In A.D.1985, the special task force named “Thai Massage Revival Project” was founded by twelve organizations of various fields namely alternative medicine, public health, Thai Massage associations, Thai traditional medicine organizations, health office, medical doctor foundation and temples known in therapeutic massage. The project started by setting up the first meeting aiming to revive Thai massage at the Thai Public Relation Department in Bangkok on 15 November 1985. This was the first time that the most respected Thai massage practitioners and teachers of the country met and discussed the techniques of Thai Massage. The result of the meeting was to pursue with the revival of Thai massage with everyone’s cooperation.

Objective of the project

1. To educate the public to utilize Thai massage for self-help and for people in the family to relieve ache and stress, to promote health, and to reduce the use of pain pills which has side effect to health.
   
   
2. To enhance the ability to perform, to preserve morale and to encourage the function of Thai massage practitioner and local Thai massage practitioner in sharing, exchanging knowledge and bond together to continue improving development of Thai massage to be acceptable both in society and in legal format.
   
   
3. To develop Thai massage education to reach professional level and meet the educational requirement with well format structure and the ability to integrate with modern medicine in order to help improve public health system of the country.

1. To provide safe hands-on skills in Thai massage
2. To implement better understanding of Thai massage
3. To preserve the original Thai massage
4. To maintain wellness of body, mind and spirit
5. To provide relaxation massage for health benefit
6. To promote international acceptance of Thai massage as an academic field

1. Follow standard of lines and massage positions set by the Thai Massage Revival Project during A.D. 1985-1987
2. Emphasize breathing technique for effective massage
3. Apply professional application according to nursing approach
4. Adding some positions and adapting movement for smoother transitions
5. Comply with the Thai Ministry of Education Department for implementation of curriculum.
6. In consultation and under continue training with the teaching of our monk teacher from his top disciple –our teacher was one of the great twelve teachers in the Thai Massage Revival Project
7. Continue research from old texts on the ancient path of Thai massage.

1. Common Thai Massage
   
   
   • The type of massage that most taught, especially to foreigners.
     
   • Use thumbs, fingers, hand, heel of hand, elbow, arm, knee, foot
     
   • Closer contact with receiver
     
   • Apply all five main positions
   
   
2. Royal Thai Massage
   
   Characteristics:
   
   • Giver does knee walking toward receiver from the distance of four feet away
     
   • Giver keeps distance of one foot away from the receiver’s body at all time
     
   • Receiver will not be in a face down position
     
   • Giver uses only hand, mostly thumb, sometimes heel of the hand
     
   • Giver keep the least contact with receiver, touch with massage hand(s) only
     
   • Start massage at knee and upward. Then massage leg and foot last
     
   • No stretching positions

Thai massage is safe when performed with adequate knowledge of the recipient’s physical condition. Physical disorders vary from one body system to another.  The effects on the recipient also depend on the massage position.

The practice section of this book (Thai Massage the Thai Way: In Theory and Practice) provides cautionary notes for particular positions and should be followed strictly. Here are some guidelines to consider conditions which necessitate refraining from administering Thai massage.  Proceed with caution should these symptoms be present.

1. Injury or inflammation of muscle
   Reduce the discomfort by applying a cold compress to the injured area if there is recurrence with a period of less than 24 hours, or to the inflamed area if it is red and feels warm when touched.  This area should not be massaged.
   Apply a hot compress or herbal ball to the area of the chronic injury to soften and reduce tension. Massage with caution.
   
   
2. Bone fracture or joint dislocation
   Perform first aid if possible on acute injury and refer to physician.
   Do not massage this area.
   With permission from the attending physician, during healing process, massage with caution.
   
   
3. Fever from any causes
   Do not give massage.
   If the body is aching as a result of muscle inflammation, massage will exacerbate the inflammation. It may also spread infection if inflammation is caused by bacteria.
   The masseur may, however, gently massage hands, face and head to relax and offer relief and support to recipient.
   
   
4. Varicose veins 
   Do not massage the varicose vein.
   The pressure of massage may dislodge any clots in the vein and cause obstruction to heart, lungs and/or brain. Massage on trouble site may further damage the vein.
   
   
5. Contagious skin diseases
   Do not massage the affected area.
   The disease may be spread to other parts of the body and infect the masseur.   Massaging non-affected skin areas is possible but infected areas should be avoided.
   
   
6. Drug and/or alcohol intoxication
   Do not massage.
   Massage may intensify the intoxicating agent’s effect and give rise to cause uncontrollable behavior by the intoxicated person.
   
   
7. Cancer
   Massage allowed with approval from attending physician; avoid the site of tumor and sensitive surrounding area. Reduce pressure to half of normal pressure.
   Do not apply pressure to lymph nodes and observe the contraindication positions indicated in the practice section of this book.
   
   
8. Ill health such as non-severe heart condition, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and chronic illness conditions.
   Apply special techniques with caution as indicated in the practice section of this book.
   
   
9. Pregnant and menstruating women
   Apply special techniques with caution as indicated in the practice section of this book.
   
   
10. When recipient is very hungry offer a light snack and tea before commencing massage. If the recipient is too full, avoid positions which may cause discomfort such as lying face down (prone) and refrain from abdominal massage.

Note:

• Do not exert pressure beyond recipient’s comfort tolerance.


• Giver must not play the role of “physician”.  


• Always refer recipient to seek appropriate medical advice when necessary.