Traditional Medicine in Asia

Traditional Medicine in Asia
Healing is carried out by using a singleherb
preparation or a mixed medicinal
plants prescription. Mixed herb preparations
are used for chronic diseases.
Advantages and
characteristics of holistic
medicine
� Holistic medicine places emphasis on
lifestyle, health promotion and disease
prevention;
� Holistic medicine creates a warm and
empathic relationship between the
practitioner and the patient. Proper
mental health of the patient is essential
for treatment;
� Treatment by holistic medicine lays
emphasis on the patients’ Dhatu or
Element;
� Holistic medicine can cure chronic
diseases which are induced by stress.
Traditional Thai massage
Thai traditional massage is based on the
indigenous wisdom which the Thai people
have adopted from their ancestors
centuries ago. Massaging is a way of
treating sickness; it starts by relieving
tiredness or pain by the patient pressing
on the pain himself. When he cannot
massage himself he should ask somebody
to massage him. This pattern has developed
from massage by the family to
massage at the village-level and later on
to massage on a commercial scale.
Two patterns of Thai Traditional Massage:
� Unofficial Thai Massage (Folk
Massage);
� Royal Thai Massage.
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Unofficial Thai massage
This massage is given by persons to each
other in a family or in the village. This type
of massage is carried out not only by hand
but also by standing on the patient, pushing,
pulling and kneeling him by using also the
elbow, knee, forehand and edge of the foot.
This type of massage relieves tiredness and
pain and also develops warm and good
relationship among the family members.
Royal Thai massage
This massage is given to the King and the
Royal family. In this type of polite massage,
only the hand is used. The person carrying
out the massage does not come close to
the member of the Royal family, does not
breathe into the person undergoing the
massage and does not turn up his face, as
it is disrespectful.
The characteristics of the Royal Thai
massage and folk massage are given
below:
Royal Thai massage
� Give a massage in a polite manner by
walking on knees towards the patient
and by not breathing directly on him;
� Start massage from the back of the
feet;
� Give the massage only by using the
hands, thumbs and fingers. The arms
should be straight;
� Give the massage to the patient when
he is sitting, lying on the back, lying in
a side position but not when he is lying
on his stomach;
� The person doing the massage does
not bend part of the body of the patient
being massaged with force by using his
knees or elbows;
� The massage has an effect on the
organs and tissues by enhancing the