Understanding the Thai Style of Massage Therapy

A stressful lifestyle is often the cause of premature health complications that are frequently observed in adults. Although there are some spa treatments that are designed to provide rejuvenating therapies for stressed people, the overall well being is yet to be addressed by those traditional methods. Good thing there is the Thai Yoga massage that aims to give a unique soothing experience to spa regulars.

Originally a method in alternative Thai medicine, the Thai massage is now widely being practiced as a style in spa treatment that incorporates some stretching and yoga movements. It works in a manner wherein the client's body is summoned to the rhythmic movements of the massage therapist, using the latter's hands and feet to stretch and press the Sen lines of the body. Unlike the traditional Western spa treatments, this Asian massage style does not use oil. The client is rather dressed with loose clothes that allow for comfortable movements. The effects that are usually observed by the clients include the release of body tensions as well as the overall energizing feeling caused by the massaged sen lines.

In a typical spa setting, the Thai Yoga massage is performed on a sturdy surface padded with a mat. The client will usually lie down on the mat while waiting for the masseuse/masseur to perform stretching, acupressure, yoga movements and reflexology on the body. In saying this, the massage therapist might also include the use of his/her arms, elbows and feet to execute energizing yet soothing exercise-like movements on the client. The therapist would usually work first on the client's feet, moving up to the head. The client may experience being arched and pulled in various ways. Aside from these stretching movements, the therapist also walks on the client's back. All these are performed in a full session of the massage therapy, which basically lasts for at least two hours.

Contrary to the initial reactions to this style of spa massage, the Thai treatment involves no pain. The therapist is skillfully trained in kneading and pulling the important parts of the body without causing undue discomfort to the client. So unless the client has a complicated health condition-like with the case of pregnant women or people with heart diseases-he or she can undergo a Thai-style massage treatment.

There are some advantages of Thai Yoga massage that are usually not observed in most Western styles. With conventional massage therapies, the clients may only experience the physical effect, which is the release of the muscle tensions. However, with Thai Yoga massage, they are given not only the much-needed physical relief, but also some psychological benefits. Aside from giving the clients the advantages of increased blood circulation and muscle toning, this massage style also proves to be effective in dealing with psychological stress.

The Thai style of massage therapy generally revolves in a mixture of Chinese and Indian therapeutical procedures, which is basically the reason why it tend to possess "healing powers" that are reminiscent to yoga. Most clients of this massage style are said to experience a release from anxiety as well as mental clarity.

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