Traditional Thai Massage is a therapeutic technique that dates back thousands
of years. Its precise origins are unknown, but practitioners traditionally trace
their lineage to
Chivaka Komarapatr, a private doctor and friend of the Buddha,
is said to have successfully used massage and stretching techniques along with
herbal and other remedies to treat ailments and conditions amongst the nuns and
monks that were traveling with the
Buddha, spreading Buddhism and these medicinal
techniques all over Southeast Asia.
By the time, medical institution and practices of the monastery went along as integral
parts of the religious system. When Buddhism reached Thailand in the 3rd or 2nd
century BC, temples were built with adjacent dispensaries and medical schools.
Massage and other healing arts were taught and applied in the monasteries and
within the family. In families, it has been mainly an oral tradition (as most
people could not read) handed down from teacher to student. The purpose of writing
it down was to preserve the medical tradition for the longest possible time and
make it available to the maximum number of people of future generations.
As to where and when
Ancient Massage originated
precisely, it is difficult to ascertain for sure. A long time has passed and
many historical evidences have disappeared. Most text have been lost during various
invasions.
Only fragments of the existing precious medical texts survived. These were used as a basis for the
famous epigraphs at
Wat Po in Bangkok so that people
in the next generation can practice all techniques until now.
