Thai Massage has been practised in Thailand for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Although the massage can be carried out on the whole body, Thai Foot massage is an art.
It is a mixture of many influences including Ayurveda, Reflexology, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Traditional Chinese massage and Yoga. These influences may have come through Thailand’s old trade connections with South East Asia, India, Japan etc and with the spread of Buddhism to the country. It is still being taught and used by Buddhist monks in the temples today. Thai massage is also practised and handed down between family and friends.
The massage is carried out on the feet, lower legs and hands. Oil can be used on these exposed areas which differs to a traditional full body Thai massage which is usually performed through clothes.
This is both an invigorating and relaxing treatment. As well as using some stretching, hands, knuckles, thumbs, and palms to massage the areas, I will also use a traditional Thai massage stick to apply pressure to energy points. Like reflexology these energy points are linked to the organs of the body and so it can feel like a full massage as the whole body is affected.
Treatment includes working on ‘Sen’ lines, which means channel or line in Thai, and are similar in theory to the meridians of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The techniques of Thai Hand and Foot Massage are thought to stimulate and open these energy channels, leaving you feeling relaxed, balanced and invigorated.
Some of the reflex points that will be worked during the massage are the Solar Plexus, the Adrenal and the Pituitary points.
The solar plexus is a clustered network of nerves that sits directly behind the stomach. It goes out to all parts of the abdominal cavity and has also been referred as the “abdominal brain”. The solar plexus is highly affected by stress so releasing this reflex point has been known to decrease stress levels as well as increase the body’s tolerance for stress.
Releasing the Adrenal points can again help to reduce stress and bring you back from the ‘fight or flight’ response by controlling the production of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline.
The Pituitary gland is also known as the master gland as it regularises all the other endocrine glands and harmonises any imbalances within the body. This reflex point will effectively relax and or energise the body based on what is needed at that moment. It helps to hold this point before bedtime as it will help to calm and relax the body, producing a better night’s sleep. Holding this point first thing in the morning will have the opposite effect of energising the body.
What to expect during a Thai Hand and Foot Massage?
The massage will be carried out on my table in a face up position. I will be working on your feet and lower legs so please wear suitable loose clothing that can be rolled up to above the knees. Initially I will move your hips through some stretches to open this area. I will then begin to massage your lower legs and feet to warm up the areas and clear any blockages by applying pressure to the Sen lines.
I will then introduce the massage stick to work the reflex points of the feet to help clear any energy blockages giving a whole-body experience. The massage will continue with more work on the feet and lower legs which will include some stretching and manipulations, for example ankle rotations. Once complete I will then move on to the hands and perform a similar routine of massage and reflex point stimulation with the massage stick.
Please note that this will be an invigorating as well as a relaxing massage. It is not meant to be a soothing or soft massage, it is intended to be firm, refreshing and revitalising. Each technique will start gently, and pressure will increase with repetitions of the technique.
Benefits of a Thai Hand and Foot Massage may include –
- Increased circulation to the hands, feet and lower legs.
- Stimulation of reflex points on the hands and feet which correspond to the internal organs of the body. This may help to promote general health and a sense of well-being.
- Increased lymphatic drainage from the hands, feet, and lower legs.
- Increase range of motion with stretching and manipulation.
- May help to balance and restore the healthy flow of energy in the body by working on Sen lines to clear blockages.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Thai Hand & Foot Massage should not be carried out at all under these conditions:
High temperature or fever, cold, flu, under influence of drugs or alcohol, infectious skin disorders, sunburn, hypersensitive or broken skin, acute inflammation or swelling, any swellings of calf or leg, ulceration or thrombosis of the lower leg, severe varicose veins, open sores, oozing, cracks, athlete’s foot, fractures, breaks, sprains, injuries to hip or knee or ankle or wrist (but see partial treatments section below), during the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Circumstances requiring a Doctors letter before treatment can commence:
Cancer (If you have Cancer then I particularly recommend Reiki or Resonant Frequency Therapy instead, which I can also do), Aids, HIV, Stitches, internal bleeding from accident or stomach ulcer etc, Diabetes (also see special allowances section below).
I can email you a letter (which you also need to sign before sending to your doctor) with a tear off slip at the bottom for them.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns over the suitability of having a Thai Hand and Foot massage. Please email me about your situation lisa@efvhealing.co.uk
Special allowance can be made for conditions which require extra gentleness:
1) Diabetes – to avoid bruising (you must have something small to eat prior to the session and test your blood sugar levels afterwards due to the massage simulating the effect of exercise.)
2) Epileptics must have taken their medication
3) Osteoporosis
4) Immobility – if you have been immobile we will work very gradually
5) Localized cuts – you will need to cover any small cuts with plaster before a treatment.
Partial Treatments
I can do only the foot and leg areas if you have any of the above issues with your wrists or hands and not with your feet and legs. Likewise, I can do just the hand part of the treatment for bedridden or elderly clients.
ANOTHER OPTION?
Reiki Healing or Resonant Frequency Therapy could be a very good alternative if you are unsure about the more physical nature of the Thai Hand and Foot Massage therapy, as healing is completely non-invasive. It combines very gentle touch (with your permission) and working without touching. It can also be done in a chair or even in your bed if necessary, and it does not matter what you wear.
Please click the link to see more details about Reiki Healing or Resonant Frequency Therapy.