Thai Massage
What is Thai massage?
Thai massage follows the belief that the body is filled with 'lom' or air, which is inhaled into the lungs and travels through the body along 72,000 pathways called sen lines.
The sen lines are defined as tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels which follow the muscular contours by following pathways between muscle and bone.
Alongside the sen lines are meridians, which are energy pathways which also run through the entire body and are located deep down between muscle and bone. This understanding is derived from Buddhist medicine and is a central part of Thai massage therapy.
Buddhist medicine
Buddhist medicine states that sen lines and meridians are part of the same connective tissue or fascia network. Fascia is the three dimensional web of connective tissue that extends throughout our bodies. This network of fascia is vital as it provides stability and structure for the body.
Fascia covers, supports and separates skeletal muscle. It attaches muscle to muscle and runs in between and separates muscles thereby improving movement function. It also provides a protective route and sheath for blood vessels, nerves and lymph fluid to flow.
When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, fascia will become stressed leading to adhesions developing in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement and inflammation.