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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Massage Therapy - Ensuring That You Have Great Health

Our daily lives are filled with lots of stress and exposure to pollutants of all sorts. This makes us very prone to a variety of ailments. The average person also finds himself too busy to enjoy the fruits of his labors because he suffers from a lot of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. If you feel that your health and fitness levels are not what they should be and that you suffer from a lot of stress, then it is time for you to experience the benefits of massage therapy.

A massage is more than a way to relax yourself. It certainly is a great way to get relaxed because an experienced therapist can soothe a lot of your aches and pains away. This particular treatment works by stimulating your blood circulation while giving your muscles a great workout. The movement of the therapist's hands over your body in a particular pattern aids your blood circulation considerably. This helps to bring nutrition and oxygen to your muscles and to remove toxins that have been accumulated there.

The most immediate response you feel is indeed relaxation, but there are plenty of health benefits as well. For instance, your anxiety levels will reduce by a considerable extent as a result of this treatment. This can help regulate your blood pressure and bring it to a normal level. Your heart rate will also be at the normal level immediately after the session is over. Your body releases fewer stress hormones as a result of this treatment.

If you suffer from musculoskeletal problems that cause you a lot of pain, you will benefit greatly from taking a massage. An experienced therapist can give you excellent pain relief after each session. The pain relief will not be permanent but it certainly is welcome when you are in agony.

Your metabolic rate increases after each session. This helps you to burn more calories than you otherwise would. People who get massages often tend to be very fit and slim due to this reason. Apart from making them look better, this also gives them freedom from diabetes and obesity. Your body also releases serotonin and endorphins which help to elevate your mood. In fact, you can easily fight depression if you are massaged regularly. This positive outlook on life gives you the ability to fight diseases better. You therefore tend to be disease free if you are massaged often.

Being massaged regularly help you to sleep better. The very fact that your body gets plenty of much needed rest helps it to have better immunity. You will be very pleased to see that your chronic health problems reduce just because you get massaged often.

There are many people who can offer you massaged. However you should make your choice carefully and based upon the kind if treatment you need because you might not get the desired effect if you use the wrong method. If done correctly, a massage can help you enjoy great health.

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Why It's Important for Massage Therapists to Choose a Specialty

When massage therapists finish school and begin working, they might not immediately think of developing their skills for a niche market - after all, massage school is just the beginning, and you learn some of your most invaluable skills on the job! While most massage therapists focus on perfecting their Swedish and deep-tissue skills before moving on to advanced modalities, it is always a good idea to continue to think about how you want to develop your massage career. This way, you can take the classes and training necessary to develop your specialty early on.

Making the Most out of Continuing Education

Throughout the nation, massage therapists must abide by a professional licensing code that requires continuing education in areas such as communicable diseases, CPR training, ethics, and general education. While many massage therapists take the minimum number of courses, or pick available courses close to home that are convenient or inexpensive, it is important to take advantage of this educational opportunity, and pick classes ahead of time that align with your specific interests.

For example, students who have considered furthering their massage career within Reiki, neuromuscular massage therapy (NMT), or medical massage should consider that these modalities require several lengthy and in-depth courses, and can take several months, or years to fully complete. And while the process toward this type of certification is indeed more time consuming than, for example, a weekend class in hot stone technique, it is a step toward a worthwhile skill that not only boosts a resume, but also brings in new clients, helps massage therapists market themselves more effectively, and lays the groundwork for a lengthy and profitable massage career.

Start by browsing different continuing education options offered at schools in your immediate area, as well as regionally. Educate yourself about the time requirements, cost, and specific details about each modality, and truly consider what it takes to become a seasoned professional in that field. This way, you can maximize your time and money on required continuing education courses.

Sports Massage, Reiki, Pregnancy Massage, and More

When you envision yourself working as a massage therapist several years down the line - where do you see yourself working? In a chiropractor's office? For a ballet troupe, football team, or running club? Maybe in a holistic center, spa, or independent practice? Every massage therapist enters the profession for various reasons, and it is important to understand what excites and motivates you about a massage career. Some massage therapists are particularly athletic or interested in sports, and it is this type of therapist who is most often attracted to sports massage. Therapists who enter this practice often work with athletes before, during, and after sports events to prevent injuries, and to treat existing injuries.

Medical massage encompasses several techniques, and can include sports massage, craniosacral therapy, and NMT. Medical massage and its associated practices are often performed by therapists with an interest in injury treatment and prevention as a full time massage career. Other massage therapists gravitate toward energy healing, such as Reiki, which is purported to create a healing effect physically, mentally, and spiritually. Therapists who hold an interest in Reiki may also be interested in acupressure, or aromatherapy. Therapists who wish to expand their practice to accommodate pregnant clients may be interested in becoming certified in pregnancy massage, which enables massage therapists to understand and perform a medically appropriate massage for a mother-to-be.

Whatever your interest for a long-term massage career, there are continuing education training courses available to further your chosen specialty. Again, think about why you want to pursue a specific specialty, and what you think it will give back to you and your clients. Do you see yourself utilizing the specialty skills for years with your clients? If so, carefully consider with whom you will spend your time and money. Find the right program and begin another educational journey. You and your clients will benefit from your endeavors as you pursue your preferred niche in the vast world of advanced massage education.

Certification and Training

Finally, sometimes continuing education classes and experience aren't the only thing massage therapists need to practice a specialty in the field. Check with your state licensing board to ensure you have met the minimum credit hours for a special modality. To date, there is no licensing body for Reiki, but it is required to have achieved a "Level III" status in order to promote yourself as a Reiki master in your massage career.

Likewise, pregnancy massage is not governed by an accredited body, but most continuing education providers will not issue a certification until the student has completed a minimum number of credit hours, typically supported by graded exams, practical sessions, and homework. For certification in neuromuscular therapy massage as a career, massage therapists must take continuing education courses, schedule and sit for an exam, and receive a score evidencing competency in the field. The school or instructor of an advanced massage therapy specialty should be able to explain any applicable certification requirements.

Finding a specialty is an excellent step for massage therapists in their long term career, as it not only enables them to become well educated and better able to treat clients, but exposes the therapist to a whole new field of massage, and its benefits. So if you're considering developing a specialty, do your research, ask questions, and have fun learning about how you can further your massage career while helping your clients.

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