Thai massage is an ancient form of therapeutic touch that has been used for centuries in India and Thailand. It is a unique practice that differs from traditional massage in many ways, as it involves lying on a mat on the floor while the provider manipulates your body to stimulate your organs and improve flexibility.
Thai massage
is part of traditional Thai medicine and uses gentle pressure and stretching techniques to relax the entire body. This healing practice has its roots in the time of Buddha, dating back about 2,500-7,000 years ago.During a traditional Thai massage, practitioners use their hands, thumbs, elbows, forearms, and sometimes even feet to reduce tension in the muscles. It is also known as Thai yoga massage, since most of the stretches involved resemble yoga stretches. If your range of motion and flexibility are affecting your athletic performance or hampering your mobility, Thai massage can help you move more easily. Thai massage has become popular in many Western countries and has been found to be more effective in reducing stress in healthy people than simply resting.
It involves stretching and deep massages to align a person's energy with a certain output. It can help treat a wide range of psychological and physical ailments, such as stress and chronic pain, and is often used for rehabilitation and recovery after injury or certain illnesses. The first difference you'll notice between a Thai massage and classic Western styles is the lack of equipment. Instead of a massage table, you lie on a mat on the floor while the provider manipulates your body in certain ways to stimulate your organs and improve flexibility.
During a Thai massage, the masseuse moves around and above the client to access a wider range of angles in each part of the body, even in cases where the client is much larger than the masseuse. For example, in some cases, a Thai masseuse stands on the client's back and uses flexible feet instead of stiff forearms to knead the back muscles. Instead of using the Swedish masseuse's hands, fists, forearms and elbows, the Swedish masseuse's usual tools, the Thai masseuse can generally use her legs and feet during the massage. Recent research has revealed that Thai massage is associated with many health benefits, such as improved circulation, improved range of motion and reduced stress levels. It uses different techniques that open or restrict different Sen to correct the flow of vital energy.
People who have cancer, are pregnant, or are recovering from surgery should not have a Thai massage. Thai massage is an excellent ancient therapeutic art that can help improve muscle movement, increase circulation and mobilize joints. Clients usually start lying on their backs, while the therapist starts massaging the feet and continues to move the legs up, applying pressure with a rhythmic, oscillating motion with the palms of the hands and thumbs. Sarah Seely, RYT, CST, CTYMT - somatic healer, Thai massage therapist, teacher and founder of Thai Brooklyn - explains that this massage technique can help treat a wide range of psychological and physical ailments.
