Thai Massage Explained

Thai massage is a massage technique that originated in Thailand that is significantly influenced by the ancient Ayurvedic traditions from India. Hinduism and Therevada Buddhism are both practiced on this Thai style massage.

Like some of the Asian styles, Thai massage also bases its healing on pressure points and good circulation for a healthy whole body. It is somehow similar in style with shiatsu which focuses its healing on meridian points which are also known as sen or energy lines in Thai massage for a good energy circulation. Re-balancing or realigning the energy is one of its main goals in order to heal the patient physically and mentally.

In Thailand, sen is given a great deal of importance as it is considered vital in keeping a person healthy and full of energy which is why Thai massage's main objective is to unblock or realign the sen lining in the human body.

Unlike most of the common types of massage therapy, Thai massage begins its massage therapy sessions from the feet going upward of the body until it reaches the head. The gentle strokes are done on four different positions for the massage therapist convenience during the massage session. These four positions (face-down, face-up, side, and sitting position) are all designed so that both the patient and the therapist will be comfortable during the whole duration of the session.

Some of the strokes used during a Thai massage are also similar to the strokes used on a shiatsu style. These are elbows and knees which are commonly used during a shiatsu therapy although there are other variations used during Thai massage. Different pressures are applied during a massage therapy session based on the preference of the patient or the required amount of pressure that needs to be exerted for the healing or realigning of energy lines. The therapist also uses his or her whole body weight as he or she applies different strokes all over your body. This type, though will be applying a little bit harder or pressure on the patient's body during the therapy unlike most western style of therapy which use gentle massage strokes. However, this massage style includes stretching the patient which is rather unusual on other types of massage therapy. Resisting off the pressure exerted by the massage therapist is not ideal as it will only do harm to your muscles, joints and nerves, instead a good coordination with the massage therapist is the best thing a patient would do in a Thai massage.

This is somehow uncommon as most massage types only pamper their patient while lying on a padded massage bed. Instead of having a Thai massage patient on a massage table, the patient is asked to lie on the floor on a massage mat designed for this type of massage.

During a Thai massage, the patient will not be required to undress except for the part of their feet unlike in most massage type where a patient is asked to remove their clothes.

Sara Ryan writes for TIR Massage Stone about performing hot stone massage therapy and obtaining a proper hot stone massage kit.

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