| Thai massage has been practiced for several | | | | major source of circulation to an area will initially result |
| thousand years. It is one branch of Thai medicine, | | | | in increased pressure, which will cause the heart |
| which includes manipulation (of which massage is a | | | | muscle to slow its contractions in order to bring the |
| part), diet, medicinal treatment and ritual (spiritual | | | | pressure down. When the pressure on the artery is |
| ceremony). In Thailand it is used in conjunction with | | | | released a fresh supply of blood rushes into the area, |
| these other forms of treatment, although in other | | | | causing it to relax more deeply. This technique, |
| countries it may be used on its own.Thai massage is | | | | however, is not used on anyone with heart or |
| based on the belief that all disease is due to an | | | | circulatory problems or with diabetes.There is also a |
| imbalance of the body's energy. Its goal is to promote | | | | type of stretching used which is passive. This means |
| this balance and therefore assist in the healing of the | | | | that the client does not participate in the stretching; the |
| entire person. To do this, it uses several techniques.The | | | | therapist does all the work. Stretching is done in stages |
| first is the application of pressure through leaning into | | | | with rest periods between, working gradually up to as |
| the area being treated. This pressure is less forceful | | | | much range of motion as possible. It is also done |
| than that used in some other forms of massage and | | | | slowly to avoid the muscle shortening - or spasm - |
| more like the pressure used in shiatsu. Also like shiatsu, | | | | that can occur when a muscle is stretched too far, too |
| Thai massage uses pressure along energy channels. | | | | fast.The asanas, or postures, of hatha yoga are also |
| (called "sen" in Thailand, but more commonly known as | | | | included, to help the whole massage flow more |
| meridians - which is what they are called in Chinese | | | | smoothly. Like stretching, these are passive, performed |
| medicine). The major difference between the two is | | | | by the therapist.Thai massage techniques can be very |
| that Thai massage treats these channels in both | | | | time-consuming. A typical Thai massage is much |
| directions, while shiatsu moves in only one | | | | longer than a "regular" massage, lasting up to three |
| direction.Reflexology is also part of a Thai massage | | | | hours. Also, all Thai massage is done with the client |
| session. Reflexology is based on the belief that points | | | | lying on a floor mat; this is such an active massage for |
| on the feet can be use to treat the entire body. There | | | | the practitioner that a massage table would make it |
| is a lot of attention paid to the feet and legs in Thai | | | | difficult or impossible to perform some of the |
| massage, because getting energy moving in these | | | | techniques.The benefits of Thai massage include those |
| areas helps to better connect the client to the earth, | | | | of regular massage, like improved circulation, mobility |
| causing them to be more "grounded".Another | | | | and flexibility, as well as stress relief. But Thai massage |
| technique used is blood stopping. This is achieved by | | | | goes further; its more specialized techniques will help |
| putting pressure on a major artery in the arm or leg for | | | | promote balance of all the body's systems. If you are |
| an extended period of time - up to about a minute. | | | | looking for a more holistic approach to bodywork, Thai |
| The theory behind this technique is that cutting off a | | | | massage may be a good choice. |