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