The ban was initiated in 1923 when Western medicine replaced Traditional medicine as the official healthcare system in Thailand, rendering the traditional practices illegal. This prohibition persisted until the mid-80s when, under the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Thai government launched the "revival" project. The project aimed to reintegrate Traditional medicine into the public health care system. However, to achieve this, the traditional practices had to be standardized to align with Western academic standards, essentially resulting in the corruption of traditional medical practices. This "new" curriculum of Traditional Thai medicine excluded various aspects such as the traditional knowledge of anatomy and physiology, teacher-student relationships, divination, magical sciences, several physical therapies, and techniques that were challenging to learn or required extensive mastery.
In this process, Traditional medicine underwent significant alterations, giving birth to the "new" Traditional medicine, which is currently heavily promoted and regulated by the Thai Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. This confusion is why there is widespread misunderstanding about what Traditional Thai Medicine truly encompasses. In reality, two distinct and incompatible traditions are often referred to by the same name.
Thai massage, as a component of Thai medicine, shares a similar fate. A parallel can be drawn with popular Yoga, where ancient traditions underwent a similar process of corruption. Just as Yoga asanas were extracted from the broader body of authentic Yoga practice, resulting in a "new" Yoga that resembles fitness more than spiritual practice, the techniques of Thai massage were separated from the extensive body of Thai medicine. Thai massage, created in this manner, often appears more like a wellness service than a spiritual practice.
In Thailand, all schools of Thai massage primarily teach massage techniques. For years, Westerners believed that learning Thai massage equated to acquiring techniques, associating the breadth of techniques with therapeutic proficiency. However, there was a substantial gap in understanding the practice, acknowledged by those honest with themselves. This gap was either obscured by blending Thai massage techniques with other medical systems like Chinese medicine or Ayurveda or by emphasizing aesthetics with new age props such as candles, incense, Buddha heads, essential oils, and relaxing music. This led to the phenomenon of "style over substance" Thai massage, where the practice appeared impressive, but the knowledge gap remained evident.
The gap resulted from the removal of crucial elements during the creation of the "new" Thai medicine and Thai massage. Addressing this gap requires a deeper understanding of the human body, its composition, functioning, the impact of lifestyle and environment, causes of pain, diagnostic capabilities, and the suitability of specific therapies for given situations. While Thai teachers often rely on vague concepts like "intuition" or "feeling," the true answer lies in the medical knowledge of Traditional medicine in Thailand. Unfortunately, this knowledge is either unknown to many Thais or has a language and cultural barrier that prevents its transmission to non-Thais, leaving a considerable challenge for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of Thai massage.
The human body is too delicate for the frequent application of intense and potentially hazardous techniques, a characteristic for which Thai massage is renowned. Relying solely on "intuition" can be unreliable and unclear. While softer, gentler, and non-invasive techniques like effleurage might align with intuitive guidance, Thai massage is notably recognized for its vigorous stretches and forceful pressure techniques often delivered using elbows, knees, or feet. The inherent nature and structure of these techniques hint at the therapy's originally therapeutic intent. Going beyond safe limits, even by a small margin, can transform Thai massage into a form resembling martial arts, posing potential dangers that demand a careful and knowledgeable approach.
In summary, the foundational element for any physical therapy practice, irrespective of the specific technique applied, lies in the medical knowledge of Traditional medicine in Thailand. Echoing the sentiments of my teacher, it is crucial in the practice of Thai massage to adhere to the medical knowledge of Thai medicine. Whether performed on the floor, table, chair, in a moving train, on a roof, with or without oils, or with the client clothed, half-clothed, or naked—these external factors are inconsequential. The primary objective of Thai massage is to address and resolve the client's issue, and as a therapeutic practice, one must possess the knowledge of how to achieve this; everything else is secondary.
Nice article Danko. I hope that therapists realise themselves that Thai traditional massage is more than alternative fitness or a Buddist fairy tale. Understanding it is even difficult for a physical therapist. So when you do it as a therapy you have to study much more. Greeting!
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