Thai Massage - Origins, Techniques and Benefits

Thai massage has been practiced for severalmajor 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 amuscle to slow its contractions in order to bring the
part), diet, medicinal treatment and ritual (spiritualpressure down. When the pressure on the artery is
ceremony). In Thailand it is used in conjunction withreleased a fresh supply of blood rushes into the area,
these other forms of treatment, although in othercausing it to relax more deeply. This technique,
countries it may be used on its own.Thai massage ishowever, is not used on anyone with heart or
based on the belief that all disease is due to ancirculatory problems or with diabetes.There is also a
imbalance of the body's energy. Its goal is to promotetype of stretching used which is passive. This means
this balance and therefore assist in the healing of thethat the client does not participate in the stretching; the
entire person. To do this, it uses several techniques.Thetherapist does all the work. Stretching is done in stages
first is the application of pressure through leaning intowith rest periods between, working gradually up to as
the area being treated. This pressure is less forcefulmuch range of motion as possible. It is also done
than that used in some other forms of massage andslowly 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 asincluded, to help the whole massage flow more
meridians - which is what they are called in Chinesesmoothly. Like stretching, these are passive, performed
medicine). The major difference between the two isby the therapist.Thai massage techniques can be very
that Thai massage treats these channels in bothtime-consuming. A typical Thai massage is much
directions, while shiatsu moves in only onelonger than a "regular" massage, lasting up to three
direction.Reflexology is also part of a Thai massagehours. Also, all Thai massage is done with the client
session. Reflexology is based on the belief that pointslying on a floor mat; this is such an active massage for
on the feet can be use to treat the entire body. Therethe practitioner that a massage table would make it
is a lot of attention paid to the feet and legs in Thaidifficult or impossible to perform some of the
massage, because getting energy moving in thesetechniques.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".Anotherand flexibility, as well as stress relief. But Thai massage
technique used is blood stopping. This is achieved bygoes further; its more specialized techniques will help
putting pressure on a major artery in the arm or leg forpromote 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 amassage may be a good choice.