What to Expect of Thai Abdominal Massage?

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Within the Thai Healing Arts — of which knowledge and practices span centuries — there has always been attention for abdominal treatments.

In fact, Thai Traditional Massage as we know it is commonly applied as a Whole-Body Massage, and thus working with the abdomen (belly) and pelvic region simply makes part of a massage session. In that sense, abdominal work in Thailand is certainly not something extraordinary.

Yet, there have likewise always been Thai Massage therapists who made it their specialty to work with the abdominal and pelvic cavities, giving rise to Thai Abdominal Massage specialists. And moreover, within the realm of Thai abdominal treatments you’ll find quite a variety of sub-specialties:

• some aim at working with the genital organs (for example Jabkasai, Yok Thong, and Karsai Nei Tsang);
• others are rather focused on the muscles, fascia, and internal organs such as the rectus abdominis, psoas, liver, kidneys, and intestines (think of Chi Nei Tsang and Wissum Nuad Tong Boran);
• and again others aim at treating abdominal and pelvic issues that concern pregnant or postpartum women (for instance Thai Womblifting, Kud Thong Massage, and Kon Sau Massage).

In a general sense, and depending on the abdominal treatment specialty, Thai Abdominal Massage aims at alleviating or curing digestive problems (such as irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, excessive gas, and constipation), reproductive health issues and sexual dysfunctions, postural disorders and back pains, prenatal and postnatal issues, and improving the immune system and overall health by eliminating toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting lymphatic drainage.

Yet, Thai abdominal massages are also based on the assumption that unresolved emotional issues are stored in the cells and tissues of the digestive system, and that insufficient or poor “emotional digestion” is one of the main causes for a variety of illnesses or discomforts.

Hence, Thai Abdominal Massage treatments also specifically aim at resolving soft tissue tensions and clearing Life Force Energy blockages within the abdominal area and internal organs, with the idea of improving the free flow of Life Energy (Lom Pran), stimulating proper function of internal organs and vital functions, and restoring emotional balance.

Besides the use of common Thai Massage techniques, stretches, and herbal compresses, all Thai abdominal, pelvic, and genital treatment modalities actively apply acupressure techniques, which are considered an important part of the treatments.

Acupressure for the abdominopelvic area may be in the form of working on various important pressure points around the navel (which include Sen Line starting points) or on pressure points that are connected to the reproductive organs, and is usually given with the thumbs and fingers, the elbows, the knees, and even with the (heel of) the feet.

Many of these acupressure points can be found along the Sip Sen Energy Lines, but some are based on Indian Marma Point locations, Nadi, and Chakra theory, or on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Taoist Acupoints which can be found along TCM Meridians or even belong to the so-called Microcosmic Orbit, the latter known as an explicitly Taoist concept.

In any case, Thai abdominal treatment sessions are usually carried out with the receiver lying down in the supine or in the side-lying position on a massage table or on a massage mat on the floor. Receivers should wear comfortable clothes and can receive the treatment while being fully clothed or partly unclothed (notably when using oils or creams) with direct touch of the abdominal or pelvic area.

In general, a Thai Abdominal Massage session will take a minimum of one hour but extensive treatments that include full body work and/or the application of herbal pouches may extend up to two hours or even longer.

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