Thai reflexology is an alternative healing process, practiced for thousands of years.
It differs from the Western style, in terms of style, techniques, and more.
Read ahead!
Thai reflexology is a massage of the feet, knees, and lower legs. Also known as Thai foot massage, this ancient healing process has an excellent range of health benefits. It may improve blood circulation, relieve stress and anxiety, enhance sleep patterns, boost the immune system, soothe a headache, reduce joint inflammation, and more.
Thai reflexology has many similarities with the Western style of reflexology. On the other hand, there are several differences as well. In this article, we'll get a look at some of them.
The Origin
Thai reflexology dates back over 2000 years ago. It was developed as an amalgamation of Chinese Tuina, Japanese Shiatsu, and Indian Ayurveda. The Buddhist monks at the Thai Royal Palace used to practice it. They kept the techniques a secret, passing them down through generations over the centuries.
Western reflexology was developed by an American named Dr. Fitzgerald in the early 20th century. He even wrote a book called 'Zone Therapy' in 1909. Eunice Ingham later extended those techniques and made the therapy popular all around the world.
Style and Techniques
A Thai reflexology session usually lasts for an hour, which is longer than a session of Western reflexology.
The session for traditional Thai reflexology is typically offered on the floor. On the other hand, a massage table is used in the west.
The massage in Thai reflexology is done through several stages, which is unlike the massage in Western reflexology.
Thai reflexology does not involve the caterpillar-styled thumb walking, which is widely used in the west.
Thai reflexology is more relaxing compared to the Western-style. It incorporates very little stress on the joints in your feet and legs.
A wooden stick is used in Thai reflexology to stimulate the pressure points in your body. Westernstyle of the reflexology is all about the use of fingers, thumbs, and knuckles.
Thai reflexology creates a balance among the 72,000 sen lines in your body (through removing energy blockages and then promoting energy flow within the sen). Western reflexology's focus is to stimulate the reflex points located in the feet, and further stimulate the optimal functioning of all organs throughout the body.
