Thai Massage Therapy

In 2023 , I traveled for the 1st time to Chiang Mai, Thailand with Living Metta to learn more about Thai Massage, which is a form of therapeutic touch that differs in many ways from traditional massage.  Thai massage is part of traditional Thai medicine.  Similar to Chinese medicine, it works with the body's energetic pathways, known as sen

I received my first certifications in Thai Foot Massage and Thai Herbal Hot Compress.  The work on the feet impressed me tremendously, and you can ask my clients how "on par" the meridian (sen) work is. 

Thai Massage is a fully clothed bodywork modality that combines assisted stretching, acupressure, and rhythmic compression to improve flexibility, release tension, and restore balance throughout the body. It involves dynamic movements that gently guide the recipient into yoga-like poses, making it especially beneficial for joint mobility and muscular tension. This therapeutic approach supports the body’s natural energy flow while promoting relaxation, alignment, and overall well-being.

The profound effects of this action–reaction approach piqued my interest, and I decided to pursue this wonderful healing modality further. I returned for a 2nd time to Chiang Mai at the end of 2024 for over eight weeks to complete a full series of courses and deepen my understanding. I learned so much and am grateful to now share this knowledge in support of my clients' healing and well-being.

TOK SEN

While in Chiang Mai, I heard a lot about Tok Sen.
Tok Sen massage is an ancient northern Thai practice that involves the use of a special wooden hammer and wedge, made from the bark of the tamarind tree, to relax muscles in a rhythmically tapping motion.  The word Tok Sen comes from the sounds made during the massage, with tok referring to the mallet's sound as it vibrates  the body and sen referring to the body's energy pathways, or sen lines.

The massage involves using wooden tools of different shapes to tap along the body's sen lines in a rhythmic motion. The taps are intended to penetrate the body, sending vibrations deep into the muscle tissue and creating a hypnotic melody that can lead to a meditative state. Tok Sen can help with physical pain and aches, and studies have shown that it can improve muscle thickness and reduce pain perception in people. While in Chiang Mai, I will also pursue a 4-day course with a Buddhist nun to become certified in Tok Sen.

The businesses surrounding my room were adjacent to a yoga studio. I'm not sure what will be moving in next, but I hope the future group on the other side of the wall enjoys the rhythmic sound of the hammer and wedge—just as my colleagues did when I received Tok Sen while they received their Thai massages.

I shared my journey on my Facebook page for all to see.  You can see all the pictures from the 2023/2024 travel under various albums.  The temples there are amazing !!!  

And I am still not done learning.  On my bucket list are:

• Thailand:   "pha khaw ma or pha khao ma:  " refers to traditional Thai practices utilizing a multipurpose cloth.
• Turkey: Turkish cupping therapy, also known as Hijama, is an ancient healing practice involving suction cups placed on the skin to draw blood to the surface, believed to promote healing.  No worries , it sounds worse than it is.  
• Japan:  Anma and/or Shiatsu , the use of fingers, thumbs, and palms to apply pressure to specific points (tsubo) along the body's meridians. It aims to unblock the flow of qi and restore balance within the body's energy pathways.  While I learned a lot of the pressure points at the Thai Medical Hospital, I just want to know more.
• Korea:  Golki Therapy: Originating in Korea in 1979, Golki combines lymphatic drainage massage with gentle and firm strokes and acupressure to achieve aesthetic benefits like a slimmer face and contoured body.