History of ancient Thai Massage

Ancient Thai massage has a long history of therapeutic healing in Thailand. It is a unique form of bodywork with origins dating back 2500 years. Its roots can be traced back to India. The founder of the practice was Shivaga Komarpaj, a doctor believed to be friend and contemporary to the Buddha. Thailand is situated along the great trade route between India and China and its history and culture, along with its medicine, has been affected by its location. As Buddhism spread out from India, healing medicine spread with it. Thai massage has been passed down as an oral tradition, with a unique style developing in each area of Thailand. Most of the ancient medical texts were destroyed along with the destruction of Ayutthaya in the 18th Century by the Burmese. As an attempt to preserve the tradition of Thai massage what remained was literally carved in stone and set into the walls at Wat Po temple in Bangkok. Wat Po remains a centre of ancient Thai massage teaching in Thailand today. Originally, the Thai people saw illness as an imbalance in the body, mind and spirit, and they would seek help at the local temple. They were treated by the monks with the three elements of traditional Thai medicine:

• Herbal medicines: These medicines are readily available over the counter at pharmacies in Thailand today, and many Thai herbs are included in regional cuisine with the intent of enhancing health as well as taste.
• Psycho-Spiritual healing:  This includes various types of visualization practices by the patient, as well as shamanistic rituals performed by the healer.
• Thai Massage: This formed the backbone of physical treatments.

Rather than just at the temples or perpetuated within families Thai massage is now practiced throughout Thailand, at massage schools, hospitals, in hotels, on the beaches, and seemingly around every street corner where there is an enterprising Thai! Some of these venues are not legitimate, and many therapists have received only minimal training. Yet other venues offer astounding treatments by masters of this healing art. There is much to be learned from traditional Thai massage practitioners within Thailand.