Tools of Thai Massage

In my practice, I am grateful to my teachers for the wide range of tools and techniques available to me. As the practitioner who is familiar with the appropriate use of these tools in which situations, I don't have a menu for you to choose from. I will use tools as needed during your massage at no additional cost, with your consent.

Note: these descriptions are very simplified and intended as a quick overview, not as a detailed explanation. Please don't use them as any kind of reference.

• Steamed Herbal Compresses

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    I use compresses during almost any massage, to warm up the superficial layers before working deeper, and to help soothe tissues. There are numerous compress recipes. The main one that I always have on hand is a warming compress that also acts as an anti-inflammatory. For pre-natal massage there's a gentle fragrant recipe and for post-natal a drying formula. Other formulas include a joint formula and one for improving energy. I prepare the special formulas myself, so need to be informed in advance of your appointment so that I can have them ready.

• Balms and Liniments

  • Similar to the specialised compress formulas, I have an extensive collection of balms and liniments available. One of the best examples is the Trauma Liniment, the application of which is suitable for recent injuries like broken bones, sprains, or bruising. Another is the Healing Salve, for skin injuries like sunburn.

• Cupping

  • Sometimes the tension in the body doesn't respond as well to pressure as to removing pressure, and suction cups are used. This method often leaves marks which are sometimes confused with bruising or hickies. They are neither, but that's a topic for another post! I use 3 different cup sorts to release pressure in this way:

    • Glass and ceramic cups for fire cupping (heat in the cup is used to create suction)

    • Silicone cups (squeezing the cup before applying to the skin so that the expansion of the cup creates suction)

    • Tiny glass cups with silicone balls. These I use for narrower spaces, such as around the face or neck.

• Scraping

  • Many people are familiar with the Chinese version of scraping, Gua Sha, but actually many cultures use this method of releasing the tension in the fascial layer. A smooth tool is used to gently but repetitively scrape against the surface of the skin. Like cupping, this tends to leave marks. That is a subject for another future post!

• Foot reflexology (Thai-style)

  • Thai foot massage is actually based on Chinese acupuncture, but anyone who has been to a market in Thailand is familiar with scenes of chairs set up in a row. The main addition that Thai culture makes to this is the use of a wooden stick both to massage parts of the foot as well as applying acupressure to the Chinese reflexology points.

• Tok sen

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  Tok sen is uniquely northern Thai, originating in the medical tradition of the Lanna Kingdom. It uses a wooden mallet and chisel-like peg to tap along the sen lines. Simply put, "sen" means line and in Thai medicine refers to pathways of movement. Often confused with Chinese meridians, they are not the same. Another topic for a longer blog post!

• Scarves

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    I typically use a scarf (or loincloth) for enhancing neck mobility and stretching, but it has many other fascinating uses in massage. It can used for full body stretches, or partial stretches or suspensions.

• Chi Nei Tsang

  • As mentioned on my How I Work page, Chi Nei Tsang blends Chinese and Thai massage with breathwork and herbs. By working directly on the abdomen, we access the organs, stimulating the lymphatic and circulatory systems and helping the body function more efficiently. Again, this is a simple description and warrants a longer blog post.