Today, there are around a hundred known types of massage, and each of them, of course, has a beneficial effect on a person's psychological and physical state. One of the most popular types of massage in recent times is herbal pouch massage, which our SPA salon also invites you to try.
This technique originated in Thailand, where it has been known for several centuries under the name "Tai-ji." Pouch massage gained popularity beyond its homeland thanks to its effectiveness in fighting depression, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and disorders in the functioning of organs and systems.
It's worth mentioning that the Tai-ji technique is unique — it combines the basics of acupuncture, aromatherapy, and even yoga, and has a positive effect on biologically active points on the body. Among other things, if desired, the procedure can be performed not only at a specialized salon but also at home. However, the effect of a home session will be significantly less than one performed by a professional massage therapist who knows all the secrets and works with acupuncture points, massage lines, and lymphatic flow lines.
Herbal Pouch Massage "Pha Ho Pa" at Royal Thai Spa
Before the session, the therapist fills two or more pouches made of natural fabric with an herbal blend. Usually, the blend is put together based on the client's preferences, although it's recommended to opt for ready-made mixtures with a specific therapeutic or cosmetic effect.
The base of such ready-made blends most often includes ground turmeric and ginger, lavender and sesame seeds, lime, patchouli, and sage. For a greater effect, the therapist can add a few drops of camphor or pure essential oils of ylang-ylang, rose, grapefruit, lemongrass, or orchid. Sometimes such pouches can contain around 40 herbs, though for home use it's fine to stick to just a few ingredients.
It's worth noting that the contents are intended for single use. After filling the pouches, the therapist warms them over steam to a temperature comfortable for the client and begins the session. Heating is a mandatory step, since it's the heat that allows the healing herbs to penetrate deep into the body and relieve spasms and pain, reducing inflammation and fatigue.
The heated pouches are placed along the spine and ribs, or on the arms and legs, after which rotating and pressing movements are performed with them, either one at a time or simultaneously. Typically, the massage begins by working on the feet and then moves upward. A mandatory part of Tai-ji is a preliminary warming massage, which the specialist performs using the general Thai method before moving on to the pouches. The entire procedure lasts from one to two hours. This is considered the optimal time to warm up all areas of the client's body and fully release the beneficial properties of the herbal contents of the pouches. However, this pleasant and unusual procedure does have a number of conditions in which a visit to the massage room should be limited or canceled altogether. These include conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, osteoporosis, pronounced varicose veins, and inflammatory skin diseases.