If traditional massage bodywork and yoga had a baby, it would be Thai massage. A good Thai massage straddles the line between pleasure and pain. Your body will move in ways you didn’t think possible--everyone is surprised when they see how much flexibility a professional Thai massage therapist can coax out of them! For me, having regular sessions with my massage therapist helps to balance out the physical and mental stress a 50-60 hr. work week and it helps me to keep my energy centered in my busy lifestyle.
Rikida Starace
Co-Owner of BKK Beauty
WHAT IS THAI MASSAGE?The Thai massage technique is based on the notion of energy lines, or Sen. Most practitioners believe that there are various Sen, or channels, of energy within the body.
Sen correspond to different parts of the body, such as the bones, muscles, blood, and nerves. Some Sen also affect the mind and consciousness. These are called subtle channels. The theory suggests that tight muscles cause blockages within different Sen. These blockages reduce the flow of life energy, which results in stiffness, pain, and illness. Thai massage uses different techniques--stretching, back walking and pressure point--that either open or constrict different Sen to correct the flow of life energy. |
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THAI MASSAGE FOR ATHLETESAthletes are prone to fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and injury during their training. That is why many athletes work with specialized sports massage therapists. Sports massage combines assisted stretches and various massage techniques to treat sports injuries and improve an athlete’s range of motion. Practitioners will often use assisted stretching to target a specific area of the body or a particular muscle group.
Thai massage, on the other hand, gradually stretches the whole body, allowing the person to relax. The dynamic stretches that Thai massage practitioners use may offer deeper, more restorative stretches than some assisted stretching techniques of sports massage. Relaxation combined with the energizing and invigorating effects of Thai massage help people feel mentally and physically restored. Thai massage also improves circulation, which brings more oxygen to muscles and other tissues. This may prevent injuries and improve the athlete’s ability to recover after intense training. |
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A THAI MASSAGE?After a Thai massage, you may feel very relaxed. However, keep in mind that your muscles have been worked, stretched, and prodded. After a Thai massage, be sure to rest and drink plenty of water. There are no guidelines for how often you should get a Thai massage. We advise our clients to try to incorporate daily maintenance routines that involve stretching and relaxation techniques. This will help you remain flexible for a long time after your massage.
Also, listen to your body. If you're experiencing lasting pain or discomfort in one area of your body, you should see your healthcare provider, as this could indicate an underlying health condition. If you want to focus on a specific area of your body, you can choose to work with a massage therapist to schedule regular sessions until you are satisfied with the results. At that point, you should consider spacing out your appointments and focusing on maintaining the results. |
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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A THAI MASSAGEA good way of visualizing Thai massage is by imagining that someone is arranging your body into different yoga poses. For a Thai massage, the client usually lies on the floor or an over-sized platform massage bed. A licensed massage therapist will slowly work your body through various stretches. The therapist may use their hands, knees, legs, or feet to help manipulate your body into different positions.
This should not cause pain or discomfort, but you should alert your massage therapist if you do experience either of these things. While it’s not necessary to prepare for a Thai massage in advance, consider the following advice:
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SIDE EFFECTS & RISKSWhile Thai massage has many health benefits, the technique also has limits. Due to its impact on the circulatory system, people with the following health conditions should consult their healthcare provider before seeking a Thai massage:
Trained massage therapists can adjust the intensity and pressure to suit their clients. However, you should avoid Thai massage while recovering from an injury. Even at the lowest intensity, Thai massage can sometimes cause further injury to the body. People who have cancer, are pregnant, or are recovering from surgery should not undergo a Thai massage. The physical intensity of this massage technique could lead to health complications or worsen preexisting injuries. |
Despite its ancient origins, Thai massage remains a relatively new technique in Western culture. Recent research has revealed that Thai massage is associated with many health benefits, such as improved circulation, an improved range of motion, and reduced levels of stress.
While a person of any age can get a Thai massage, it is not appropriate for everybody. People with certain health conditions, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, those who are pregnant, and those who have just undergone surgery should not get a Thai massage, as the technique could pose health risks. If someone is considering getting a Thai massage but is concerned that their medical history may prevent them from doing so, they should consult their healthcare provider first. |
CHOOSING THE RIGHT MASSAGE MODALITY FOR YOUR BODY
Swedish massage therapy is the most well-known and widely practiced type of therapeutic massage—and for good reason. This type of massage focuses on muscle relaxation, targeting superficial muscles (rather than the connective tissues targeted in Deep-Tissue massage) and increasing blood circulation.
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Thai combination massage integrates more than one style or massage modality. It can combine techniques from Swedish massage, Deep-Tissue massage, Reflexology and Trigger Point therapy. These combination are used to tailor the massage towards your personal preferences and specific needs. Thai combination massage is also a good option for new clients who are unsure if Thai massage is right for them.
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Deep-Tissue massage therapy isn’t just a Swedish massage with deeper strokes or harder pressure. These massages use firm pressure and slow strokes that glide along the length of your muscle fibers to massage deep layers of muscle and fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles. This technique breaks up scar tissue and muscle adhesions--what we commonly call “knots”, which are bands of rigid and painful muscle tissue.
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