Everyone, at least most people knows that massages can be therapeutic. What many may however not know is that there are quite several classifications when it comes to massages. These different types of massages offer certain advantages in some areas over others.
In this article, we want to briefly look at one particular type of massage therapy – Thai massage. Since we won’t be discussing the many other different types here, you can learn about them in this article.
What is a Thai Massage?
This is a healing therapy that has been practiced by the Thais for centuries. This type of massage therapy, which is thought to have been in use for over 2500 years, aims to restore body balance through a combination of assisted yoga stretches and acupressure. We are simply talking about a therapy built around the Ayurvedic principles.
It does not involve the use of oils and the patient remains fully clothed for the procedure. The therapist achieves deep relaxation and relief from muscle tension and physical discomfort by using their hands, knees, elbows, and feet to apply pressure on specific points in the body. There will also be assisted stretches that add to the entire therapy procedure.
How Does it Work?
If you hear the term Thai Yoga Massage or Nuad Thai, they refer to the same thing. Like the Chinese who believe that there are energy pathways in the body, the Thais also have the Sen lines which are similar to these pathways.
The massage aims to stimulate the flow of energy along these lines by releasing blockages. This is achieved by the application of rhythmic pressure focused along these lines in combination with some passive stretching moves.
Thai massage doesn’t simply focus on the manipulation of soft tissues but combines joint mobilization, assisted stretching, and deep compression. These make it more effective than many basic massage techniques that many therapists use.
How Does Thai Massage Therapy Relieve Muscle Tension?
Before we can look at how Thai massage relieves muscle tension and promotes relaxation, we must understand the factors that cause muscle tension. Several factors can cause muscle tension and these include physical exertion, poor posture, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Thai massage addresses these factors through:
1. Stimulation of the Sen Lines
We already mentioned the Sen lines, or energy pathways above. Thai medicine practitioners believe that these lines carry life energy which they call “lom”. Ideally, these pathways should be free of obstructions so that this energy can flow freely.
If there is a block, the individual experiences discomfort. To remedy this, pressure is applied along these lines to both free up blocked regions and release any energy build-ups at the points of blockage.
2 Rhythmic Compressions and Deep Pressure
The goal of this technique is to improve blood circulation which in turn enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the different parts of the body. To achieve this, the therapist will apply pressure to areas where the muscles are tight and sore. This pressure is deep and sustained.
Depending on the area where the affected muscles are located, the therapist can apply this pressure using their thumbs, elbows, palms, and even their feet. When this procedure is carried out by professionals like those you will find at goldenthaimassage.ca, it relaxes the muscles, reducing stiffness and releasing built-up tension. This alone is worth the therapy for many.
3 Assisted Stretching for Increased Flexibility
During the therapy sessions, the therapist will gently move the patient into various positions, much like the ones you see in yoga. This is why some folks refer to it as lazy yoga since you’re being assisted into those positions.
As these assisted stretches occur, tight muscles are lengthened, thus preventing stiffness that could have reduced your range of motion. The stretches also make for better joint mobility which in turn leads to increased flexibility. This is particularly helpful for individuals who have to be stationary for hours and those involved in sports.
How Does it Promote Relaxation?
Another important benefit of Thai massage is its ability to bring about deep relaxation as well as mental calm. Let’s break it down so we can understand how it achieves this.
Stimulation of the Parasympathetic Nervous System
There’s a system in your body known as PNS (Parasympathetic Nervous System). This system coordinates rest in the body. As the therapist slowly and rhythmically applies pressure across your body, while you take in deep breaths, this system is stimulated. The stimulation of this system brings down the levels of stress hormones, slows down your heart rate, and decreases blood pressure. This brings about a deep sense of relaxation.
Release of Endorphins
In addition to the reduction of the stress hormone, cortisol, the massage process stimulates the release of endorphins, which are known as the natural painkillers and mood enhancers of the body. So, on the one hand, the routine results in the reduction of stress hormones while on the other hand, it promotes the release of painkilling and mood-enhancing hormones.
The entire Thai massage experience can almost be described as being akin to a spiritual one. The combination of rhythmic movement and deep, synchronized breathing by both the therapist and the patient, creates a meditative aura that is deeply calming, highly rejuvenating, and therapeutic.
All of these benefits show why a lot of people go for this type of massage therapy. For more benefits of Thai massage therapy, you can check out this link.
Conclusion
The demands of everyday life are not getting any easier. With the fast pace of life today, which threatens to get even faster, it is important that we find time to decompress, relieve stress, and rejuvenate so we can remain active and able to operate at the highest levels.
While there are several ways to achieve this, we’ve discussed one way that this can be achieved – Thai massage therapy. We’ve explained what it means and how it is done. We’ve also looked at the benefits that you can get from it.
With all of this information at your disposal, you now know why you should go for this therapy. The only thing we will add at this point is that you should ensure that you get this therapy from the right source. This is important because only then can you expect to enjoy its full benefits.
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