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Foot Reflexology Massage: A Healing Touch

ฺBy Ninnart

If only a gentle touch filled with love and care can make you feel relaxed, then imagine the ultimate effect that you will get from a professional massage.According to the book The Touch of Love, Thai Massage (written by Sombat Tapanya), massage is an art of healing originated some 5,000 years ago. It was mentioned in an ancient Chinese medical textbook in the reign of Emperor Wendi (179-157 B.C.) of the Han Dynasty and in an Indian Ayuraveda Book that "Massage is a self-healing method."

Hippocrates (460-380 B.C.), who received an honour as "the father of medical study", stated that "a physician needs to specialize in several things but being an expert in massage is a must.

"There are several kinds of massage and each has its unique benefits. However, this article will deal only with the area of foot reflexology massage. Click here to read the full story of "Thailand -- Paradise for Spa Lovers" (link เสร็จแล้ว)

History of Foot Massage

The foot reflexology massage's history dates back to the reign of Emperor Wendi but its most flourishing period was in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). Later, the foot reflexology massage was spread into Japan. Yet, there were some specialists in China who did not pass their knowledge to others or did not make any written records. This resulted in the degeneration of this art of healing. Fortunately, the foot reflexology massage was brought to the Western countries when more and more Westerners started to get in touch with the Chinese around the late Manchu Dynasty (1643-1912 A.D.).

Reflective zones of the feet

Then in 1913, Dr. William Fitzgerald, an American doctor, wrote an article about foot reflexology massage. He developed a systematized chart of longitudinal zones in the body. The 10 zones, ending in the fingers and toes, illustrated reflex areas with their corresponding connections, as well as physical conditions influenced by the connection. Fitzgerald discovered that pressure on one part of a zone could affect other parts of the body within that zone. That's how this ancient modality was restored in the Western countries. And it was V. M. Bechterev, a Russian physiologist who coined the term "reflexology".

Afterwards, Fitzgerald's zone theory was further studied by Dr. Shelly Riley who added horizontal zones across the hands and feet to determine individual reflexes. After that, Eunice Ingham, a physical therapist and associate of Riley, refined the zone therapy into therapeutic foot reflexology through full scale researches with hundreds of clients. She made an anatomical model in which the organs of the body were mapped out on the feet. Her findings, published in 1938, resulted in more precise identification of reflex points and gave us the framework of foot reflexology as it is known today.

History of Foot Massage in Thailand

A La Loubere's Chronicle, written in the reign of King Narai (1656-1689) mentioned the popular use of massage in ancient Siam: "In Siam, when one fell ill, his or her cousins would have him or her massaged." Furthermore, it was said that King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868-1910) was so fond of this method of rejuvenating that whenever he went out to visit his subjects in remote areas, at least one masseur was included in his entourage.

Different points of footre flexology massage

Thus, the art of massage has been practised and developed for centuries in this country. And Thai foot reflexology massage* has been enhanced by comparison with other varieties such as Chinese massage, Korean massage and Japanese massage to bring out the supreme benefits of this modality. Nowadays, Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School is the centre of massage services and study in Thailand.

*A description of Thai massage was carved on stone tablets which were fixed on pillars and along the corridor of the ordination hall of Wat Pho by Rama III's command. These stone inscriptions are still in good condition today.

The Practice of Foot Reflexology Massage

Not all foot massage is reflexology, even though some non-reflex varieties can be a very rejuvenating experience, and help boost the energy circulation.

The genuine reflexology is the application of pressure onto particular areas of the soles of the feet. A reflex action in another part of the body is stimulated by the manipulation of each specific area. Unlike other massages that use thumbs, palms, hands, elbow, knee and foot, foot reflexology massage uses hands, fingers and a wood stick with cream and oil.

According to Chinese medicine, the sensory nerves of the internal organs that spread throughout the body are mainly gathered around the soles of the feet.

Therefore, the massage is effective in stimulating the functions of the internal organs. Another advantage of this therapy is that there is no risk. Expert masseurs will deal with the critical points on the feet with utmost care. The pain felt there will disappear when the masseur finishes the process.

The Benefits of Foot Reflexology Massage

1. It can relieve pain and stiffness caused by too much exercising or using muscle for too long.
2. It can help prevent and cure many symptoms such as headache, stress, asthma, constipation, sinusitis and migraine.
3. The blood circulation system will be boosted.
4. The body's function will be naturally turned into its homeostasis.

Restrictions:

1. The massage must be done with accuracy to avoid wrong reflection which will cause muscle infection.
2. One should not receive a massage until at least one hour after a meal.
3. After receiving a massage, one is required to drink water to eliminate toxin and lactic acids developed during the massage process.Wood stick and cream usedin foot reflexology massage.
4. Pregnant women, menstruating women and people who are bleeding either internally and externally are not allowed to receive foot reflexology massage.
5. Both masseur and client are prohibited from washing hair, hands, feet or taking a bath within one hour of foot reflexology massage in order to prevent the body's elements from the effect of coldness.
6. Foot reflexology massage can be given every day but the total duration of both feet in a day should not exceed 45 minutes. However, only ten minutes is allowed for patients who used to suffer from heart attack.

Students paying utmost attention in class

Foreigners' Opinions on Thai Massage

As foot reflexology massage is a safe healing method full of benefits and is conveniently administered, the number of people interested in this field is increasing. The following are two foreigners' opinions on Thai massage:

Kerry Brooksbank, a 34 year-old English massage therapist told Thaiways that she took Thai massage course because she would like to apply the knowledge to her career. She added, "Thai massage is well known in England. It is stronger than other types of massage. But after completing the course, I will give a softer Thai massage to my clients as the English people prefer softer massage."

Jana Oldag practising foot massage

Jana Oldag, a 24 year-old German, unemployed, said that she heard the name of Thai massage for the first time from a friend of her father's. It interested her a lot. Ms. Oldag aimed to operate her own massage service in Germany but she needed a certificate to do so. That is why she enrolled in the Thai massage course.

As long as human beings are threatened by ailments and troubled by stress, the art of massage will certainly continue to exist and develop. If you would like to try massage, there are thousands of massage shops and spas around Bangkok and other tourist cities in Thailand offering services at reasonable fees. Three-to five-star-hotels in tourist cities usually provide their clients with spa and massage services.

• Note: Wat Pho, a tourist attraction famous for its Reclining Buddha, is located behind the Grand Palace on Sanamchai Road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok. See Map of Bangkok (A3).
• Special thanks to Khun Preeda Tangtrongchitr, Director of the Thai Traditional Massage School, Wat Pho, for giving Thaiways useful information and allowing us to take photographs.

For the correct pronunciation of romanized Thai words, see
Romanization System of the Thai Language. (link เสร็จแล้ว)

Traditional Thai Massage

By Jasmine

The efficacy of traditional Thai massage in relieving muscular pain and stiffness is being accepted by more and more people who have tried it. There is a place in Bangkok which has gained wide fame for teaching massage and providing massage service, i.e., the Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School located inside Wat Pho* or Wat Phra Chetuphon, also known to foreigners as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. In addition, traditional Thai massage can be obtained at several leading hotels and massage parlours.

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*Wat Pho, a tourist attraction famous for its Reclining Buddha, is located behind the Grand Palace on Sanamchai Road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, tel: 0 2221 2974 fax: 0 2225 4771. See map of Bangkok

Atlas of the body's essential massage points

Among the Thai people, Wat Pho is well known as the first university of Thailand. It was King Rama III (1824-1851) who ordered the renovation of the temple, and made the temple the centre of knowledge by having the temple walls covered with numerous stone tablets inscribed with writings about various branches of knowledge, so that the knowledge could be spread more widely and easily.

The king also ordered the attachment of pictures of traditional Thai massage showing various channels and points on the human body, and the placement of statues of Yoga postures and 317 marble slabs bearing 1,100 formulae of curative herbal medicines in the temple. As a result, Wat Pho became an appropriate place for providing knowledge on traditional Thai massage and a school for teaching this subject was opened over 40 years ago, being the first school of this kind in Thailand.

The building of the Thai Traditional Medical & Massage School.

Wat Pho's Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School offers courses on Thai Traditional Medicine and Practice, Thai Herbal Drugs and Thai Traditional Massage. While the first two are open to Thais only, the last is offered to both Thais and foreigners. Traditional massage began to gain interest from people only a few decade ago.

Stupas in the Monastery 

Recently, both Thais and foreigners have come in large numbers to learn massage or receive the massage service. The basic massage course takes 30 hours in which students will be taught a simple kind of massage for relieving fatigue, muscular cramp and nervous tension. Also the massage at this level is intended to make muscle and joints supple and to stimulate the blood and lymph circulation for physical fitness improvement.

A posture of the Thai version of yoga 

After completing this course, students can further their study by taking the therapeutic and healing massage course which teaches the Thai fundamental massaging techniques for healing muscle pain, muscle sprain, muscle weakness and nervous tension. Reasons for study of Thais and foreigners are not quite different; some want to give massage to their family members and others hope to use the skills to earn some extra money.

Receiving a massage can help boostthe body system. (Photo by courtesyof the Siam Heritage Hotel) 

The efficacy of Thai traditional massage is proved by the increasing numbers of people who have come to take the courses and to receive services. The massage service that the school provides has a threefold purpose; to stimulate blood circulation, to relieve tension and to make the patient feel comfortable.

But it is not for curing disease. To improve its result, massage can also be conducted with the use of a bag of heated Thai medicinal herbs. People of all ages are welcome to receive massage except pregnant women, menstruating women and those who underwent a surgical operation less than one year.

Clients receiving massages at Wat Pho 

A masseur or masseuse uses not only his or her hands, but also feet, knees and legs to give massage. How much force will be exerted on the patient's body depends on the strength of the patient's muscle.

Bags of heated Thai medicinal herbs will improve the effectiveness of the massage. 

One who regularly exercises will have stronger muscle, enabling him to endure a more forceful massage than the one with weak muscle. Interested persons do not need any preparations before receiving massage except wearing a dress that is loose and comfortable. The fees for service and study are inexpensive here and you are recommended to have a try.

For the correct pronunciation of romanized Thai words, see
Romanization System of the Thai Language. (link เสร็จแล้ว)