Lesson 9 : Health Care Professional

Definition of health care professional

At present, more and more people have begun to pay good attention to their health. In addition, they give importance to their four basic living needs, i.e. food, clothing, housing and health. This led to the expansion of the health care business. In response to the increasing demand on health care, businesses provide Thai massage, spa, yoga, aerobic and ballroom dancing for health improvement. This Lesson will present the Thai massage as an example of an occupation that can be further developed into a health care service.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is a valuable Thai tradition which has been accumulated and continuously passed on over a long period of time. Thai people learned how to massage in order to ease their own aching pain and to relax their muscles with massage and stretching exercises or learn in order to help other people. Learning to massage often began from helping to ease the pain of family members with warm loving and caring touch. The knowledge and experience of doing so then was passed on from one generation to the next. Such, each group of people developed their own unique and distinct principles and strategies in massaging. Massage became the art of touching to create warm feelings, relaxation and ease from fatigue. It helps to refresh the body and the mind of people. It can be said that Thai massage is both science and art which has developed step by step. While the technological advances of modern medicine play a key role in maintaining the health of people around the world, many people are seeking alternatives for their own health care for many different reasons. Thai massage is an alternative in health care and has become increasingly popular. The reason is that nowadays more painkillers and many types of antidepressant are used and many painkillers have quite strong side effects, for example stomachache, stomach ulcers, and vomiting blood.

History of Thai Massage

In ancient times, knowledge of medicine and Thai massage was taught and handed down from generation to generation by medical masters who took on apprentices and cautiously instructed them until they would remember the skills and techniques. The knowledge transferred in this way may sometimes have been increased, diminished or altered depending on the master’s and the apprentice’s teaching and learning abilities.

Thai medicine prospered under the reign of King Narai of Ayutthaya, especially Thai massage which appeared in military and civilian elite circles. King Narai appointed an osteopath who received the title of a right permanent secretary with a status of 300 rai land and an osteopath with the title of left permanent secretary who was given a status of 400 rai land. Another evidence regarding Thai massage are the annals of French ambassador de la Loubère recording about Thai doctors that “if someone in Siam is sick, they will have an osteopath see the patient who will be treading on the patient’s body with their feet”.

At the beginning of the Rattanakosin era, Thai medicinal art was inherited from the Ayutthaya period but many documents and some knowledge were lost during the war and practitioners were taken prisoners of war. Only monks, being medical practitioners living in the provinces were left alone. King Rama I of Bangkok had a statue made depicting the 80 postures, including explanations, of Thai massage. In addition, a stele of the marble was made showing the massage points in 60 pictures in detail. He had the walls and pillars of the temple hall in the temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) decorated so people of all classes could come to study there.

Later on in the year 2357, King Nang Klao Chao Yu Hua had graciously restored the temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) and had a cast metal sculpture made and had the records of Thai herbal medicine rewritten and inscribed around the temple. The general public could now study the collection of massage techniques and medicinal records in Wat Pho to use the knowledge to their advantage from

then on. In 2397, King Mongkut had the textbook of Thai massage called “Royal Medical Texts” or “Doctor in Court” rewritten and gave masseurs and doctors the opportTopicy to treat him accordingly. Wherever King Mongkut went, a masseur would be with him every time.

In 2499, King Rama V ordered the royal physicians to sort out and translate medical textbooks written in Pali and Sanskrit into Thai language and called this book “Textbook of medical assistance (Royal edition)”.

Later, when Western medicine arrived at Thai society, Thai massage lost its role in the court King Rama VI. However, it regained importance during the reign of the present king after the establishment of the Ayurveda College (College for Thai Medicine). Among local people, Thai massage is still being passed on from ancestors to contemporaries.

Styles of Thai Massage

There are 2 styles of Thai massage

1. Court massage is reserved for the king and his court. This type of massage uses only hands, thumps and fingertips for the treatment of the body to minimize bodily contact between patient and masseur. Motions used during massage are very gracious. There are many requirements for learning this kind of massage and the specialist who then works in the royal palace will receive a salary of a rank position.

2. Regular massage (unofficial) or “Acupressure” is the way for common people to relax their mussels and increase blood circulation by using the hands combined with other parts of the body such as elbow, knee, and feet. The movements during this kind of massage are not very ritualized. It is the well known Thai massage as practiced among Thai people.

Categories of Thai massage

Thai massage improves health and helps to relax. It can be divided into several categories.

1. Oil Massage

A massage with natural, fragrant and pure oils will refresh and relax. Fragrances will reduce stress especially in treatment of insomnia, stress, and depression. The pure oil will nourish the skin, slim the body, strengthen the muscles, and dissolve body fat. During massaging the warm oil will penetrate deeply into the skin and the muscles to create a feeling of comfort.

2. Anti-stress massage

This traditional massage is in accordance with the hygienic principles of Thai medicine. It affects both body and mind directly by increasing blood circulation, relaxing muscles, relieving body pain and muscle strain, energizing the overall health and relaxing the mind.

3. Foot Sole Massage

Foot sole or foot massage will restore balance in the body and stimulates blood flow to the various extremities of the body. Systematically applied pressure simulates the nerve reflexes in the feet. Pressure points in our feet correspond to the major body parts and organs. This massage will improve overall bodily functions and restore balance and harmony to the body.

4. Sports massage

Extreme exercise may cause muscle fatigue or spasm in certain muscles. A sports massage will calm and relax those muscles.

5. Acupressure

Acupressure is a therapeutic massage targeting the pain at specific body points or joints. Stiff tendons and joint tissue can be relaxed by applying pressure to the pressure points following the sequence of the organs. This type of massage requires an experienced masseur who has long been giving massage and who had observed the reaction of the organs to the pressure applied.

6. Aromatherapy

This is a massage with aromatic oils to relax all muscles in the body.

7. Hot Pack Massage

This massage uses hot herbal compresses which contain fresh or dried crushed herbs. These herbs are mixed und packed tightly together, then wrapped in cloth to make the hot compress. Once heated over stream, the compress is pushed onto the body to relieve muscle tension or stress.

8. Migraine Massage

This massage relieves headaches where pressure is applied to the points of pain directly on the head.

How to do Thai massage

If Thai massage is done correctly, the masseur will not become tired and the massage will have its full effect. The massage should be done in a suitable and safe manner to be healthy and relaxing for the patient.

1. Pressure

Pressure in applied by thumb and fingers in a circular motion to the energy lines of the muscles. Pressure can also be applied by fingers, thumbs, knees, and feet by pushing down and stretching the muscles. In this way the muscles will relax and the blood vessels expand to increase blood flow, nerves and organs will function better.

2. Squeezing

Muscles are squeeze between hand palms and thumbs might be used to increase the effect. This massage is used to increase blood circulation and relax muscles.

3. Hit/Slap/Chop

This technique uses hands and fists to gently hit, slap or chop the muscles thereby relaxing

the strained muscle and increasing blood flow. This technique also helps eliminate waste from body.

4. Rolling

Weight and muscle power are equally used in a circular motion. Force rather than the use of the elbow results in relaxation. Often used for sensitive areas such as the bones or joints.

5. Rubbing

Weight is used to massage by rubbing in straight or circular motion to help relieve muscle aches or joint pain.

6. Rotating

Joints are rotated in circles; allowing easier for joint movement and relaxation.

7. Rolling

The elbow and forearm press firmly into a large muscle such as the thigh in a rotating and rolling manner. The pressure and movement massages along the body. It also stretches the muscles.

8. Shaking

Shake the hands, legs, or arms to improve the blood circulation and relax the muscles in the body.

9. Convolution

Similar to rotation, the torque exerted stretches the joints and muscles diagonal. Stretches muscles and tendons, loosens the joints.

10. Elastic joint

Exert an elastic joint as soon as sounding loudly, so that movement of the joints works

better.

11. Extensibility

Stretching is great exercise to stretch out a long way to help muscles. Tendon straightened release.

12. To stop the flow blood

Using hand press the pulse point at the base of the leg to stop the blood flow to the

temporal half 1 minute, then slowly release it to make the blood flow better.

How to do Thai massage

Due to the fact that Thai massage is currently very popular, many businesses provide

Thai massage service often in conjunction with a spa. This business can earn a lot of money for

Thailand by average income of operation details are as follows.

Body massage 300-400 Baht / 2 hrs.

Foot massage 150-250 Baht / hrs.

Herbal massage 300-350 Baht / 2 hrs.

Oil massage 600-800 Baht / 2 hrs.

So if you want to be able to learn a skill to practice their professional from various

sources in the community.

Sources of learning Thai massage in Bangkok

1. WatPo, Thai Traditional medical School ( Tha - Tien) there are 3 schools in the field of open learning and teaching about Thai massage since 2505 and has subsequently added a new course today.

392/25 – 28 Soi Pen Phat 1, Maharat Road, Phra Nakorn, Bangkok 10200

Tel. 02-622-3551, 02-221-3686

2. Bangkok Rama Place ( Baan Siri ) Hostelling International

Phatthanakan Road, between Soi 48 and 50, Suan Luang, Bangkok

Tel. 02-722-6602 to 10

3. Spa training center wooden Medical Association

Phahon Yothin branch 54/4

Tel. 089-214-1118, 084-091-9511

4. Phussapa Thai massage School

25/8 Soi 26, Sukhumvit Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110

Tel. 02-204-2922 to 3

5. Thai Massage institute

13 moo 12, Ramkhamheang 116 Road, Minburi, Bangkok 10510

Tel. 02-917-4933, 02-517-6818

6. Choniwes Holistic Thai Massage Training Center

530 Choniwes Pracharchun Road, Chatucak, Bangkok 10900

Tel. 02-911-0543, 02-585,0995

7. Doi Num Sub

505 Soi Lat Phrao 48, Samsen Nok, Huay Kwang, Bangkok

Tel. 02-939-8167, 02-513-9086

8. Thai Massage & Spa Academy

138/157 Moo 4, Wong khan Na Yao, Bangkok

9. Spa of Siam Academy

163 Thai Ocean Bld., Suriyawong Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok

Tel. 02-634-1900, 081-426-5843

10. Chiva –Som International Academy

Ground Floor, Modern Town Building, 87/104 Sukhumvit Soi 63, Bangkok 10110

Tel. 02-711-5270 to 3

11. Princess Beauty and Spa International Co., Ltd. Siam Square Branch

194-196 Soi 1 (Scala) Rama I Road, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

Tel. 02-253-3681

12. Benja Spa

333 Soi 21, Muang Thong 2/2, Phatthanakan 61 , Pra Wet, Bangkok 10250

Tel. 02-722-2900

13. Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine and Beauty

111/40 Sirisuk Village Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Si kan, Don Muang, Bangkok 10210

14. Ploymalee

177(30) Soi Phahon Yothin 24, Phahon Yothin Road, Jomphon, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900

15. Bangkok Beauty & Spa School

12/1 Lat Phrao 122, Wang Thonglang,, Bangkok 10310

Tel. 02-934-2690, 02-734-3290, 086-510-5078, 086-322-5458

Wat Po

Sources of learning Thai massage in Central region

Wat Po

1. Watpo Thai Traditional medical School (Salaya) there are 3 schools in the field of open learning and teaching about Thai massage since 2505 and has subsequently added a new course today.

87 Moo1 Salaya – Nakorn Chai Si, Maha Sawat, Phutthamonthon, Nakorn Pathom 73120 Tel. 034-365-001 to 4

2. WatPo Thai Traditional medical School (WatPo – Chang Watthana)

Sailom Building 50-89 Soi Pak Kret – Chang Watthana, Nonthaburi 11120

Tel. 02-962-7338 to 40, 053-410-3601 to 5

3. Thai Traditional Medical Service

Klong3, Klong Luang, Pathumthani

4. Doctor Thanu Clinic

Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani

5. Suan Nanachaat

36/12 Moo4 Nong Bua, Muang, Kanchanaburi 71190

Tel. 081-9080-201, 081-6999-052, 034-633-356

6. Ploymalee (Aom-Yai)

47/78 Nisachon Village Phet Kasem, Aom Yai, Sam Pran, Nakorn Pathom 73160

7. Thai Massage Medical School (Salaya)

87 Moo1 Salaya-Nakorn Chai Si, Maha Sawat, phutthamonthon, Nakorn Pathom 73170

Tel. 034-365-001 to 4

8. Career Development Massage Thailand Wat Sao Thong Thong

Koh Kret, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi

9. Moh Napa Thai Massage

89/59 Soi 4 Pomiewt, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi 11120

Tel. 081-868-3888, 02-583,3377, 083-439-1414

10. Anantasuk Thai Massage School

23/3-4 Moo3, klong Makhamg Reang, Hor rattanachai, Ayutthaya 13000

Tel. 035-244-696, 081-126-0008

Sources of learning Thai massage in North region

1. Watpo Thai Traditional medical School (Chiang Mai)

there are 3 schools in the field of open learning and teaching about Thai massage since 2505 and has subsequently added a new course today.

7/1-2 Soi after Lanna Book Phacha Uthit Road, Chang Puak, Muang, Chiang Mai

Tel. 053-410-360 to 1

2. ITM Academy

17/6-7 Morakot, Chang Puak, Muang, Chiang Mai

Tel. 053-262-574

3. Sunshine Massage School

159/2 Soi 4 Kaew Naowarat, Wat Ket, Muang, Chiang Mai

Tel. 053-262-574

4. Lanna Thai Massage School

47 Chang Road, Moi Kao, Soi 3, Chang Moi, Muang, Chiang Mai 50300

Tel. 053-232-547

1. Watpo Thai Traditional medical School (Chiang Mai)

Sources of learning Thai massage in North-East region

1. Baan Dao Ruang

Tumbon Songha, Muang, Nong Kai 41300

Tel. 089-621-3512

2. Nongbualamphu Community College

Tumbon Dan Chang, Na Klang, Nongbualamphu

3. Thai Massage Demonstration Center

Udonthani Province Public Health Officer

Tel. 042-223-356 extension 611, 042-249-692

4. Thailand Medical Group

Tumbon Napin, Trakanpuetpon, Ubon Ratchathani 34130

Tel. 087-908-2733, 087-958-4209

Sources of learning Thai massage in South region

1. Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness Resort Phuket

1. Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness Resort Phuket

5/10 Moo 3 Chao Fah Road, Vichit, Muang, Phuket 83000

Tel.076-263-22

Thai Massage Business

Nowadays, there are several problems of pain in body or symptoms of stress. Often happens to many people, especially when older. Cause by several factors such as the pain in the neck or work long stressful. There are the people who have the need for more services.

The popularity of massage not only limited in Thailand. If it expands among the gentiles, especially ASEAN, Thai Massage business happens to satisfy their demand. This business is an alternative for those who want their own business but before you start doing, operators should study and understand in deep before. Anyone interested in Thai massage should have the following basic features and capabilities. As following

1. Service mind because Thai massage is business so, entrepreneurs must have passion to serve. Having to be honest with gentle, sincere, friendly, and good attitude.

2. Healthy body and healthy mind which is always good. Keep healthy exercising. If massager have a fever or feel sick, he or she should not be performed. It will not work well because the disease may spread to the customer.

3. Moral and right Livelihood. Massage as a service one by one, Massager has an opportunity to touch very close anytime. So, massage need to be a moral person as following

Do not drink alcohol before and after because massager will lost control and may make the treatment does not work as expected.

A flirtatious manner without abuse or verbal advances due to customer is woman or man should act in regard to the solicitation of the massage is not appropriate. Especially do not talk about sex, need politely with their customer.

Not flattering to deceive with a fever or be tempted to massage it back again. If does not work, it should tell you to be honest. And encourage customer to be treated by other ways. Does not tempt to praise the rank fortune of money.

Do not massage in the orbit or the improper location, such as prostitution, gambling, etc.

4. Massager should have basic knowledge of Thai Massage or trained from training at least 30-75 hrs. or 15-45 days due basis. Allows operators to fully understand this business.

5. Proper location, Clear visible, convenient transportation because if there be an excellent business, it will be a success to be one.

Entrepreneur

Before start Thai Massage Business, entrepreneur has to contact the agencies below.

Department of Business Development to establish a business. In general, business is not required to exempt registered. If you sell more products to be registered with them. You can get the details from www.ismed.or.th or www.thairegistration.com
The Revenue Department to carry out tax registration and VAT. You can get the details from www.rd.go.th
Ministry of Public Health for registered and licensed as a massage practitioner if the diagnosis or treatment of the practitioner Rehabilitation Act 2542. The massager must be registered and licensed. Thailand branch of medicine or traditional medicine. Before the Board of Nursing and must be performed in a licensed hospital only. If a massage to relieve pain not to treat the disease. The treatment does not require the registration and license the Art of Healing. Entrepreneurs can apply at Division of health professionals, Ministry of Public Health or filed in the office of the provincial health district or Provincial Health Office. Although the business is providing professional massage service. It is a professional that requires a sense of responsibility as well.

Legalpenalties

There are penalties if the legal action massages therapy but unlicensed practitioner. It is a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 three years or to a fine not exceeding 30,000 baht or both. Even though the sign are not as massage therapy without a license is guilty. To be imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht or both legally responsible for the massage. If it is dangerous to massage or if the others are harmful to the body with an offense under Section 295 Criminal Code by imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, a fine not exceeding 4,000 baht or both. If the treatment is a serious danger as the blind, deaf, tongue, lack the ability to veil the nerves. Reproductive organs, along with mental abortion face, disability or chronic illness throughout his life or unable to engage in normal activities for more than 20 days, so 6 months to 10 years imprisonment if committed by negligence such as massage then a several hazard to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding 6,000 baht or both. Massage leads to death if the patient is considered an act of negligence to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht.

Factors that lead to successful business plan for Thai massage

1. Be honest with customer and yourself.

2. To create awareness of good customer service to employees, such as when you enter the store to greet customers in a friendly.

3. Services to maintain a constant standard by a massage with every step and by the time specified.

4. To appropriate location means near the target and the rental place is not too expensive.

5. With the cleanliness of the facility. Cleaning equipment massage and staff all the time.

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