THAI FOOT MASSAGE
Authentic Thai Foot Massage is one of the most enjoyable and healthful aspects of visiting Thailand.
Here it is a true pleasure to enjoy a wonderfully relaxing and beneficial foot massage while watching the world go by from a comfortable recliner chair.
Thai Foot Massage is a unique blend of foot massage and reflexology.
For therapists this can be a highly useful addition to their repertoire and an entirely new income stream. This enjoyable massage system is very popular in Thailand, but unique in the western world.
What exactly is Thai Foot Massage?
There are two main styles of Thai Foot Massage.
The first style is part of the whole body Thai Massage system.
Traditionally Thai Massage sessions start with a foot massage, and then the therapists work their way up the body.
These sessions are generally done on a floor mat, with the client fully dressed, and without application of oil.
Since working without oil largely prevents sliding or stroking movements, the techniques consist primarily of pressure points and various foot manipulations and stretches.
Therapists use their thumbs, forearms, elbows, and even knees and feet to work in the supine, prone and side position.
The second style is not used as part of a whole body massage, but is mostly focused on the feet only. This is generally done with the client sitting in a comfortable recliner with the feet resting on a stool.
The therapist is sitting on a small stool or chair while working on the feet. Since oil or lotion is used for this type of foot massage, the techniques are mostly stroking moves with thumbs, knuckles or the entire palm.
This style is the Thai version of foot reflexology.
It is not a pure reflexology style, but is blended with general foot massage work and can also include work on other parts of the body.
Generally this type of foot massage also includes working on the calf muscles.
Often neck, shoulder, arm and hand work is also offered to the clients as a final phase of the foot massage session. Then the client sits on the stool where the feet had been resting on previously and the therapist is standing up.
Although these are two separate systems, they are part of the same family of body work. Most foot massage therapists are also trained in Thai Massage, and there is some overlap between the two systems.
For example the therapists will often include some foot stretches in the reflexology session.
Here is a chart comparing Thai Foot Massage with Thai Reflexology:
| Thai Foot Massage | Thai Reflexology | |
| Method of application | dry, no oil is used | oil |
| Setting | floor mat | recliner chair |
| Therapist’s tools | hands, forearms, elbows, knees, feet | thumbs, knuckles, palms |
| Client’s position | lying down in supine, prone or side position | sitting in a recliner |
| Massage method | pressure points, stretches,manipulations | stroking and sliding moves |
| Massage style | part of a Thai Massage session | stand-alone modality |
| Session length | generally about 10 minutes at the beginning of a Thai massage session | full one hour session |
A Flexible System With Many Options
Above are the typical settings which are used in Thailand, however they can be easily modified. For example:
Thai Reflexology can be done with the client lying on a massage table or sitting in a recliner
Thai Foot Massage can be done with the client on a massage table instead of on a floor mat
Both styles are not limited to Thai Massage. They can be blended and used with other massage modalities as well.
Benefits And Enjoyment
In Thailand foot massage is very popular, and for good reasons.
From a health point of view, working on the feet is not only beneficial for the feet, but it affects the entire body. This is the primary concept of reflexology.
From an enjoyment point of view, foot massage takes top credits. Many of our students are reporting that as soon as they introduced Thai Foot Massage in their practice, clients began requesting full sessions.
How Can You learn Thai Foot Massage?
In the western world, foot massage is not as well known or as widely practiced as in Thailand. It is a wide open field with a tremendous opportunity to attract clients, expand your practice and offer a totally unique service.
Thai Healing Massage Academy is the provider of the most comprehensive and in-depth Thai Foot Massage online training course on the market.
For a very modest investment you can conveniently learn the entire system right in your home, while having easy online access to a live, caring instructor.