TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE IN ADDICTION CARE
Several sources highlight that TTM is an ancient Thai practice from 2500 years ago that promotes health and wellbeing. It is a unique whole body massage that incorporates some aspects of yoga, acupressure and deep stretching. One staff member at the hospital reiterated that the massage is done by a certified professional as part of complementary medicine.
Why Thai massage in addiction? A study by Tiffany Field and others revealed that there are positive effects of massage therapy in treatment of medical conditions and stress reduction. Moreover, Thai massage also has extensive benefits in addiction treatment. Thai massage has been documented to promote physical and mental well-being ensuring flexibility of muscles and reduction of anxiety.
Individuals who are in addiction recovery often have challenges with experience of withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms are often accompanied by excruciating pain and distressful mental and physical symptoms with sudden cessation of substances they are using. Thai massage relaxes the whole body and aid in provision of comfort in withdrawal. In fact, a study conducted by Chernchujit and Kalayashiri at the hospital in 2014 did show that TTM
can mitigate against the cravings of alcohol with previous studies highlighting the mitigation on cigarette smoking withdrawal.
Addiction impacts on the individual’s sleep patterns which consequently effect on the brain function and memory. TTM is therefore a perfect remedy as it provides the much needed sleep hygiene. Thai massage reduces feelings of anxiety and lowers stress thus there being an improved sleep and elevated mood.
It is important to recognise that indigenous methods of care can be integrated into mainstream health care. What is essential is to put them to clinical trials to ensure that they are safe as we observed with TTM.