In September 2006 Leon Chaitow asked if I would like to write an article about Thai Massage and neuromuscular technique (NMT) for the Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, that he edits. Leon had come across a description of Thai Massage which seemed to resonate with some aspects of NMT. As the origins of both systems could be traced to India his curiosity was piqued.
I thought I replied with the perfect excuses. Although my Thai Massage teachers had trained in Thailand I had never been there and did not consider myself to be the best person to comment on this traditional technique.
What is more, while studying soft tissue techniques with Leon in 1995 I had recognised the possibility of developing a more neuromuscular approach to Thai Massage. I also integrated the concept of ‘myofascial pathways’ derived from the work of Ida Rolf. With this combination I developed a style of Thai Massage that could be described as ‘myofascial bodywork.’ Thai Massage is more commonly described as ‘energy work.’
Alas, my excuses sealed my fate. Leon wanted his article and asked if he might put Elsevier in touch with a view to me writing a book. My plan for a leisurely year was scuppered.
- The Author -
Key Features
- The book includes references to anatomy, physiology and therapeutic processes such as neuromuscular technique and covers massage and relaxation and the techniques and relationship skills that make good massage.
- The author has distilled the techniques, discarded what he considers dangerous or disturbing for the patient and concentrated on understanding the techniques and ways of working necessary to promote complete relaxation for the client.
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Past and present
- A brief history 5
- Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha 6
- Thai Massage today 8
- Ten sen 11
- Sen and Traditional Chinese Medicine 22
- Sen, Ayur-veda and yoga 22
- Introduction 26
- Connective tissue 27
- A note on neuromuscular technique (NMT) 34
- Dreambody 37
- Introduction 39
- Leg lines 40
- Feet lines 45
- Arm lines 53
- Back lines 58
- Face lines 60
- Working the myofascial sen 61
- Introduction 63
- The Metta Sutta 66
Chapter 7 Working with health
Chapter 8 A one-and-a-half-hour routine
- Introduction 74
- Begin with the end in mind 75
- Working the feet 77
- Working the legs 83
- Working the hands and arms 103
- Working with the patient lying on their side 113
- Working with the patient prone 120
- Working with the patient sitting 125
- Working the neck and head 128
- General contraindications 134
- The blood stop – just don’t do it! 135
- Applied yoga asanas 135
- Spinal twists and spinal adjustments 135
- The plough 138
- Cobra stretches 139
- Walking on the back 141
- Forward bends 142
- Kidney stretch 144
- Introduction 147
- Practising massage as a craft 147
- Pruning our techniques 147
- Getting massage 148
- Building a practice 148
- Working with family and friends 148
- Managing our practice 148
- Managing our patients 149
- Questions and notes 149
- Aim 149
- Music 150
- Talking 150
- Self observation 150
- Pacing 150
- Demanding patients 151
- Relationship 151
- Money 151
- Sex 152
- Breathing 152
- Tracking the patient 153
- Invisibility 153
About the Author
Howard Derek Evans, MA, PgDip, Lecturer, University of Westminster, London, UK; Private Practitioner in Therapeutic Bodywork. Evans's own training includes Traditional Chinese Medicine, Thai Massage, Advanced Thai Massage, integrative and core process psychotherapy and biodynamic craniosacral therapy. He completed his Masters Degree in Therapeutic Bodywork with a thesis exploring the importance of listening in therapy - whether to the psychological or to the physical organisation of the patient. He has worked as a therapist since 1992 and has been teaching Thai Massage since 1996. His abiding interest both as a therapist and as a teacher is in the power of deep relaxation and the therapeutic skills required to achieve this state in the patient.
Book Review
I suggest that a reading of Howard’s book on Thai massage (TM) will produce several simultaneous effects – at least it did so for me.
- Firstly, you will become familiar with an elegant, apparently simple, but potentially profound, approach to bodywork.
- Secondly, you will be exposed to a philosophically integrated way of using manual methods, as these interact with emotion and psychology, while apparently focusing on physical structures.
- And finally, you will be led gently into a familiarity with the author’s synthesis of Eastern (Thai, Tibetan, Indian and Chinese) and Western concepts, that have emerged from his own eclectic exposure to Thai Massage, Structural Integration, osteopathic soft tissue manipulation methods, body-centred psychotherapy, Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and more.
- By Leon Chaitow ND DO -
Product Details
- Paperback: 176 pages
- Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 1 edition (January 12, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0443068143
- ISBN-13: 978-0443068140
- Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
List Price: $58.95