Thai massage is a traditional therapy that combines acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles and assisted yoga postures. It is a unique form of massage that is different from the usual Western massage styles. It is performed on a mat, allowing the customer a more complete range of motion. The masseuse uses her hands, fists, forearms, elbows, legs and feet to initiate deep stretches of the client's arms, legs, hips and shoulders.
Thai massage is also known as the 'yoga of the lazy man' due to its stretching techniques. It is believed to have healing properties both emotionally and physically. A study showed that nine sessions of traditional Thai massage over a 3-week period can reduce headaches in people who have chronic tension headaches or migraines. However, pregnant women in the first trimester should avoid massages as it can cause a spontaneous abortion.
The Department for the Development of Traditional and Alternative Thai Medicine of the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand regulates traditional Thai massage centers and professionals. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of Thai massage and how it differs from other massage techniques.
