What Is Thai Massage
What is Thai Massage? By Lee Stanford, RN, LMBT
Many are intimidated by this exotic name, but it is one of the most down-to-earth types of bodywork I have ever experienced. It is performed on a mat on the floor while you remain clothed, preferably loose fitting clothes like what you would wear to the gym or yoga class. The treatment includes rhythmic compressions (like kneading dough), along energetic lines and acupoints (pressure points) referred to as Sen lines, and passive yoga stretches. It is referred to as Thai Yoga Bodywork for these reasons. It does a wonderful job of releasing tight muscles and achieving overall relaxation but also opens up the joint capsules and helps return adequate blood flow deep into the joints and tendons. The most frequent descriptions immediately following a treatment is feeling deep relaxation, improved body alignment, and feeling fully energized, instead of groggy or sleepy.
Does Thai Massage hurt?
The massage works deeply, but there is no health benefit from causing you to cringe in pain during a treatment, in fact we will be trying to release knotted muscle fibers, not cause them to shrink up to protect against an attack. The compressions begin gently, then gradually work deeper and slower to release the bound up tissues that are causing discomfort, thereby thwarting chronic pain and dysfunction. The passive stretches are tailored to your individual range of motion and comfort and stops just before we cross that pain threshold. The usual immediate reaction during a stretch is “AAhhhhhh yes!”
Thai Massage is Natural Preventive Medicine!
In Thailand, children would do “Thai massage” for their parents who performed hard labor just so they could get up and go to work the next day without injury. Thai Yoga Bodywork can prevent injury from developing due to overuse and repetitive actions of muscles. This Bodywork is actually a branch of medicine in Thailand that is estimated to be more than 2,500 years old and migrated to Thailand. I recommend a fascinating article that describes it beautifully in Massage & Bodywork Magazineby Perry Garfinkel entitled, “Thailand Reclaims Its Ancient Medicinal Roots”.
Thai massage can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone including children and seniors. It is ideal therapeutic work for athletes to improve their muscle recovery after events and while training, to improve alignment, endurance, and flexibility.
If life is your sport than Thai Yoga Bodywork can aid in meeting every challenge.
If you live, or are visiting Asheville, then sign up for a Thai Massage at
Hands On Health Massage Therapy Center.
You may sign up online, or
call us 7 days a week at (828) 505-2899.
830 Hendersonville Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
*Mention that you read about it here and recieve 10% off your first treatment!