Thousands of students from around the world study at Wat Pho and subsequently go on to find or work in massage, spa and wellness centres in many countries. "Nuat boran" is the Thai name for a type of body work native to Thailand (nuat = massage, boran = ancient). Thai massage is also known as northern-style Thai massage, "nuad paan bulan", "nuat thai", Buntautuk style, Old Medicine Hospital Style, traditional Thai massage, Traditional Thai Medical Massage, Ancient Massage, Thai Yoga, Thai Yoga Massage, Yoga Massage, Thai Classical Massage, and Thai Bodywork Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, Thai massage was performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine.