone position.
1.3 The manipulation : some are aggressive and harmful
such as : kneading by elbow, knee, heel and sole, stretching and twisting of neck, limb, shoulder, hip, and vertebral column.


2. The Court Type which has been developed by the courtiers, according to the successive was with the neighboring countries. In the ancient time the kings were the leaders of the troops. Trauma, dislocation, fracture, wound from the ancient different arts of fighting could be cured by herbs and massage. The massage must be also applied to the kings and their families. This type of massage is therefore recognized by:


2.1 The Masseur Postures : polite and very polite, some derived from boxing and some are dramatics.
2.2 The Client Position : no prone position.
2.3 The Manipulations : no aggressive and no harmful.
The masseur massage by hands only. At present, the famous institute for teaching and service is Ayuraved College.

Credit : http://exporter.thaitrade.com

Thai Massage

Nuat phaen boran is the Thai name for a type of body work native to Thailand (nuat=massage, phaen=manner, boran=ancient). It short for the longer form "Phaen Boran Ráksãa Thaang Nûat Thai". This may be loosely translated as "the traditional methods of hands-on healing of the Thai people". Thai massage is also known as northern-style Thai massage, Buntautuk style, Old Medicine Hospital Style, traditional Thai massage, Traditional Thai Medical Massage, Thai Yoga, Thai Yoga Massage, yoga massage, Thai classical massage, Thai bodywork, passive yoga, or assisted yoga.

Description

Although, Thai Ayurveda and traditional medicine originates in Tibet, China and in India, nuat phaen boran is primarily local to the northern Chiangmai area. Virtually every practitioner using this term is either trained in Chiangmai or trained with someone who was. The original and oldest running school for Nuat Boran is "The Old Medicine School" or Shivago Komarpai School and Buntautuk Hospital Massage Program. This program was a popular site for tourists learning massage in Chiangmai primarily beginning in the late 80's and 90's. The founder was the famous Grand Master of Traditional Thai Ayurvedic Medicine, Aachan Sintorn Chaichgun. Aacharn Sintorn presided over daily classes for over 30 years until his death in 2005. His family and elder sons Suthat and Wasson carry on to the present day. Aacharn Sintorn was a product of the Wat Po System in the 50's. The Old Medicine school was a pioneer in teaching non-Thais a short form and ten-day program called "Nuad Boran" which was easy for the non-Thai speakers to learn. The course was primarily technique with little acknowledgement to theory, as a result of the language difficulty. Unfortunately, many non-Thai obtained the mistaken impression that the 10-day program was the sum total of traditional Thai Medicine. However, the hands-on portion for traditional expert or doctor of massage is about two years full time. However, the basic form of Nuad Boran can be said to be representitive and a fair introduction to the hands on healing as a distinctive modality.
There are as many as 7 to 10 regional variations of Thai massage. Many of these traditions claim exclusivity and compete with the others for students and notoriety, although today the Royal Thai Gov't is seeking to establish parity and common standards between all of the various schools.
The receiver is put into yoga-like positions during the course of the massage. In the northern style there are a lot of stretching movements whereas the southern style emphasis is given to acupressure. It was believed that the massage art was brought over to Thailand by Jivaka Kumar Baccha, known in Thailand as Dr Shivago, a contemporary of Buddha some 2500 years ago.
The massage recipient changes into pajamas and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. (It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in the same large room.) The massage giver leans on the recipient's body using hands and forearms to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the receiver's body. The massage generally follows the Sen Energy lines on the body (the Sen are comparable to Chinese meridians). In some gestures, the legs and feet of the giver are used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other gestures, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. Usually no oil is applied, but sometimes a hot herbal compress is used to warm and sooth the receiver's body. A full course of Thai massage typically lasts two hours or more, and includes pulling fingers, toes, ears etc., cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, arching the recipient's back in a rolling action etc. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to the massage. Sometimes in a large group massage, the practitioners do the procedures in unison.
A full massage in Thailand of typically two hours costs around 300-500 Thai Baht (8.5-14 USD in 2007) depending on location (it may cost 5 times more in a five star hotel).

Credits : http://en.wikipedia.org

Massage

Massage is the treatment and practice of manipulation of the soft body tissues with physical, functional, i.e. mechanical, medical/therapeutic, and in some cases psychological purposes and goals. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading," possibly from Arabic massa "to touch, feel, handle" or from Latin massa "mass, dough". (In distinction the ancient Greek word for massage itself was anatripsis , and the Latin was frictio.)

Massage involves acting and manipulating the patient's body with pressure (structured, unstructured, stationary, and/or moving), tension, motion, or vibration done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, and/or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, forearm, and feet. There are over eighty different massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage was patient demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.

Peer-reviewed medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include pain relief, reduced trait anxiety and depression, and temporarily reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and state anxiety. Theories behind what massage might do include blocking pain signals to the brain (gate control theory), activating the parasympathetic nervous system which may stimulate the release of endorphins and serotonin, preventing fibrosis or scar tissue, increasing the flow of lymph, and improving sleep but such effects are yet to be supported by well designed clinical studies.

Massage can be performed by a professional Massage Practitioner, or by other health care professionals, such as Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Athletic trainers, and/or Physical Therapists. Massage therapists work in hospitals as allied health professioners, in nursing homes, sports and fitness facilities, spas, beauty salons, cruise ships, private offices, and travel to private residences or businesses. [5] Contraindications to massage include, deep vein thrombosis, bleeding disorders or taking blood thinners such as Warfarin, damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer, osteoporosis, or fractures, and fever.

In professional settings, massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting upright in a massage chair, or lying on a pad on the floor. Except for modalities such as Acupressure, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Thai Massage, or Barefoot Deep Tissue, the massage subject is generally unclothed or partially unclothed, also referred to as disrobed, and their body would be "draped" with towels or sheets.

History

Ancient and medieval times
Writings on massage have been found in many ancient civilizations such as Rome, Greece, Japan, China, Egypt, and India. Hippocrates wrote in 460 BC that "The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing." The ancient Chinese book called Huangdi Neijing by the Yellow Emperor recommended "massage of skin and flesh. The technique of massage abortion, involving the application of pressure to the pregnant abdomen, has been practiced in Southeast Asia for centuries. One of the bas reliefs decorating the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, dated circa 1150, depicts a demon performing such an abortion upon a woman who has been sent to the underworld. This is believed to be the oldest known visual representation of abortion. In Romania some illnesses were treated by a massage in which the patient was treaded on by a tame bear.

Modern times

United States: Massage started to become popular in the United States in the middle part of the 1800s and was introduced by two New York physicians based on Per Henrik Ling's techniques developed in Sweden. During the 1930s and 1940s massage's influence decreased because of recent medical advancement, while in the 1970s massage's influence grew once again with a notable rise among athletes. Massage was used up until the 1960s and 1970s by nurses to help ease patients’ pain and help them sleep. Because it is illegal to advertise or offer sexual services in most of the United States, such services are sometimes advertised as "massage".
Massage in sports, business and organizations: The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta was the first time that massage was offered as a core medical service. Massage has been employed by businesses and organizations such as the U.S. Department of Justice, Boeing and Reebok

Credits : http://en.wikipedia.org

The Thai Spa concept has ranked among the world's “Top 5” spa genres for almost a decade, and there is a highly positive “buzz” about the Thai Spa exp

Thai Spas have become world-renowned for truly capturing the spirit of revitalization and rejuvenation, which embodies the well-being enhancement objectives of all spas. A winning combination of natural herbs, traditional wisdoms and a ‘beauty with health’ focus has placed Thai Spas at center stage.

With the surge in demand for Thai Spa services in recent years, investors are actively seeking promising business opportunities. Many Thai Spa operators have entered the industry, playing a significant role in the 21st century spa boom; Thai Spas compete on equal footing with their international counterparts, and the demand for Thai Spa expertise and ‘Thai-Made’ spas continues to grow.

THE THAI SPA CONCEPT

For centuries, Thais have been developing and employing traditional practices to achieve good health. These folk wisdoms form the foundations of the Thai Spa concept, a viable business opportunity that offers unique and innovative spa experiences.
The Thai Spa concept revolves around three major areas of Thai Cultural Heritage – Traditional Massage, Herbal Remedies and Social Graces. The Thai Spa experience integrates a range of indigenous resources and traditions that have been handed down over the centuries. It captures the very essence of traditional Thai living.
Spa operators delve into the secrets of their ancestors to create exceptional spa services and products that attract spa guests with their exotic yet elegant flair. Gracious hospitality is delivered via the comforting and gentle nature of Thais, adding a distinctive touch. Buddhist influences infuse the Thai Spa experience with compassion and caring; these gestures are instinctive and genuine.

A FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

The Thai Spa formula goes beyond service excellence. Thai Spas embody a rich healing tradition based on herbal and holistic remedies, generations of folk wisdom and centuries-old healing techniques. Many of the healing and well-being therapies featured on the contemporary Thai Spa menu have been adopted and adapted from such practices.
Natural healing is based on the power of indigenous herbs and plants, which are used to restore balance and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. A variety of other healing techniques are employed, such as meditative practices, which reflect deep-rooted Buddhist influences. The act of performing traditional Thai Massage, for instance, is considered an act of compassion in which the healer (or therapist) practices the physical application of metta (loving kindness) and bestows a healing touch in the spirit of giving. The Thai Spa experience directly exposes guests to the best that Thai culture has to offer.

THE FUTURE OF THAI SPAS

Many analysts predict that hotel and golf industries will lead the future growth of the spa sector; many luxury resorts and courses will be adding spa facilities and offering in-house lines of spa services and products to keep pace with consumer expectations. International spa operators are looking to Thai Spa concepts as they launch or expand their ventures.
Recognizing the growth of overseas demand, the members of the Thai Spa Operators Association (TSOA) have begun implementing major initiatives involving spa HR development, designing and promoting various spa training courses with comprehensive curricula to produce qualified spa management and personnel to support the local and international spa industry.

INTEGRATING GOLF WITH THAI SPAS

Golf and spa go well together, and the complementary effect of these activities when housed under one roof is truly astounding. Today, consumers are more affluent and knowledgeable, which has brought about a better understanding of the importance of holistic approaches to attain healthier lifestyles. Individuals are seeking alternative ways to integrate health-related activities for more wholesome and complete experiences whenever possible.
Golf and spa were once considered the domains of the rich and famous. Yet, today these activities have become healthy lifestyle pursuits that are readily accepted and accessible to people from all walks of life. However, finding this combination under one roof is still rare. With the growing demand for more satisfying experiences for golfers and their families, these industries are naturally gravitating towards one another.
Currently, spouses who do not play golf often stay home during the weekend or are limited to the minimal activities offered at the clubhouse; clearly, these spouses will welcome spa activities to enhance their experiences. Adding spa venues to golf courses will offer a totally new dimension to golfers who appreciate a more complete experience. Furthermore, providing a spa outlet in conjunction with a golf course will make the facility a choice destination for the entire family.
From a golf course owner’s perspective, responding to changing lifestyles through repositioning and image building will increase customer loyalty and, most importantly, a properly managed spa translates to serious revenue. Considering the growing demands and expectations of consumers and the value-added advantages of spas, it is common business sense for golf courses to incorporate spas into their existing operations.

Credits : http://www.thaispaoperators.com/web/enghome.php

Spa Info

* Herb

Herbs is plants grown for any purpose other than food, wood or beauty. Such uses include culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual usage. The green, leafy part of the plant is typically used. Herb is basically makes skin very healthy. It is effective in preventing the pimples, freckles, blotches and making the skin resilient and reducing wrinkles.General usage differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs.

A medicinal herb may be a shrub or other woody plant, whereas a culinary herb is a non-woody plant. By contrast, spicesare the seeds, berries, bark, root,fruit, or other parts of the plant, even leaves in some cases; although any of these, as well as any edible fruits or vegetables, may be considered "herbs" in medicinal or spiritual use. Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that they are used in small amounts and provide flavor (similar to spices) rather than substance to food.

* Aromatherapy

Aromas are used to identify the oils, to determine adulteration, and to stir the memory, but not to directly bring about a cure or healing. It is the "essence" of the oil--its chemical properties--that gives it whatever therapeutic value the oil might have. Furthermore, vapors are used in some but not all cases of aromatherapy. In most cases, the oil is rubbed onto the skin or ingested in a tea or other liquid. Some aromatherapists even consider cooking with herbs a type of aromatherapy.


Aromatherapy is a term coined by French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé in the 1920's to describe the practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing. The term is a bit misleading, since the aromas of oils, whether natural or synthetic, are generally not themselves therapeutic.

* DeCleor

Founded over 20 years ago by a team of aromatherapy experts, DECLÉOR has acquired remarkable knowledge of the plant realm by applying modern research techniques to essential oils to create a new Art of Beauty. Generally perceived as empirical and poetic knowledge, aromatherapy has proved itself a science that uses the most active extracts of aromatic plants - essential oils - for skin care.


Today, DECLÉOR, a world-renowned French cosmetics brand recognised as the aroma-skincare specialist, is partnered by the Shiseido Group (the world's 4th-largest beauty group). This new alliance allows exchanges in and massive support for fundamental research, the key to every innovative cosmetic formula.


* Thai Body Massage

Thai massage is an ancient and unique system of bodywork therapy taught and practiced in Thailand for 2500 years. Thai Massage stems from Tui Na Chinese massage, Ayervedic Indian massage and Shiatsu Japanese massage. Thai massage fluidly and meditatively blends elements of gentle rocking, deep stretching, rhythmic compression, shiatsu, reflexology, yoga postures and breath work to create a singular healing experience. A natural therapy for flexibility, relaxation and energy balance.


The massage is slow and rhythmic, each posture or movement flows into the next. Thai massage is performed on a floor mat with the client wearing loose, comfortable clothing. The effect is uniquely relaxing as well as energizing. Receiving a Thai massage is a bit like doing yoga without putting forth any effort while also getting acupressure treatments!

How to get around Bangkok, Thailand

To start off it is good to understand what kind of transport you can get in Bangkok.

There are numerous different types of public transport, but the usual visitor or resident uses only 7 of these: Meter Taxis, Tuk Tuks, buses, canal boats, river taxis, motorbikes, and Taxis (with no meter).

Lets begin with Tuk Tuks. Aren't they cute, those little three wheeled taxis, colorfully painted and featured so much on anything to do with Thailand.

They are very cute until you get stuck in the traffic, behind the number 36 bus at about 2 in the afternoon and suck down a multitude of fumes in 10 minutes than the average smoker does in a life time... you'll say to the kids, isn't this fun....while your kids bury their heads in their Dad's armpit because it smells fresh compared to the air around them.

Okay Try a Tuku Tuk once, don't go too far and then give them up as a bad idea. Out of Bangkok they're much more fun. Tuk Tuk drivers should be haggled with, the price fixed in advance and generally you'll always get ripped off, take a taxi.

Taxis (with 4 wheels) come in two flavours, metered and no meter, although a few non meters actually have a meter concealed behind a panel in the dash board below the radio.... Taxis are great, sit back in air conditioned luxury and watch the Smiths die of carbon monoxide poisoning in a Tuk Tuk. If the driver of a Taxi objects to use his meter then tell him to take a hike, get out, do not be suckered.

Check where you are standing, if it's outside a nice big hotel , then walk up the road a bit and wave down a taxi. Unlike the US or Europe taxi drivers have to pass NO TESTS to become a taxi driver, within a few days of being inb Bangkok you will know Bangkok better than many Taxi drivers.... again if the driver seems to not know where it is you are going, get out....one other thing, make sure you know where you are going and have a rough idea of the route, else a less honest cabby will take you o a tour of the backroads "the short cuts". If you're going a long way, take the toll way, it costs between 20 and 40 Baht, (you pay) and will save you hours of travel time.

Calling a taxi by phone costs ab extra 20 Baht, Taxis at the airport cost an extra 50 Baht. And yes there is a REGULATED taxi stand at the airport outside the main meeting zone. Don't be suckered by taxi and limo touts.

Oh yes then there are the taxis with no meter.... well if you want to use one feel free....it'll cost about the same as a Tuk Tuk but at least you'll get Air Con....possibly.

Buses, once upon a time there were red buses, blue buses, green buses and Air Con buses, then came micro buses and then came deregulation and now there are so many buses that I really don't know what they all are...anyway if you are going to use a bus GET A BUS MAP. Then always use Air Con buses unless where you are going is not on one of their routes or your on such a tight budget that 8 to 15 Baht per person may cause you to have to go without food. Other buses vary from 3 Baht up to 20 Baht. Don't bother asking the conductor about where you want to get off, to them you are a lower lifeform (all passengers are) ask another passenger. A word about getting on and off buses. Do it FAST, buses on occasions don't stop at the bus stop they "slow" in the middle of the road and let off a stream of potential roadkill in the middle of the traffic, okay I exagerate a little but when you get your stop make sure you are already near the door and can sprint for it. Don't expect the people getting on to make way, that kind of common sense tends to fail people using the buses, their objective is to get on fast and get a seat before anyone else...which brings up seats.... don't be fooled into thinking that being a "gentleman" will get you thanks...oh no, you'll see pregnant ladies standing up while young school brats take up the seats, you'll see old ladies burdened by shopping standing while teen sweathearts hog the seats...it's a first come dog eat dog world on the buses and if you take one of the non air con buses you'll eventually see some poor person pass out....then they get a seat.

Motobikes. Yeah.... want to get somewhere fast, take a motorbike taxi, married with kids...get life insurance and a damn good helmet.

The majority of MB taxi drivers will make it their sole intent to scare you to death, to see if they can squeeze their bike through a gap that is obviously closing up faster than they are moving and to see how fast they can go on an open stretch of road...they have no fear (or sanity).... your life is in their hands and you'll soon wish it wasn't.

It is the law in Thailand that all bike riders MUST wear a crash helmet.... some of the helmets you see wouldn't project a toddler falling off a 3 wheeler.

Thai law says you have to wear a helmet, but as far as the law is concerned...it can be made out of paper.

if you intend to use MB Taxis a lot then get a helmet...I did, it saved my face when the inevitable eventually happened and I slide across the road after beeing side swipped by a pick up truck.

If you can avoid MB taxis, then do. If you are in Bangkok for long enough you may eventually get to learn which MB Taxi Teams (yes they work in teams) are safer than others (or luckier than others).

Check out the bikes they are driving, a scratched up wreck will be a good hint that the driver has kissed the tarmac a few times, a brand new bike , a green horn still waiting for his first brush with death.... if you're on a bike and the driver is driving like a nut, tell him to stop and get off.

I have to admit I have very little experience with boat transport in Bangkok, but from what I am told, if you can take a canal or river taxi, then do, they are fast, generally clean, less polution and of course there are less vehicles to hit. Prices vary depending on how far you are going.

In summary I would suggest that if you plan to travel in Bangkok that you :- get a map, take meter

About The Author
Jonathan Semenick maintains and manages the Thailand-X website at http://www.thailand-x.com

Day Spa in Bangkok

A day spa is a great place where you can take the time to go and pamper yourself. These establishments can be found all over the country and can offer many benefits to the user. Many of these places offer a wide variety of treatments and relief from the everyday stresses of life. They have a wide variety of things that are designed to make you feel special and pampered in getting you to that level of peace and happiness that you desire to make your body feel good and relieved. These day spas are located all over the place and some of them will have different themes and styles associated with them. Some of them will even be attached to a hotel or resort in order for you to fully appreciate all that they have to offer in an effort to give you a true feeling of relaxation and enjoyment.

Some of the benefits that are associated with a day spa are the various relaxation techniques that are implored. One of the primary methods that are used by many day spas is that of the massage. The spas will provide their own massage therapists which will in many cases be able to give you the massage that you desire in an effort to relieve the stress that you have brought with you to the spa. You can receive a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage or even a head massage to relieve some of your tension. Many spas will also have a sauna which will help you to flush away the impurities that you have in your system as well as providing you with the relief of the heat and relaxation that is provided by the sauna. There is also the whirlpool which may be available which will give you the effect of an underwater massage to make you feel better and less stressed. There are many other techniques and variables that may be available depending on the type of day spa that you are looking to go to and what the benefits of that day spa will bring to you.

There are many different types of spas that are available and able to be used and it is up to you to decide which is the most beneficial for your needs. Many of these spas can be found online for you to research and discover. Look into them see what they have to offer and provide so you can make a better informed decision to treat yourself or to provide a treatment for someone. There are many resources available to help you to determine the best spas out there and finding out how well they treat their guests. You just need to be willing to look and research so you are able to meet your goals and needs in stress relief and tension alleviation. Just be careful in what you choose and make sure it is what you want to do and a reliable establishment so as to be able to meet all of your needs.

Known traditionally as Krungthep, Bangkok to Thais is the city of angels. A zany mix of traditional east and modern west Bangkok is bustling city where temples coexist with skyscrapers and gardens with shopping malls. Even with overpowering heat, traffic and crowds Bangkok intoxicates with its sheer dynamism. Bangkok offers the best of international hotels, resorts, international cuisines, shopping centers, traditional and exotic massage parlors and of course the legendary night life.

Besides spa, going places through boat trips and cruises on the lively Chao Phraya River is a special treat.