Facts on Thai Massage
In Thailand, Thai massage is not just a relaxation technique. It been used in medicine to treat a range of sicknesses for over 2,500 years. It's been adapted by spas and fitness centers throughout the world and is a popular massage discipline. It can be an enjoyable modality for athletes looking to increase their mobility or for massage enthusiasts who want to try something new. Does this Spark an idea?
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Focus of Thai Massage
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Thai massage is an active massage discipline. The patient usually lies on floor mats, and the therapist will move around him. The therapist may use her hands, feet, knees, and elbows to manipulate the patient. While standard Swedish massage focuses on soothing strokes, Thai massage focuses on muscle stretching, deep compression and flexibility.
Breathing and Thai Massage
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Thai massage is similar to yoga in that many therapists will ask you to concentrate on your breathing throughout the session. The therapist may direct you to inhale or exhale at points throughout the session to increase your relaxation.
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What to Expect
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Wear comfortable clothing, as you will not remove your garments for the session. Expect the therapist to contort your body and perform range of motion exercises on your limbs. If the muscle stretching is too intense for you, be sure to speak up. The therapist will adjust her level of intensity to suit your needs.
Thai massage is not for everyone. If you have never had a massage before, talk to a therapist to see if Thai massage is right for you.
Standard Moves
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The therapist may stretch your chest while you are lying on your stomach. She will position herself at your back, grab your arms, and pull back so your chest lifts off the floor.
Another popular move is a hip stretch. This is performed with the client on her back. The therapist will place one of your legs on her thigh, and then slowly push it down her leg. This motion will rotate your hip and can be very pleasant, as these muscles do not get regularly stretched. Be sure to talk to your therapist if it feels uncomfortable or too intense.
Massage Therapists and Thai Massage
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Thai Massage is a specialty that requires extra training, and not all massage therapists know it. If you want to try a Thai massage, confirm that your therapist is knowledgeable about the modality. Many spas offer 30-, 60- or 90-minute sessions with a therapist that has received the proper instruction.
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