Welcome to
Hammock Wellness Centre Massage Clinic.
The following articles are for the hungry spirits of knowledge
who seek to learn and understand more about our
Massage Therapy & Bodywork Services
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Traditional Thai Massage (Nuad Boran)
Brief history and philosophy
Thai Massage (Nuat Thai) is an ancient healing massage ( Nuat Phaen Boran ) that has existed more than 2.500 years. It is part of Thai Traditional Medicine, and is included in the field of physical health care in Thailand and beyond. The origins of Thai massage also reach out to India and China through the ancient Chinese massage techniques, and the Indian life force theory. Yet, these therapeutic techniques were discovered when the Thai people lived in those countries. This therapeutic and spiritual knowledge has been granted to us by monks who never stopped sharing and expanding their wisdom.
The heart of Thai Massage is based on the Sen Sib Theory.
The "Sen Sib" are ten life energy channels (lines) that are used in Thai massage to remove blockages that obstruct the energy flow. The Sen Sib are wind channels, and it is believed that whenever we experience illness there is a blockage in the Sen Sib channel. The 10 Sen Sib cover the entire human body and all of them find their origin around the naval area of the body. Each Sen Sib relates to various symptoms, that can be treated exclusively on one or more Sen Sib. Thus, in the past Thai Massage was only used for therapeutic purposes. However, as our society progressed, the techniques of Thai massage have evolved and came to meet the needs of the people in modern societies, making Thai massage an extremely suitable way to sustain our total well-being, bring balance and free the flow of energy within.
There is a misconception that Thai massage is painful. When you receive massage from a certified and experienced therapist, he or she is obliged to adjust the pressure of application according to your feedback, but also your needs. On the other hand, when releasing a blockage or else a "muscle knot" or energy block, some discomfort may be inevitable. This should certainly not happen due to an inappropriate use of strength or technique from the practitioner. Building trust with your Therapist is key, so always make sure you always communicate how you feel.
A full body Thai massage is traditionally practiced on a floor mattress. One difference of Thai Massage to other types of massage, is that there is no use of oils, therefore the massage is done with comfortable clothes on.
Overall, a complete traditional full body Thai massage session includes dry pressure points along the Sen Sib lines, Thai stretching or else Thai yoga ( if necessary/desired ), and energy massage or else touch massage which translates to a spiritual formation of a love relationship through an exchange of tenderness and care between giver and receiver! Movement and Stretching in Thai Massage can be from basic level to advanced depending on the physical capacity of the receiver. On some occasions there is more assisted movement in a session than others, and Thai Massage is more of an active session than a passive one as regulated and mindful breathing is essential for the practice to unfold and provide all its healing properties to the receiver.
An active yet effortless escape, worth investing in for a healthier and lighter life.
Traditional Thai Massage & Thai Yoga Massage can be booked with Elina, the owner/founder of Hammock, and Certified Teacher of Thai Massage, or with Tina, certified Thai Massage Practitioner through our bookings page
Thank you for reading!
Thai Massage Benefits
Natural Healing
Thai Massage Benefits
In addition to it's history, therapeutic qualities, and methodology, Thai Massage thrives due to it's rich and effective benefits. All of these precious benefits also depend on how much you immerse yourself in the therapy too. By breathing deeply and correctly like you will be advised to, you can really let go, and allow the healing to happen.
Natural healing with prana, stimulates blood circulation, removes toxins, releases muscle tension, strengthens muscles and bones, releases stress, releases blockages, relieves pain, improves respiratory/digestive/nervous system, helps with insomnia, it is anti-depressant, and it truly rejuvenates your whole being. In a few words, it is the ultimate way to heal, and enter a state of deep relaxation.
Another way to make sure you will achieve the most of your sessions, is to make sure you work with a Therapist that cares for your well being.
Thai Foot Massage & Reflexology
Balance Your Chi
Thai Foot Reflexology application is performed with manual pressure, and wooden stick strokes on certain points of the sole and dorsal of the foot, which correspond, and stimulate internal organs and some muscle groups. You may choose the 1 hour ritual or the longer 90 minute ritual that will also incorporate hand/
With the help of deep foot massage, the benefits of foot reflexology are realistically amazing. This traditional ritual is one of the most lade back therapies to go for as you remain completely passive! It's equally suitable for those who work with their legs a lot, stand for long hours, or sit long hours at work.
A professional Thai reflexology session improves blood circulation, boosts the immune system, releases stress, promotes better sleep, it flashes out the toxins from your body, and sets the path for a totally tranquil journey of well being.
Whats very important to accommodate detoxication with Reflexology is hydration during and after the treatment. A high quality herbal tea is always offered complementary with your treatment, and it is always advised to continue to drink herbal tea in bigger amounts than usual for the next 24 hours.
Herbal Compress Massage
A Traditional Thai Herbal Medicine Method
A Herbal Compress is a cloth packed with the finest selection of local dried and fresh herbs. It is steamed prior and during massage to be squeezed on the receiver's body and help relax the muscles before receiving massage.
It is considered one of the most efficient way to achieve the ultimate relaxation of mind and body. You can receive a full body Herbal Compress Massage for full muscle relaxation or you can add Herbal Compresses to any therapy! Just give us a notice beforehand, and we will prepare it for you!
If you love them, and want to take them home with you, just pre-order them and we will have them ready! We love our herbs!
Tok-Sen
An ancient Thai healing technique to balance your Chi
What is it then?
Tok-Sen is an ancient healing massage technique that is even older than Thai Massage. It was used by Monks in Myanmmar, and found it's way to North Thailand. "Tok" means "tap" and "Sen" translates to "energy lines". Tapping a wooden hammer on a wooden wedge alongside the body's energy lines, (we have 72000 of them) creates deep and powerful vibrations on muscles, instantly releasing all muscle tension stored in big and small muscle groups, as well as stress trapped physically.
The rhythmic Tok-Sen Sound and Vibration is a form of Sound Therapy and Meditation...Tok-Sen vibrations mainly tackle the Nervous System and leads it to a calm & balanced state, which then helps the muscles naturally relax. Another balancing aspect of this practice is that with the careful tapping between bones, ligaments and muscles, the liquids in our system get dispersed and flow freely as the pathways of the "Sen" unblock.
I was trained for Tok-Sen under my Professional Teacher Training in Northern Thailand and in two other modality courses again in Northern Thailand. Since then, I have been incorporating it in many of my practices such as Hammock Fusion or Thai Yoga, mostly for it's physical benefits, as for it to reach the meditative state, it must be solely performed as a complete session. Gradually people started wondering what that is and started dropping in for Tok-Sen in no time.
Try this ancient healing technique and enjoy all its healing benefits! You can also combine it with other forms of Hammock ancient healing therapies such as your favorite Thai Yoga Massage or even Herbal Back Massage! Havr a look at our Service List and see where it is already incorporated or ask me where and how we can perform this practice !
What is Therapeutic Massage?
An Ancient Science
Therapeutic Massage is a direct and immediate approach to the area you feel discomfort and the areas it surrounds it, or linked to it, depending on which method we will use. The method we will use depends on how long you experience the discomfort for, if you have taken any action for it before your massage session, and whether or not you have been advised by your physician! When we gather all these information, then we can work on how to fix areas of pain, tension, or discomfort safely and effectively.
As a certified massage therapist, my skills allow to help with various body and psychosomatic conditions, such as, lower/upper back pain, headaches, tight shoulders, arm weakness, neck stiffness, leg pain, numbness, knee pain, abdominal imbalance, menstrual crumps, bad blood circulation, emotional imbalance, stress, anxiety, depression, sleeping patterns etc.
For example Thai Therapeutic Massage is applied by following a specific approach following the Sen Sib Theory to target specific ailments, which makes it a different approach to Thai Massage than what you may be used to. For example, when treating abdominal imbalance, we will work on other areas of the body which are related to the abdominal following Thai Medicine.
If you want to target a specific ailment, let's talk about what bothers you, and we will discuss and find the best way to accommodate your need or find alternative methods to do so. Your health is number one priority.
Gua Sha Body Therapy
Natural and Traditional Chinese Medical Healing
Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese therapy using scraping tools such as wooden spoons, sacred stones or buffalo horn stones on skin to remove stagnant energy known as Chi. The ancient healers believed that this stack energy is what causes inflammation and tension in our muscles causing stiffness and pain.Gua Sha is not a massage, it is a very different therapy than the rest, it can be intense the first and second time around, but It is combined with herbal oil for a smoother application. Gua Sha scraping method turns the skin quite red, this is the pain from the inside showing it's self on the outside! The level of redness depends on how problematic an area is, if you suffer from chronic pain on a specific area of the body then that area will become red much quicker than any other area.The marks from Gua Sha disappear in 3 days! Red skin for a few days is nothing when you compare it to how healthy it is for you!Gua Sha also helps to release unhealthy toxins, promote blood circulation and your skin will also thank you for it! If you consider yourself a true Health believer just go for it!This is a very delicate therapy, ask your therapist for a legitimate diploma as always! We go under so much for beauty these days, let's do the same thing for health! Health is beauty anyway!!!
Cupping Therapy & Medical Massage
A Chinese Medical Therapy
Cupping Therapy is an alternative Chinese Therapy used to create suction on the areas applied. The traditional method requires the application of fire (usually created with alcohol on a ball of cotton) but a more modern & effective version of air suction is now used with suction cupping therapy.
Cupping Therapy has the following benefits:
• It can release muscle tension/stiffness/pain where applied
• Decreases tendon inflammation
• Increase blood flow, promotes cell repair
• Releases unhealthy stored toxins
• Can fight cellulite lumps on all areas of the body
• Sedate the Nervous System
• Helps with fatigue and poor sleep
• Leaves you with a deep feeling of relaxation
In other words, the vacuum formed by Cupping draws up the old non-circulating stagnant blood and sticky fluids from the area, bringing them up to the surface so that healthy free circulation can be restored to the affected area, thus creating space for oxygen, living cells and nutrients for faster recovery.
Combined with medical massage on targeted areas the body is prepared for the deep suction to achieve the best result possible from this amazing and highly efficient treatment!. This service is one of the most popular services as the combination of deep Massage with herbal and therapeutic balms and oils elevate Cupping Therapy and take you on a euphoric journey.
It has become a personal favorite as well as I am always happy to watch th immediate effects on energy levels, and literally happy and recharged faces after the session has ended. This combination of Massage and Cupping Therapy is unbeatable. You can always ask for an extended version of this service to cover the entire body
Cranio Sacral Therapy &
Somato Emotional Release
Awaken your Inner-Physician
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system, which has been shown to improve the functioning of the central nervous system, as well as many other systems of the body, such as digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, and more. CST has also been shown to help with the physical components related to such somatic conditions as Post Traumatic Stress, depression and anxiety.
By facilitating the body's natural and innate healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and has been shown to be beneficial for people seeking help with a wide range of healthcare challenges and symptoms including:
• Migraines, Headaches
• Chronic Pain
• Motor-Coordination Impairments
•Central Nervous System Disorders
• Orthopedic Problems
• Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions
• Alzheimer's
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Scoliosis
• Conception, Pregnancy, Birth
• Pediatric Challenges
• Learning Differences, ADD, ADHD
• Autism and Sensory Processing
• Chronic Fatigue
• Emotional Difficulties, Depression
• Stress and Tension-Related Problems
• Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) and Dental Challenges
• Immune Disorders
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Post-Surgical Dysfunction
• Sleep Challenges
Somato Emotional Release : SomatoEmotional Release™ (SER) is a therapeutic process that uses and expands on the principles of CST to help a person rid their body of the residual effects of past injur SER facilitates a gentle process for releasing tissue memory, thereby helping the person to decrease the adverse effects of past traumas. There is vast research to show that a change in physical health is accompanied by a change in mental health, and it is equally documented that the reverse is apparent. SER is a holistic mind-body somatic approach that may also assist a person in gaining insight as to how that held trauma is influencing their physical and emotional health. SER can support the person transition from dysfunction and unresolved issues towards wellness and optimal function.
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Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
Boost your body's intelligent waste system
MLD is a gentle manual treatment focusing on draining the lymphatic system . The lymphatic system is extremely important as it cleanses our body from excess fluid, hormones, cellular waste, bacteria - it breaks down proteins and other cellular debris.
Unlike blood circulation, the lymph has no pump, and therefore the lymphatic system solely relies on physical movement, manual drainage, or hydrostatic pressure when obstructed.
MLD is a very specific and concise practice, not to be confused with other massage modalities.
Causes of lymph dysfunction:
Poor lifestyle, nutrition & lack of physical movement, however there are plenty of other reasons for poor lymphatic system :
- Cancer, and cancer treatments where lymph nodes have been removed
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- Filariasis
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- Vascular Surgery
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- Lipectomy
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- Deep Vein Thrombosis
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- Other health conditions
All of the above are reasons why the lymph system may be clogged and any treatment must firstly be approved by your physician
Symptoms & Results of poor lymphatic system most often treated with MLD
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Edema - swelling and building up of lymph, causing pain and stiffness
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Scar Tissue & Adhesions - the stagnant lymph hardens when stuck for a long time, affecting your range of motion
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Illness & Toxin Build Up - as waste is not properly drained, slowly breeding disease
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Low energy levels
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Fluid Retention / Cellulite / Weight gain
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Constipation & Bloating
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Skin Conditions like acne, rosacea
Deep Tissue Massage & Mobilization
Effectively untangle adhesions and release muscle tension
Manual Deep Tissue Mobilization is a physical therapy technique that is used to release tightness in muscles, fascia, ligaments and other soft tissue. If a muscle has been injured or is holding tension, due to poor posture, stress or illness, then adhesions can form. Adhesions are bands of painful, rigid tissue which can form in muscles, the tendons or ligaments and can lead to poor blood flow to the area as well as limitation of movement, leading to pain.
The purpose of the Advanced deep tissue massage is to release the muscle fibers that have become “stuck”, in order to remove toxins and to encourage blood to circulate again. It is important to note that clients should be referred to another professional such as an Osteopath, or a Physiotherapist if you suspect that there is a severe injury that warrants expert advice.
You may choose the 1 hour Deep Tissue and mobilization service that targets the back muscle tension release and upper/lower back mobilization, or you can choose the 90 minute session to experience the full body experience.
Clients with big muscle group, athletes, and taller/bigger clients may request a 2-hour session, simply contact us.
Free Flow Full Back Body Massage
A deep & slow muscle tension release
A deep and slow full back-side of back and and legs massage therapy, with herbal oils to relax the muscles, unwind, slow down the mind, to free and enhance the energy flow of some of the body's biggest meridians. These meridians get stagnated frequently due to prolonged hours in specific positions such as sitting or standing. Working on the 2 directions of the blood circulation system, we will slowly reawaken a healthy flow.
A great choice during or after a hectic and speedy day, where you have no other choice but to surrender into the opposite rhythm, a slower pace, and come back to a steady flow..
This is the best option if you don't want any kind of mobilization or kinesiology to be part of your back massage, so as to remain completely passive during your session. To deepen this practice, you may choose the Deep Tissue Massage Therapy.
Gua Sha Facial Therapy
The perfect combination of Beauty & Tradition!
Have you heard of the Chinese Gua Sha Facial Treatment??
Gua Sha Facial is a Chinese medical technique used by Asian men and women, to maintain the health of their skin, in the most natural way possible. Healing crystals such as Jade and Rose Quartz, are used for this treatment. Together with their healing qualities, and cold temperature, these crystal tools enhance Gua Sha benefits. When booking this treatment, expect to indulge into face massage, face cupping, and Gua Sha treatment.
BENEFITS:
•Promotes lymph drainage and blood circulation around the face and neck •Naturally releases toxins and congestion around the face area.
•Smoothens skin and reduces wrinkles
•Natural face lift
•Promotes health of tissue under the skin, making your skin more radiant and beautiful
•Sculpts your facial features
•Improves dark circles and bags under eyes
•Firms up facial muscles
•Lightens up spots and other skin discolorations
•Helps clear up acne, rosacea, and other skin diseases
•Very gentle and relaxing.
Your skin will thank you for it!
Professional Ethics
in Thai Massage
Please read if you have some extra time and/or if you wish to comprehend Thai Massage Therapy as a profession or if you are training to become a professional Thai Massage Therapist.
I want to share with you some of the Ethics of Professional Thai Massage that were passed to me by my precious Teachers and some of my own values which are the core of my practice. Hard as it is to practice this on a daily basis in the Western World, it is possible and 100% doable. Some people perceive Massage Therapy as a way to spend money, a luxury service for the dew, a constant question whether the Therapist really is meant to do this, and if they really do it with an honest heart.
I often forget the ethics of Thai Massage because they have been rooted naturally in my practice since day 1, andI have never stepped away from ithem since my journey began. Do you know why? Because one of the most substantial ethical factors of being a genuine Massage Therapist is the invincible Oath that Massage Therapists make to themselves the first days of their practice. This is to accept that our knowledge can be of help, and what crime it would be to not share it. Of course, you may think otherwise since this is how Ethics are in Thailand, not here.
Some of the most important ethical guidelines are,
- Wellness and Equal Service to all. I have personally asked from some wealthy clients in the past, to have a break from receiving my service when I realized that others had priority over physical pain. This brings me to the next ethic.- You must not be greedy. In addition, you must maintain honesty, compassion, being part of the law and order. (Last is under question in this country but oh well, let's say law yes (sometimes) order no)
- Continue to improve knowledge and share knowledge simultaneously. I have taught and hosted multiple of trainings since the first time I wrote this text. I can tell you that it is still challenging to combine being fully active as a practitioner, a business owner/manager, a holistic online shop owner, and a Thai Massage Teacher. However, since last time I wrote this text, I have managed to break the circle of lack of growth professionally as a Massage Therapist n Cyprus as I now host trainings with some of the best Instructors from all over the world and make courses accessible to everyone. Of course, I will always continue to travel for more knowledge.
- Confidentiality: You all know we exchanged so much at our sessions. These are our moments! No one else's.
- Sex with different partners, drugs, alcohol, smoking, and gambling must not be involved in our practice. This is an extreme Asian perspective and it is our decision to see where we belong in it's restrictions, and to refrain from such desires.
- Don't practice in inappropriate places: I can go on and on about this, but I won't. I will just give you an example. Massages at music festivals where alcohol, drugs, and non hygienic conditions are in place is simply unethical and wrong.
- Co-operate with organizations. Try to be flexible and stay grounded when growing your business. You may deny collaborations when another organization does not practice and agrees with all of the above.
I thank you for reading
I wish you all to experience this ancient healing massage therapy under safe, ethical, effective, and polite hands, so as to exchange energy respectfully and gracefully.