Thai Medicine Theory Course (by Pierce Salguero)

Taught by C. Pierce Salguero

This is the only course of its kind anywhere in the world. It is based on current academic research into Thai medical history and practice, and is the most comprehensive course on Thai medicine available at any school. The material covered in this course is equivalent to a college-level course on Thai medicine. (Minus the homework, that is!)

Thai medicine is an ancient and complex healing tradition, and traditional physicians (mo boran) go through a 4-year training program. This course will introduce students to this entire medical system — not as a spa therapy, but as a serious medical discipline. Throughout the class, we treat Thai medicine on its own terms. Some Thai medicine is rooted in Ayurvedic tradition, but it is not interchangeable with Indian medicine. It is also quite separate from Chinese medicine. This course will explore Thai medicine for the indigenous cultural heritage it is, and will open up for participants a whole new vista onto the complexity and depth of the Thai tradition.

The course will focus on the theory and practice of three branches of Thai medicine:

Thai herbal medicine. In this part of the course, we will learn Thai Four Element theory, traditional methods of client assessment, and other basic theories of traditional Thai medicine.
Thai therapeutic massage. Students will learn how a Thai therapist treats diseases and disorders by working on the sen to correct imbalances of the four elements. We will take an in-depth look at the theoretical underpinnings of the system of meridians and acupressure points, as well as the customization of therapeutic massage routines for specific disorders bas end on sen principles.
Thai spiritual healing, is also covered in this course. We will introduce students to Theravada Buddhism and traditional Thai animism, the two dominant religious traditions of Thailand, as well as a range of healing practices associated with each practiced in traditional Thailand.
In addition to the clinical components, we also will survey the current academic research into Thai medicine. This part of this class will focus in-depth on Thai medical philosophy, its historical evolution out of Buddhist ideas, its Indian and Chinese influences, and its application in modern Thailand by folk and Ayurvedic doctors.

This course is accepted by NCBTMB for 40 continuing education hours.

Pre-requisites: Because of the varied curriculum for this class, there will be pre-requisites, but these are determined by the school hosting the course. Please contact the host for further information.

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