Thai Medicine

Cupping Therapy

29 April 2022
Eric Reinhold
Categories: History, ThaiMassage-NYC, News, Thai Medicine, Theory, Practice
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Cupping Therapy

In the context of Traditional Thai Massage

Cupping Therapy at ThaiMassage-NYC

The ancient practice of cupping therapy

   is found in traditional medicine systems on every continent worldwide. There are many different ways to employ the treatment, with the most common being Fire Cupping and Suction Cupping. Fire cupping uses glass cups applied to the skin using a flame placed momentarily inside the cup to create a vacuum as the heat dissipates. Some think of this method as a reverse massage. Instead of applying pressure, the fascia is drawn up into a vacuum created inside a cup over the targeted areas. The cups may stay in place for around 5-15 minutes and may or may not be painful or uncomfortable. If you would rather not have purple marks on your body, there are specific ways to use them that do not leave a mark that lasts for more than a day. 

  Depending on where they are placed, I have a love/hate feeling in relation to the cups, but the immediate relief that I get from pain in one of my knees is incomparable. 

  Used for a countless array of problems from illness to acute and chronic injury, cupping is a versatile and effective tool that can be therapeutic and diagnostic.

  This type of treatment is considered to be just one of the tools in the Thai Medicine basket and an art of healing that originated in the area that we now know as Thailand, but civilizations there date back to some of the earliest known in the world.

•What Can You Expect During a Thai Massage Session with Cupping Therapy?

In a typical Thai massage, also called the “lazy man’s yoga”, you will be dressed in flexible clothing to allow an unrestricted range of movement for the assisted stretching and poses similar to yoga which bring relaxation and a soothing effect on your joints and muscles. Your practitioner manipulates the tissues through your clothing, which obviates the need for a massage oil to lubricate the skin.

When cupping is necessary to achieve the desired effect for the client, the bare skin must be exposed for that, so we provide specialized clothing that you can wear during the treatment that will allow us to place the cups anywhere on the body without removing your clothes.

Unlike Western table massages, Thai massage isn’t just about lying passively, it involves movement and participation on your part to achieve joint and muscle pain relief. 

The Thai massage practitioner will be helping you by manipulating the lines within your body while the cups are in place. You may even perform a series of stretches, twists, and yogic poses after placing the cups arranged along the energy pathways of your body (referred to as Sen in Thai). Acupressure and compression techniques will be performed to help ease the blockages which correspond with the placement of the cups. The therapist will be using their hands, knees, legs feet and shoulders to stimulate certain pressure points. The silicone cups can be easily dragged along pathways. When the cups are used this way, they do not leave the purple circles on your body.

Some of the benefits of Cupping Therapy include:

  • Tension relief
  • Eliminates or reduces headaches
  • Back pain relief
  • Eases muscle and joint pains or stiffness
  • Increases flexibility, mobility, and range of motion
  • Stimulates blood circulation and your lymphatic drainage system
  • Energizes
  • Calms the nervous system
  • Makes you happy

•What Makes Thai Massage with Cupping Therapy Different?

Thai massage’s origins can be traced back to Thailand over 2,500 years ago. People who lived there before that were likely already using Cupping therapy.  It is based on the concept that blockages along the pathways by which your life forces flow are preventing the smooth flow of energy which leads to pain and discomfort. By employing Traditional Thai Medicine including massage stretching, joint manipulation, cupping, and other tools, these blockages can be removed and optimal energy flow can be restored to bring you closer to perfect health.

Below are some of the key differences between Thai massage with Cupping Therapy from other massage therapies:

•You will remain fully clothed.

Unlike classic Western massages, Thai massage Cupping Therapy is done while you’re fully clothed. We provide specialized clothing for you to wear during your treatment. Sessions involve placing the cups on your bare skin and then moving your body into different positions and making various stretching exercises while being guided by the Thai massage practitioner.

•The session is performed on the floor with a padded mat and not a massage table.

Swedish massage with Cupping Therapy and other massage techniques are done while you lie on a massage table fully or partially naked. However, with Thai massage Cupping Therapy, you will lie down on the floor and remain fully clothed throughout the duration of the treatment.

•Oil or lotion will be used.

Traditional Thai massage doesn’t really need oil or lotion on your skin for lubrication. The Thai massage cupping sessions do require a little bit to create the seal on the rim with your skin. So, don’t worry, you will not be slathered in oil when the session is over either.

•It involves yoga-like poses and the application of direct pressure.

In other table massage modalities where cupping is used, you will likely only be face up or face down and will just lie down passively on the massage table throughout the entire session. In a Thai massage cupping session, the practitioner will manipulate and guide you in making various yoga poses and stretches to reveal the tightness in your body and improve energy flow.

Also, the therapist will apply direct, rhythmic movements and hand techniques on specific pressure points to bring comfort.

•Does Thai Massage with Cupping Therapy Hurt?

The intensity of the massage will actually be adjusted according to your preferences. Just make sure to communicate with your Thai massage therapists so they can gauge the intensity exactly how you like it.

In fact, even if you have some physical limitations, are pregnant, or have some medical issues, your Thai massage Cupping session can be tailored according to your situation and needs. So if you’re not that flexible, the Thai massage therapist will only make you perform the stretches as far as your body will allow.

•Final Thoughts

Thai Massage Cupping Therapy involves a holistic approach and can help address specific problems naturally without any medications or surgery. 

By understanding what it’s like to get a Thai massage with Cupping, you will be able to prepare yourself and fully enjoy the experience. If you’re looking for the best Thai massage cupping therapist in New York, check out Thai Massage New York City. They offer various Thai massage techniques such as Traditional Thai massage, Four Hands, Herbal Compress, and Couples Thai. You may also book a home visit if you’re too busy.
Ready to explore your options and enjoy the health benefits of Thai massage? Get in touch with us today!

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Cupping Therapy at ThaiMassage-NYC
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How we do Thai Massage

3 August 2021
Eric Reinhold
Categories: Practice
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How we do Thai Massage

Learn how to position the receiver.

I initially learned how to position the receiver by studying teachers who had learned from their teachers all of the classic moves in a sequence. I continued to add to these whenever I was fortunate enough to visit a practitioner who used additional techniques that were new to me. The best learning experiences included techniques that helped resolve issues within myself, especially those of which I was not even aware I had until after they were erased by the bodywork. From there I studied Yoga, which helped me understand the connections between the positions and what they can address.
In many cases, specific positioning also exposes easier access to the structures that need therapy the most. Ease of access is critical when addressing deeper layers and levels. The more we struggle to get in, the more difficult it can be for the recipient to yield to it.

Learn how to position yourself.

I began to learn proper body mechanics kind of late in life, but better late than never. In massage school, the teachers always helped us see ways to improve our posture and ergonomics. In Thailand, one of the schools that I attended offered Tai Chi practice together every day before class. When I came back to New York I eventually found a Tai’ Chi teacher and studied it for 4 years. Once I began to take these lessons seriously and plug them into how I moved during a Thai Massage session, I noticed a more significant impact on the receiver while reducing the stress on myself.

If your work is difficult, this means that you are not seeing something about the first two considerations 

It takes minimal effort to have a profound effect if you are in proper contact with the person you are working with. Use your body weight rather than muscle power.  Wait for your intended development to take place. Pay attention to changes and react to what you find out.

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Buddhist Medicine

3 August 2021
Eric Reinhold
Categories: Thai Medicine, Theory
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Buddhist Medicine

Think of Traditional Thai medicine as a multi-national “Soup” with a robust animistic foundation.

The recipe draws from the regional practices of people who occupied the region we now know as Thailand before the migration of people from southern China who also contribute to the stew.  Another strong flavor in the “Soup” is the Indian medical knowledge coming through the area because it exists along popular trade routes between India and China. 

Massage and herbal healing remedies are likely as old as the human race.

After hunter-gatherers came home with aching limbs, their mates presumably tried to rub away muscles’ soreness and the stiffness in joints. While foraging abroad, people likely discovered that some plants had helpful qualities beyond satisfying their hunger. Over time, the knowledge was refined and passed down, first orally from generation to generation.

In the part of the world we now know as Thailand,

there is evidence that people existed earlier than almost anywhere in the world. According to the story, Samut Khoi, (Thai: สมุดไทย, [sā. mùt tʰāj]) were produced. These are a type of folding-book manuscript that were historically widely used in many Buddhist cultures, including Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, and in Myanmar, where they are known as parabaik. As trade and relations began to develop between villages, then city-states, and finally kingdoms, this knowledge was shared and adopted. 

Traditional Thai Medicine…

persist, all components must receive equal support and consideration. To master TTM, the concepts you should study are: 
The threefold division into the essences of a human being. Three essences: body, energy, and mind/heart. Each branch of Traditional Thai Medicine focuses on one of these while their goals and effects overlap. For example, herbs and diet not only heal the body, they also help purify the mind. Thai massage makes contact with the physical body, but the benefits extend into the mental and spiritual spheres.  
Chitta, or the mind/heart of a being, in the realm of Buddhist practice and native folk beliefs that have persisted despite the mainstream Buddhist religion.    Lom or Lifeforce. Pran in Thai and Prana in Sanskrit. Thai massage and yoga, whose movements are designed to optimize the flow of vital energies in the body, concern themselves with unblocking and maintaining the pathways.

Legend tells us that Thai medicine’s origin ultimately traces back to Shivagakomarpaj,

a historical figure who served as a physician to the Buddha’s Sangha (community of monks and nuns). Although he was a minor personality in the scriptures, Shivago holds a deified status in Thai Buddhism. He is lauded throughout the country as the Father Doctor, and statues of him appear alongside the Buddha’s on nearly every healing practitioner’s altar everywhere you go.  At the Grand Palace entrance, we see a figure of the divine physician overlooking the area. Also referred to as Shivago, the guardian spirit Traditional Thai Medicine practitioners pay homage to was an Ayurvedic practitioner who treated the Buddha and is considered the father of Thai traditional medicine.  

Respect for the teacher.

masters who have kept the tradition alive. The devotee makes offerings (usually incense) and recites the mantra at an altar, taking care never to turn his or her back on it after the ceremony. The wai khru which opens with the words Om Namo Shivago, is performed in schools and massage facilities throughout the land.

Ruesri Dat Ton

Unknown to many, Thailand has its own version of yoga-like stretches known as ruesri dat ton or ” hermit’s self-stretching.” These exercises are similar to Hatha Yoga, and a link between the two is obvious.  A number of schools in the country still teach this little-known gem of Traditional Thai Medicine even though many locals themselves are unfamiliar with it.  A master of Thai Yoga called a ruesri or rishi was traditionally the same as an ascetic, hermit, seer, etc. who practiced meditation and developed the powers on the path to spiritual realization. The ruesri are depicted as a hermit wearing a tiger’s skin, symbolic of his accomplishments and mastery. Some have suggested that Thai massage originated in individual yoga practices such as Ruesri Dat Ton and Hatha Yoga. Many Thai massage positions do resemble yoga poses.  

 

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Thai Massage Description

3 December 2020
Eric Reinhold
Categories: ThaiMassage-NYC, Practice
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Thai Massage Description
Thai massage looks like a cross between acupressure, yoga, and mat-based massage and is inspired by Buddhist teachings,


namely Mettā the act of loving kindness.

The actual massage consists of a collection of techniques including slow, rhythmic compressions and stretches along the body’s energy lines, also called Sen in Thai. If you want to see a multitude of examples of what the work I do looks like, visit my Instagram profile by clicking the icon at the top of this page.

Over 70,000 Sen are said to exist within the body,

and Thai massage concentrates on applying pressure along the most important Sen using the palms of the hands, thumbs, elbows, feet, knees, hips, and other implements.

A Thai massage is typically performed on a floor mat enabling practitioners the ability to use their body weight and to incorporate the many movements that would not be possible on a massage table. A table may be used but it is not optimal unless the client has specific limitations. Normally, the client remains fully clothed, and lubricant for the skin is rarely used. A Thai massage usually lasts one to two hours, but maybe three hours or more if needed.

The effort from the practitioner works to free tension within the body

and clear blockage along the lines by which the life forces flow. Practitioners also position the body into yoga-like poses and gently rock the body to more deeply open joints and facilitate further limbering. Joint mobilization is achieved by repetitive movements designed to re-establish the full range of motion and reprogram the nervous system. Twisting the spinal column and wringing the tissues are popular measures to enliven the recipient. 

One of the most important principles of Thai massage is the continuous flow of sequential movements that prepares the client for the next step in the massage. The practitioner is always aware of their position so that an uninterrupted, slow rhythm is maintained. Deep, sustained pressure ensures that the myofascia, or the muscle’s connective tissue, softens and relaxes in order to release the flow of energy along the Sen and to prepare the client for the large-scale stretches that follow.

A thorough Thai massage

includes the following basic positions:

Supine

The most likely way to begin the sequence is starting with the feet with the client lying face up. Working along the lines toward the hips. Then working along the lines from the hands toward the torso.
Abdominal massage is also rendered in this position as well as sitting above the head to work with the neck and shoulders.

Prone

Whenever you are booking a longer session, you are sure to enjoy the benefits of lying face down and having someone crawl up your back. The prone position also has great advantages for working with the neck and shoulders 

Side-lying

This is one of the approaches that are unique in Thai Massage. There are so many ways to approach the body in the side-lying that it hardly serves to limit this to one picture. I was in a similar position when my classmate was working on me in 2008 when I decided to make Thai massage the focus of my therapy practice. 

Inverted

Inversions positively influence the cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous, and endocrine systems. Inversions reverse the harmful effects of gravity. Inversions reduce mental stress and defy the aging process. Inversions strengthen the immune system and mind.  

Sitting

The sitting position is a nice transition between the supine and the prone position. It is also a nice way to close the session.  

Training & certification

Thai massage can be strenuous for the practitioner. To become a Thai master, it is said that the best place to learn is where the therapy originates. The well-known school at Wat Po in Bangkok and in Chiang Mai, The Old Medicine Hospital, both in Thailand, are famous for their teachings of the ancient art. It is also possible to receive instruction in the United States from teachers who studied in Thailand, as well as Thai instructors who came over to offer classes in American massage schools. All of our practitioners have learned the most important aspects of the meditative spirit–awareness, mindfulness, and concentration. Correct body positioning and posture control while giving a massage are of vital importance to all of our practitioners in order to avoid injury.

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Understanding What Makes Thai Massage a Holistic Massage Treatment

10 October 2020
Eric Reinhold
Categories: Theory
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Understanding What Makes Thai Massage a Holistic Massage Treatment

Holistic is a word

often associated with Thai massage therapy. You may have heard your therapist use it or may have come across it while researching ‘therapeutic massage near me on the internet. 
It is not just one of those fancy buzzwords frequently used in the massage industry, but it actually refers to how Thai massage addresses you as a whole person. The aim is to achieve physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being, rather than focusing primarily on the physical aspect or just the problematic area, which is usually the approach taken by modern medical science. 

Are All Massage Therapies Holistic? 

You must understand that not all massage sessions are holistic. There are massage practitioners who take from modern medical science and work primarily on the physical symptoms. So, if you experience pain and discomfort in a specific body part, they will focus just on that, implementing techniques like rubbing and pressing. 

The treatment eases the discomfort, but you are missing out on the plethora of benefits of a holistic Thai massage treatment. 

Now, Let’s Enlighten You about the Holistic Thai Massage Therapy! 

As a licensed and experienced practitioner of traditional Thai massage in NYC, I will give you a rundown of holistic Thai massage therapy. We will start with the different elements that add ‘holistic’ to a massage session: 

  • The physical element or the body and its many support functions- food, air, and exercise or movement.
  • The emotional element or your reactions to happenings in life.
  • The mental element. That includes your attitude, intellect, and thought patterns.
  • The spiritual element. That encourages you to look at life as more than a temporary biophysical event. It helps you seek meaningfulness, purposefulness, and connectedness in life.

How Are These Elements Applied in Thai Massage Practice?

Thai massage does much, much more than treating symptoms manifested through the physical body. It embraces the holistic approach and works on the wellness of the entire system. 

Physical 

You already know your therapist will work on your physical body when you book a session for a traditional Thai massage in NYC. But it is not just about relieving symptoms. 

Your posture, breathing, nutrition, and exercise habits contribute significantly to your physical wellbeing. Your massage therapist will ask you questions to determine the root cause of the problem and make you aware that you need to address those issues along with regular massage for long-term relief. 

For example, while discussing your lifestyle, if your therapist discovers that you hardly exercise; they will recommend that you follow an exercise routine.

Emotional 

Negative emotions, like hatred, frustration, anger, dissatisfaction, and more, keep you from reaching your full potential, and holistic Thai massage helps you deal with those emotions in a healthy way. 

Thai massage stimulates and balances your energy through Sen Line Therapy. Your massage practitioner can also suggest Abdominal Therapy effective in releasing emotions bottled up in your abdomen. 

You will feel relaxed and full of positive energy after a Thai massage session.

Mental 

Thai massage therapy goes deeper than the physical level. It aims to find the root cause of the problem with good communication between you and your therapist. You may get to know your limiting beliefs acting as a roadblock when it comes to healing.

Spiritual 

Spirituality has nothing to do with religion or culture. It is a wholesome outlook toward life. So, it unites instead of dividing; it preaches, and practices love rather than hate; does not promote judgment; aims to heal, and goes beyond race, color, and religion, focusing on the essence of beings, among other things. 

A good Thai massage practitioner will exhibit these qualities and transmit healing energy better.

Experience the Holistic Essence of Thai Massage at Thai Massage NYC.

From general relaxation and a way to enhance flexibility to recuperate from pain and discomfort, a holistic Thai massage helps.  

At our massage studio, we combine effective communication, understand your body and mind, and apply the right techniques to deliver profound healing that not only alleviates physical symptoms but also balances energy and releases stress, both mental and emotional.  

So, do book an appointment with us if you are searching for ‘therapeutic massages near me’ in NYC. 

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Who was Dr. Jivaka Komarabaccha, and is he Really the Inventor of Thai Massage?

12 September 2020
Eric Reinhold
Categories: History
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Who was Dr. Jivaka Komarabaccha,
and is he Really the Inventor of Thai Massage?

By: Reinhold

Who was Jivaka?

You might feel inspired by your health-conscious peers, When it comes to enhancing overall wellness, getting a Thai massage is an incredible option. Whether achy joints are troubling you or you are experiencing stiffness in the body due to long hours of sitting at a desk, Thai massage will provide much-needed relief from the pain and discomfort.
Dr. Jivaka Komarabaccha, a legendary figure in the history of medicine in Thailand, China, and Tibet, is popularly referred to as the founder of Thai massage. However, the truth is, that there is no proof that he ever traveled to Thailand. 

The Story of Jivaka’s Birth. 

In the 4th century BCE, Salavarti, a trained dancer and a master of the arts of discussion, served as the official courtesan of the small city Rajagaha. She gave birth to a baby boy but did not keep the child. The abandoned baby was found by Prince Ahhaya, who named him Jivaka Komarabaccha and decided to raise him. 

 Jivaka became a Doctor. 

Jivaka was interested in the field of medicine and was determined to pursue it. During that period, Taxila was a hub of medical education. So, after coming of age, Jivaka traveled to the city. There, he became the apprentice of Atreya, a famous physician who finds mention in Ayurvedic history. He studied medicine with Atreya for seven years. He graduated unexpectedly one day when he returned to his teacher after thinking he had failed when the assignment was to find a plant with no medicinal value.

Atreya then pronounced him a valid physician and declared him fit to practice healing arts. 

His Relationship to the Buddha and Buddhism. 

There are accounts of him treating the Buddha with dietary changes, gentle purgation, and lotus flowers. He developed a close relationship with Buddhism’s first sangha, a community of Buddhist monks and nuns.  

Regarded as a white-robed lay Buddhist who served the sangha through his medical services, a tradition of medicine started in Buddhist monasteries as they expanded outward from India. 

As Jivaka’s story became a part of the medical lore across many countries, the story was adapted to the audience. For example, the Tibetan story presents him as the illegitimate son of King Bimbisara and a merchant’s wife, while a Chinese version portrays his mother as a mythical virgin who gave birth. One thing that is common to all accounts is Jivaka’s success in performing an open skull surgery. 

Some Misconceptions about Dr. Jivaka. 

Jivaka was neither a monk nor was he a practitioner of Thai massage. He just supported the monastic order by offering his medical services and served as an inspiration for anyone whose intention is to bring relief of suffering to the ones they touch. 

Dr. Jivaka lived in India some 2,500 years ago during the time of Buddha. He never physically traveled to Thailand, and it was the Buddhist legends and texts through which he became a known figure in the country. Moreover, as popularly claimed, he did not create the Thai massage technique. 

Then, why is he revered across Thailand by village herbalists, midwives, allopathic medical doctors, and dentists? Because he was a great healer. 

This is how he influenced traditional Thai medicine’s theoretical system through Buddhist accounts that migrated to Thailand through travelers between India and China.

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