Blog Title: Thai Massage

What is Thai Massage?

By Ramin Assemi

It involves lots of acupressure and stretching.

In traditional Thai medicine it is believed that there is a flow of energy (Thai people call it lom) that leads through the body. In a healthy body this flow of energy is balanced and harmonious. In a body that is struck by sickness the flow of energy is unbalanced, some areas have deficiencies.

Through the application of pressure on specific points (a principle that is similar to Chinese acupuncture points) the flow of energy can be changed and re-harmonized.

This is when healing occurs.

Thai massage also involves lots of "yoga like positions". In fact some people call Thai massage "yoga for lazy people" because as the recipient you will experience how the massage therapist will put your body in yoga positions without you having to exert any effort.

This is a very refreshing and vitalizing experience if done correctly.

A real Thai massage always takes place on the floor, never on a table. Because on the floor all the techniques can be practiced, which isn't possible on the table.

You will wear clothes during a Thai massage. This might be surprising to people who think that Thai massage is some kind of "erotic massage" - let me tell you, it is not. Although many brothels nowadays write "Thai massage" on the outside of their businesses, what they practice there is not real Thai massage.

Nowadays Thai-massage is a popular choice for experienced travellers all over the world, and almost every five-star hotel is offering Thai massages to it's customers in the spa.

There is an increase of interest in traditional Thai massage and traditional Thai medicine and it is fortunate that now more scientific studies are being done to examine the ancient knowledge that served medical practitioners for so many centuries.

There is a Massage Therapy Known As Thai Massage

By Carlos Montenegro

Thai massage was developed 2500 years ago by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha. It moved to Thailand soon after where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine and this is how it got the name.

What makes Thai massage different is the fact that it is more energizing and rigorous than other forms of massage.

In Thai massage the therapist will use his or her hands, knees, legs and feet to move you into a series of yoga like stretches. Aside from that, there is also muscle compression, joint mobilization and acupressure during the session.

When you have a Thai massage you will be told to lie on a padded mat that is already set on the floor. The therapist does the session using gently compression and stretching techniques to open the body starting with the legs then working their way up.

You don't have to take off your clothes but as much as possible, wear something comfortable. No oil is also used and most sessions may last for 1 to 2 hours long.

Unknown to many, Thai massage is a combination of other types of massage therapies. Part of it is reflexology because a lot of attention is paid to the feet and legs as this helps to better connect the person to the earth causing them to be "grounded."

Another is blood stopping where pressure is put on a major artery for about a minute. This will cause the heart muscle to slow its contractions and bring the pressure down. Once released, it will help the person relax more deeply. This technique however cannot be used on patients who have heart or circulatory problems and diabetes.

Thai massage is known to reduce stress, improve circulation, increase energy and flexibility, improve range of motion and centers the mind and body.

You cannot have a Thai massage if you have an infectious skin disease or open wounds, just underwent surgery or chemotherapy and are prone to blood clots. Pregnant women can have a Thai massage only after they get the green light from their doctor.

It is best to also have a light meal before going there so there will be no feelings of discomfort during the session.

One form of Thai massage involves using herbs and a heated compress. It is often used before and after a session as the ball used here allows the muscle and joints to have greater movement and flexibility.

At the same time, the herbs used are then are absorbed by the pores in the body to further release the energy blockages to improve energy imbalances in the body. In fact, some of the herbs are known to draw properties that allow the removal of inflammations and swelling typically found in injuries.

There is a massage therapy known as Thai massage and it is here to stay. If you want to try it out, check the neighborhood to see if there is place that offers this to customers. Before you go in, check with your doctor if it is safe for you to try then also make sure that the person doing it is qualified to do the job.

Thai Massage Parlours Explained

By Arvin K

Visitors should be aware that there are many types of massage parlour, from the overtly sexual to the professionally qualified, and everything in between. As a rough rule, you can expect to get what you want, as long as you are perfectly clear up front, and willing and able to pay for it.

A massage parlour is a place where you can get a full body massage, or a massage of particular areas of the body: for example, a foot massage. As well as different locations on the body, there are also different types of massage. There is traditional Thai, when you are likely to have all your bones and muscles squeezed, pummelled and cracked. There is also oily massage, where the therapist rubs scented oil into your skin. There is plenty of regional variation too, so you could ask what the local specialty is when you enter the premises.

Without doubt, there are probably some professional massage parlours in Bangkok and Pattaya, but the vast majority will be called 'massage parlours' as a euphemism for a brothel where clients pay for a variety of sexual services.

In order to prepare the first time visitor, you should be aware that a traditional Thai massage is generally a non-sexual form of massage. The masseuses tend to be quite rough on your body, kneading your muscles and bones with their elbows, feet and hands. Your private areas may well be draped in a towel, and your muscles and bones thoroughly massaged and manipulated until you hear them crack.

For those seeking a brothel style massage parlour, you should know that there are generally three different types of massage parlour. The first are those who offer massages from in-house parlour girls; the girls will be sitting at a bar, or at tables, and will often wear a type of uniform --- unlikely to be anything like you expect, and could easily be lime green bikinis!

The second type of massage is locally called 'B Massage'. With this service, the females massage men with their body. The third type of massage parlour is termed 'sidelines'. This type of establishment usually employs women for evening/night work, since they often have other employment or studies during the daytime.

You will also see plenty of signs advertising "soapy massage". This is when your selected young lady soaps you all over, then proceeds to soap herself and to wash you, usually in a large bath tub. She will then dry you thoroughly. It is expected that this type of massage will lead to the customer being sexually satisfied. Many men think this is the most sublime kind of massage.

So whatever type of massage you are looking for, whether a traditional Thai massage to relieve your aching back, or a soapy sensual experience, premises in Bangkok and Pattaya are sure to be able to satisfy your every need.

Why Thai Massage is One of the Best Massage Therapies For Relieving Low-Back Pain

By Nina Schnipper

Massage therapy has been shown to be effective for treating low back pain naturally. With so many massage therapies being practiced, maybe it is time to examine the effectiveness of individual styles like Thai massage.

Thai massage foundations.
Thai massage is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is considered a more holistic approach to treating physical conditions than our modern Western medical model.

The Western approach to treating conditions is to look at each symptom, and each corresponding body area, separately from the rest of the body. When we strain a muscle, we repair that muscle. We don't pay attention to the surrounding muscles until they appear symptomatic. This is not holistic, or prevention-based.

Ayurveda and Thai massage are steeped in prevention and holistic treatment. When pain or tension arises, the whole body is treated. There is no question that muscles, organs, and other areas are affected when one is injured or diseased.

Thai massage applications.
Thai massage is a form of relaxed, gentle, assisted stretching. Some of its stretches are more dynamic, like yoga being applied to a relaxed person.

During a Thai massage session, the therapist will apply stretches to the client's entire body. In the process, the therapist loosens muscles and joints. They enhance movement and restore circulation in tight areas. They relieve stress and tension in restricted tissues.

Thai massage and back muscles.
When a therapist offers Thai massage, they do not focus on one area or muscle group. They apply their therapy to the whole body.

Back fitness depends on many muscles working together. When muscles in the lower back are weak, they are not fit. They are at risk for becoming strained or stressed.

Everyday activities are multi-directional and dynamic. Most daily activities require the use of several muscles working together in harmony. Back injuries commonly occur because the muscles are not prepared for dynamic, everyday functions.

Thai massage loosens all of the muscles in the back, and stretches all of the surrounding muscles. It treats the entire low back in a way that improves its ability to perform everyday activities.

Traditional Thai Massage

By Ramin Assemi

It was a personal friend of the Buddha with the name of Jivaka Khumar Bhacca that developed the system of Thai massage in India.

Dr. Jivaka was a famous doctor at the time who had an interesting life story. He was an orphant and studied medicinal plants for many years.

Later in life he became the private doctor of a powerful king in the region of India.

He also massaged members of the original Buddhist community, the first "Sangha". In fact, he has even been mentioned in the Tipitaka writings.

It was through buddhist monks that the art of Thai massage then found it's way to Thailand. Specially here monks practiced and developed this unique form of bodywork for centuries.

They used Thai massage to heal laypeople, and to deepen their meditative practices.

After they spend many hours without movement in deep meditation their bodies were naturally tired and stiff - Thai massage helped them to regain their flexibility fast.

Two kinds of Thai massage emerges throughout the millennia - the rural style and the royal style.

The rural style is the one that has lots of animistic elements involved, and magic. Thai shamans practiced it and midwives.

The royal style was a much more scholarly style that was practiced in the palace of the King of Siam. It was also more polite, for example the massage therapist would not utilize his feet to massage a person of royal decree but only the thumbs.

Nowadays it is a sad reality that oftentimes prostitutes and brothels refer to their services as "Thai massage" - but it is important to make the distinction that Thai massage has nothing to do with erotic massage. This is much more a development of recent times and can in large part be accredited to the presence of soldiers during the Vietnam war in Pattaya.

Herbal Thai Massage

By Lana Cummings

The combination of a Thai herbal compress and traditional Thai massage techniques create a treatment designed to soothe almost any aliment one might experience.

History of Thai Yoga Massage

Jivaka Kumar Bahaccha, Buddhist monk and founder of traditional Thai medicine and Thai massage techniques, established Thai massage to alleviate pain by improving the flow of 'prana' or life energy within the body.

Prana circulates through the body along pathways called 'sen lines'. Theoretically, when someone is experiencing pain or disease there is an upset in the flow of prana which flows along these sen lines.

When these blockages are stimulated with the pressure, stretching and kneading techniques, along with modified yoga postures used in Thai massage, it releases the blockage allowing prana to move freely again. As the released prana effortlessly flows again, each system of the body is saturated with vital nutrients improving the body's normal functions. As the body starts to return to a balanced state the pain decreases, energy is restored and the client is filled with a renewed sense of vitality and well-being.

The Yoga Connection

Thai massage was created based on yoga philosophies and traditions as it helps balance not only the body but the mind and spirit as well. Typically a Thai therapist meditates before each treatment to clear their mind of distracting thoughts and focus on bringing healing energy into the massage.

As stated earlier, modified yoga postures themselves are integrated into each massage session creating a multitude of avenues to apply massage techniques. Thai therapist maintains a calming quality to the massage by applying graceful rhythmic movements and focused attention while connecting the postures, similar to practicing yoga.

The Herbal Compress

Herbal Thai massage incorporates the use of a heated compress containing a collection of medicinal aromatic herbs traditionally grown in Thailand. This compress is simply a pouch filled with ground Thai herbs wrapped tightly in a natural porous cloth, usually unbleached cotton or muslin.

It is most often steamed to stimulate the herbs then pressed or rolled on the body during, before or after a Thai yoga massage. When used in conjunction with a Thai massage, the heated ball allows the muscles and joints of the body greater movement and flexibility.

The herbs themselves are absorbed through the skin and used in the body to facilitate further release of energy blockages thereby improving energy imbalances within the body. Some of the herbs have drawing properties that allow removal of inflammation and swelling typical with injuries.

Benefits of Herbal Thai Massage

Traditional Thai massage is most commonly used to treat inflammation due to muscle and joint pain, injuries or imbalances but it is not limited to muscular system. Thai massage can help with all the systems in the body allowing whole body healing. The herbal compress promotes further healing as the typical selection of Thai herbs offer many healing properties to the mind body and soul. Together the Thai yoga massage and the herbal compress promote healing in the following ways:

• Improves muscle injuries, imbalances and pain
• Improves blood and lymph circulation
• Improves physical and mental energy by releasing energy blockages
• Improves joint flexibility and range of motion
• Reduces acute and chronic inflammation
• Improves appetite and digestive processes and dysfunctions
• Prevents illness
• Slows aging process and degeneration of soft tissues and joints
• Boosts immune system
• Lowers blood pressure
• Encourages relaxation
• Prevents and alleviates stress and anxiety
• Calms the mind, improves concentration and positive thinking
• Speeds healing
• Improves movement and function of fascia (body's connective tissue)
• Decreases cold and flu symptoms
• Improves organ function and movement
• Calms respiratory dysfunction and pain
• Eases menstrual cramps and associated pain
• Calms and prevents migraines and headaches
• Helps with insomnia and other sleep disorders

This unique Thai tradition is welcome in North America by both therapists and clients alike. Its deep rooted history, balancing techniques and aromatic benefits offer a therapeutic treatment second to none.

Learn Thai Massage With The Experts In Thailand

By Russel Clark

Thai Massage has its roots in Buddhist philosophy. It is therefore practiced in many Buddhist temples throughout South East Asia and in particular, in Thailand.

This is because the average Thai includes this traditional technique as an essential part of their daily maintenance health program for improved blood circulation, relaxation, slowing the aging process, and general well being.

This is very different to the western approach of using massage therapy as a way to relieve chronic pain. Whilst it may well be effective in relieving pain, it is better used as part of a preventative health program.

Because there are so many who use Thai Massage daily, there are an abundance of excellent schools and training centers. See thai-massage-schools.com for a comprehensive list of training schools.

If you are considering a career in alternative healing, Thai Massage - as taught in Thailand - is an ideal study choice. You get to learn from the experts, in their environment. As an added benefit, by experiencing life in Thailand you will be sure to gain a holistic understanding of the Thai people, their customs, traditions and belief system. This will help you be a better and more authentic practitioner. You will never get these insights through books or by studying in Western massage training schools.

Thai Massage - For Healing & Wellbeing

By Kelly Price

Thai Massage is considered an ancient art of body therapy for health, healing, and transformation.

The History of Thai Massage

Thai massage has been performed for centuries by monks in Southeast Asia as one element of indigenous Thai medicine.

As with much of traditional oriental medicine, illness is seen as an imbalance of the mind, body and spirit or ‘chi’.

Thai massage is based on the concept of invisible energy lines running through the body. These energy lines known as ‘Prana Nadis’ supply us with vital energy.

‘Prana’ (life energy) is absorbed with the air we breathe and with the food we eat. Disturbances in the flow of energy result in an insufficient supply of Prana, which in turn lead to sickness.

Thai massage selects ten energy mainlines on which there are significantly important acupressure points. Working on these energy mainlines, Thai massage breaks the blockades, stimulates the free flow of Prana, and helps to restore general well-being.

Thai Massage – How Does it Work?

Thai Massage focuses on interactive manipulation and uses two primary procedures.

These include the therapist applying gentle pressure with the hands and feet along the energy lines and a variety of passive stretching movements to manipulate your body into a series of postures.

These movements help to align the energies of the body.

Traditional Thai massage differs greatly from traditional massage where kneading of muscles and strokes of varying lengths and pressure are used to stimulate, calm or relax.

It works more with the energy body rather than with the physical body and is based on a gentle but vigorous pressure, the pressing of energy points and a lot of stretching.

What are the Benefits of Thai Massage?

Although Thai massage is considered more vigorous than traditional massage, the effect is uniquely energizing as well as relaxing.

Sometimes referred to as Thai yoga, because of the ‘assisted stretching’, Thai massage stimulates and energizes the body and releases tension and toxins from joints, muscles and connective tissue.

Thai massage has been used for many years to treat degenerative illness and promote wellness and can be beneficial for the young or old, healthy or not so healthy, the active or not so active.

The key benefits include:

• stimulates internal organs
• balances the body's energy system
• adjusts the skeletal structure
• relieves muscular and joint tension
• increases flexibility

Thai Massage – Is it Safe for Everyone?

Thai massage is relatively safe but is not appropriate for people with certain medical conditions such as serious back or knee injuries, or pregnant women.

If in doubt you should seek advice from your doctor.

What to expect from a Thai Massage?

Applied in a quiet meditative atmosphere, Thai massage creates space in the musculoskeletal structure, opening up the body and allowing it to regain flexibility and ease of movement.

When performed in Thailand, Thai massage is seen as a spiritual practice and in order to perform the massage in the meditative mood that is required, the session will start with a meditative prayer to fully center the masseur on his or her work.

It is believed that only a masseur working in a meditative mood can have intuition for the lines of energy flow in the body.

Traditionally, Thai massage is performed on a padded floor mat instead of a table or couch, no oil is used and you stay fully dressed, so loose comfortable clothing is advised.

Thai Massage – Choosing a Therapist

To get the best from a traditional Thai massage, ensure you seek a therapist that is suitably qualified. Thai massage is a great way to improve overall wellbeing and is more popular than ever. Try a Thai massage for yourself and you will be glad you did.

Learning Thai Massage in Koh Samui

By Alister Bredee

“This is one of the best things I did on my trip,’ she enthuses. “While I was traveling I had massages. It felt so nice that I decided I would like to learn how to do it!”
“It’s just for fun. I have learned it for myself and to help my friends and family.”
No, she does not want to become a massage therapist. Her goal is to train as a medical doctor, and this preparation in massage could well help her in her aspiration to study western medicine.

Her twenty-hour course stretched over a leisurely five and a half days. So she has plenty of time for rest and relaxation in the swimming pool and on the beach beside. She laughs when she says, “I enjoyed the rest!”

“I also really liked the Course with Thai instructor Nan.”

Nan, by the way started her studies at the prestigious Wat Pho in Bangkok which serves as the premier massage teaching facility in Thailand.
“She really gets the students to practice a lot. She’s very kind and supportive, too and that helped a whole lot!” Says the young Dutch student.
“She taught me to apply my whole body in making the massage strokes.”
Marloas explains she was always afraid that her hands would become tired whilst massaging, but she was surprised to find that instead she felt energised.
“I now know the pressure points and understand how to make people relax.”

The course that Marloas attended is not designed to turn out professional therapists. It is certificated but is designed for self-development and general interest. For those eager to learn Thai massage for professional use, Health Oasis Resort offers a more intensive fifty hour period of instruction, and this too comes with a certificate.

Massage is one of several subjects that visitors can learn at the Bang Po beach side resort. Other topics include Thai Cookery, Reiki, Meditation and EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique. The Thai cooking is interesting because it is geared very much to the visitor to the Kingdom. Many people have enjoyed eating Thai food in restaurants worldwide and on coming to Thailand have taken the experience to another dimension. What Health Oasis encourages is to teach visitors how to cook their favourite dishes. Naturally this requires a little notice because the instructors have to go to the market and buy the freshest ingredients possible so the ‘trainee chef’ can prepare that favourite meal. Once you have cooked it, all you then have is the pleasure of sitting down and eating your creation and hopefully you have invited some friends or loved ones to share this unique experience with you.

Like the Massage training that Marloas underwent you can also take the recipe and knowledge of your newly acquired Thai culinary art back home with you as a very practical souvenir of your visit to Thailand. Surely that will add to the overall enjoyment of your holiday in “the land of smiles”

The Healing Benefits of Traditional Thai Massage

By Annalisa Zisman

Traditional Thai massage has been practiced for over 2,500 years. It not only relaxes the body, but the mind as well. It actually began in India. The Buddhist monks practiced both massage and other healing arts. This spread to families and as Buddhism spread to Asia, the traditional Thai massage became a part of both the religious and healing part of the religion. It is believed that traditional Thai massage made it to Thailand around the 3rd or 2nd century BC. Many times, monastery temples were built near medical schools so the art of massage was taught among both monks and medical students.

Traditional Thai massage focuses on the experience of the whole body. It works on the major energy lines, known as ‘Sen’. These Sen run throughout the body. By loosening blockages, the massage will help harmonize the body and recoup any deficiencies of the energy lines. Just as Chinese medicine uses acupuncture to help revive health, traditional Thai massage uses a similar system of pressure points to help heal and relieve stress. The Prana, or life energy, is allows to freely circulate through the body.

Traditional Thai massage has many benefits. Whether you are the receiver of the massage or the giver of the massage, you can feel joy, ease, and comfort. The massage will open up your chakras, allowing you to have a more peaceful mind as well as benefiting your health.

The giver of the traditional Thai massage also will receive generosity, compassion, equanimity, the feeling of oneness, the feeling of loving kindness, and the pride that can only be felt by a healer. The receiver will feel the joy of receiving as well as a calmness of rest and a refreshed spirit. Physically, the receiver feels a general increase in energy due to the opening of Sen and other blocked areas in the body. They will also feel relief from pain and muscle tension, blood and lymph circulation is improved, and the nervous system is balanced. An increase in flexibility is also possible.

Traditional Thai massage is a floor massage. The receiver usually is asked to lay on a pad or light mattress. By lying on the floor, the practitioner can easily manipulate the limbs of the receiver. Massages are given in silence, so the practitioner can better understand what the receiver needs are while the receiver can concentrate on learning about himself and his body. Practitioners start at the feet and moves toward the receiver’s head, making the body feel loosened and stretched. A massage can last between two and three hours. Sometimes it combines techniques used in western physical therapies such as Neuromuscular therapy, Myofascial Release Techniques, and Remedial massage. Traditional Thai massage is great for athletes as it keeps them flexible and helps prevent and treat injuries. It also helps improve the flexibility and mobility of the handicapped.