What is the Tok sen massage?
The traditional Tok sen massage, born in the extreme north of Thailand, on the border between Laos and Cambodia, is part of the ancient medical tradition called Lanna-Thai and developed by Buddhist monks in ancient temples thousands of years ago.
The meaning of the term "cancel the path" but also "hit the paths" refers to the "cleanliness" that is performed through this particular massage, or to the elimination of what stagnates block the flow inside the Sen energy channels of the human body.
This massage has found its practical application even in rural areas, within the peasant families of northern Thailand, but not only: it was in fact practiced by rice-field workers, who returned home tired at night and needed to recharge their energy and restore vigor to the aching muscles.
How to perform the Tok sen massage
The Tok Sen massage uses two instruments: the wooden hammer, called Limb, and the wooden chisel, called Khone . Traditional legends would like the wood to come from trees struck by lightning, therefore elements and objects full of energy from heaven and earth . Without too much imagination, it is simply and more likely of tamarind tree wood.
It is practiced by expert hands, which strike the Sen, or the energy meridians of the Thai holistic vision, through micro percussion, going to eliminate the congested points and creating waves that can remove the blocks, like the waves of water.
In practice, the two pieces of wood are struck one on top of the other, then bounce directly on the body, dissolving tensions and muscular blockages.
However, there are various techniques, depending on the sensitivity of the performer and the needs of those receiving the massage. It is considered excellent when combined with traditional Thai massage, performed with PDAs, with thumbs and with the whole round of compressions. Contrary to what one might think, it is not a painful technique, the blows are not inflicted with force, but follow a slight movement of the wrist that creates these energy waves.
