J u n e 2 0 0 7 M A S S A G E M a g a z i n e 33w w w. m a s s a g e m a g . c o m

The healing practice of Thaiherbal compress ther-apy dates back nearly 5,000

years, to an era when theknowledge of plants, includingtheir effects through ingestionor application on the body,were painstakingly researchedand then passed down fromone generation to the next.

This herbal therapy wasdesigned to relieve pain andinflammation. A selection of therapeutic herbs, includ-ing prai, ginger, turmeric and lemongrass, are wrapped ina muslin compress, steamed and then applied to the bodyin gentle pressing, circular and rolling movements.

In Thailand, the herbal compress is called luk pra kob,translated as “herbal pressing sphere.” To make the com-

press, a combination of healingherbs is bundled together inaccordance with ancient recipes,steamed and placed directly onthe skin to soothe muscularaches and swelling.

The popularity that theseherbal compresses have longenjoyed was mainly due to theireasy adaptability—the treat-ment is neither expensive norcomplicated, yet effective. For

this reason, it has the power to transcend social barriers.In ancient times it was used by Thai royalty in elaboratetreatments and by soldiers for aches and pains after return-ing from battle.

Some scholars believe that herbal compress massagewas first introduced to Thailand by monks from India,

R e p r i n t e d f r o m M A S S A G E M a g a z i n e J u n e 2 0 0 7 w w w. m a s s a g e m a g . c o m

The Thai HerbalCompressTechnique

Healing from Thailandby Kamala Thiagarajan

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MASSAGE magazine

R e p r i n t e d f r o m M A S S A G E M a g a z i n e J u n e 2 0 0 7w w w. m a s s a g e m a g . c o mR e p r i n t e d f r o m M A S S A G E M a g a z i n e J u n e 2 0 0 7 w w w. m a s s a g e m a g . c o m

MASSAGE magazine

who established the first Buddhist monasteries in Thailandaround 200 B.C. Others believe it originated from rural folkmedicine and was passed on by word of mouth through anunbroken chain of masters, or through secret manuscriptsthat changed hands from teacher to student.

Herbal compress therapy retains its popularity in Thai-land and is offered throughout the country—fromstorefront massage establishments to high-end spas to theTraditional Thai Massage School in the temple of Wat Phoin Bangkok.

The technique moves WestThai medicine experts say that knowledge of herbal com-

presses made its way to the West by practitioners whotraveled to schools, such as the Old Medicine Hospital inChang Mai and Wat Po in Bangkok, and studied the art di-rectly from Thai masters.

In the United States, where an herbal compress is sometimesreferred to as an herbal stem or herbal ball, an increasing num-ber of spas and individual therapists are offering the treatmentto their clientele.

Spa Esmeralda in Indian Wells, California, introduced theherbal compress treatment in 2006 and it was an instant hit

with guests, says the spa’s director, Kim Cadra. “I had experienced the service when I was visiting Thai-

land a few years ago,” she says. “I found it to be an amazingexperience. You will feel both intensely relaxed and ener-gized by this restorative treatment.”

Hot stone therapy has established the popularity andbenefits of thermal therapy, according to Tom Wellman,President of Sabai Spa Products, a company based in Tama-rac, Florida, that imports Thai herbal compresses to theUnited States.

“The herbal ball allows you to provide aromatherapy, ther-mal therapy and herbal therapy all at once in a modality thatis new and unique,” he says. “I firmly believe that once thisproduct is widely available and direct experience has grown,herbal ball therapy will become a highly requested treatment,much like hot stone therapy is now.”

The rising popularity of the Thai herbal compress is cred-ited to its perception by clients as a wholesome, completetreatment.

“I chose the Thai herbal massage for lower back pain andbecause I like the way it warms up my muscles during amassage,” says Mindy Cohen, 46, services manager at theSpa at Pebble Beach in Pacific Grove, California. “It is acomplete experience, with the scent of the herbs and thefeel of the warm compresses.”

After a session with Thai herbal compresses, she adds,her body feels more flexible and energetically balanced.

“Thai herbal massage is gaining popularity with theworld-class spas we work with,” says Tara Grodjesk, presi-dent of Tara Spa Therapy, a company that trains massagetherapists in various healing modalities. “The compressesare basically steamed and used to penetrate [the skin]through moist heat therapy with herbal benefits.”

Benefits of the technique The Thai herbal compress technique offers several po-

tential health benefits: It induces deep relaxation, relievesstress and fatigue, boosts both emotional and physical well-being, assists alignment and postural integrity of the body,improves circulation of blood and lymph and stimulates theinternal organs.

“As the pores open and allow the herbs to take effect, ail-ments such as stiff, sore or pulled muscles and ligaments,back pain, migraines, stress and anxiety are almost instantlyrelieved,” says Prin Prakittiphoom, marketing manager atMSpa International, a spa-management company inBangkok.

The hot compresses are ideal for alleviating pain, stiff,sore or pulled muscles and ligaments, chronic back aches,arthritis, even skin conditions, migraines and chronic stress

or anxiety. The blend of traditional Thai herbs used in thesecompresses has a relaxing and invigorating effect on the bodyand mind, soothing sore and overworked muscles while giv-ing the body’s energy reserves a huge boost.

The compress traditionally consists of a mixture of sev-eral herbs, most containing the six basic herbs as a base:lemongrass, prai (or plai), turmeric, kaffir lime, camphorand tamarind.

“These herbs possess properties that are anti-inflamma-tory, antiseptic, astringent and antioxidant,” says JohnRasch, a massage therapist in Boulder, Colorado. “They areused to [address] sprains, bruises and sore muscles, cleanseand heal the skin by promoting cell growth, and [aid] upperrespiratory ailments such as bronchitis, asthma and the com-mon cold.”

Camille Western, director of the Thaiyurveda Institute,which trains therapists in Thai techniques, says, “There aretraditional blends that can be used on all clients, but[blends] can also be customized to [address] specific

conditions… such as colds, sinuscongestion and headaches.”

For example, she says, a compresscould contain eucalyptus, pepper-mint, cloves or camphor to relievesinus congestion.

The technique’s application

“A typical session using herbalcompress application is an integralpart of the Thai discipline of hottherapy,” Western says, although thecompress can also be used cold.

One of the more traditional waysto warm up the compresses is to usea bamboo steamer. An electricsteamer can also be used. Raschsteams the herbal compress with asimple rice cooker fitted with asteaming rack.

Therapists should always havetwo compresses ready for use: Oneis placed on the heat source, whilethe other is applied to the client.

“The heat can be turned up ordown depending how hot the clientlikes it,” says massage therapist Gisela Di Carlo, who alsodistributes Thai compresses in the United States, “but the[compresses] are always just hot enough to touch themcomfortably.”

After one compress starts to cool, Western trades it forthe hot one. “Simply apply the compress to the site andpress gently with your palm,” she says. “The compress canbe set aside to cool if the client is sensitive to the heat. Itcan be used over the person’s clothing to give that addi-tional layer of protection from the heat.”

Steaming releases the aroma and medicinal properties ofthe compress, according to Di Carlo.

Western says that some therapists begin a session withthe compresses as a way to stimulate the sen lines (meridi-ans in Chinese medicine) and soothe and prepare the jointsand muscles before massage.

“Another idea is to use the compresses as heated pillows,as a prop for the client’s neck, head or the backs of the knees.”

Therapists may also wish to leave a compress at an acu-pressure point in order to stimulate the energy flowthroughout the body, Western adds. To do this, they sim-ply apply the compress to the site and press gently withtheir palm.

Di Carlo also owns Safari Spa inMilford, Philadelphia. Her 70-minuteLok Pra Koh massage is part of the spa’sThai Wellness treatment package.

“We make our [compresses] in Thai-land, [following] an old recipe forbruising, detoxification and pain relief,”she says. “We also make small coconut[compresses] for the face. They trulyeliminate small lines and leave the faceglowing and younger looking.”

Thai herbal compresses can also beapplied cold. The compresses are firstheated for 10 to 15 minutes to releasethe beneficial alkaloids in the herbs, andthen frozen or iced.

“Cold compresses are recommendedfor clients with muscle strains, tendonor ligament sprains, contusions,hematomas and more severe injuries re-quiring cold therapy,” says RoxaneNarigi, a massage therapist who runsBalanced Body Works studio in Salinas,California.

“Cold compresses help to reduceswelling and pain and can promote dis-sipation of pooled stagnant energy due

to broken sen [energy meridian] lines. [They] should be ap-plied only to the site [of ] the injury and should bemonitored while the practitioner massages other areas ofthe body.”

Client satisfactionRasch says the Thai herbal compress technique is popular

with his clients. And according to Wellman, the customercan be given the compresses after the session, which pro-motes word-of-mouth advertising and assists therapists inattracting more clients. The compresses can be heated in asteamer or microwave for use twice more at home.

Today’s massage client wants a choice in techniques.Thai herbal compress therapy, whether offered in a spaor in private practice, is a new and effective way for mas-sage therapists to provide clients with a variety of healingbenefits.

Kamala Thiagarajan is a freelance journalist in Madurai,South India. She writes about health and fitness, alternativetherapy and esoteric healing, and has been published in sixcountries.

Compresses can be either hot or cold,depending upon the client's preference

and/or area in need of therapy.

The hot compressesalleviate pain, stiff,

sore or pulled musclesand ligaments,

chronic back achesand arthritis.