thai massage

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Thai massage or Thai yoga massage, which originated in India, has been around for over 2,500 years. Originally regarded as a healing art, traditional Thai massage includes influences from both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, combining acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures. It is also inspired by Buddhist teachings. Thai massage looks like a cross between acupressure, yoga and zen shiatsu.

Unlike Swedish or typical Western style massages, it doesn’t involve lying on a massage table while a massage therapist applies lotion or oil to the body and manipulates the soft tissue and pressure points. 

Instead, you lie fully clothed on a mat on the ground while a practitioner uses compression, stretching, pulling, and rocking techniques to relieve tension, promote relaxation, and improve flexibility and circulation.  The massage consists of slow, rhythmic compressions and stretches along the body's energy lines,  called sen. Over 70,000 sen are said to exist within the body, and Thai massage concentrates on applying pressure along 10 of the most important sen, using the palms of the hands, thumbs, elbows, and feet. The effort from the practitioner works to free tension within the body. Practitioners also position the body into yoga-like poses and gently rock the body to open the joints and facilitate limbering.Sometimes referred to as assisted yoga, Thai massage is focused on improving the flow of energy throughout your body. One of the most important principles of Thai massage is the continuous flow of sequential movements that prepares the client for the next step in the massage. The practitioner is always aware of his position so that an uninterrupted slow rhythm is maintained. Deep, sustained pressure ensures that the myofascia, or the muscle's connective tissue, soften and relax in order to release the flow of energy along the sen, and to prepare the client for the large-scale stretches that follow.

There are two styles of practice, Northern (Chiangmai ) and Southern (Bangkok). The former is considered gentler. The latter is faster and sometimes more intense. The Southern style is more widely used in Thailand, while the Northern style has become popular in the united States.

Among many other benefits, Thai massage relieves  headaches, eases back pain, increases mobility and flexibility, reduces pain, stiffness and inflammation the muscles and joints, eases anxiety and revives energy.

While some of the pressure techniques used in Thai massage may seem too penetrating to many, most can adjust to it quickly. For those who are frail or stiff, a skilled practitioner will be able to adjust all of the soft tissue and manipulation work to their level of comfort.