| The ancient art of Thai massage differs from | | | | During a session, the therapist uses his or her |
| that of modern massage techniques. Frequently | | | | hands, knees, feet, elbows, forearms, and legs to |
| called "Thai yoga massage," the therapist uses | | | | compress certain pressure points on the body |
| more than the hands to stimulate the muscles | | | | (and to stretch certain muscles) that are known |
| and to effect deep relaxation. Rather, the | | | | to effect physical, mental, and/or psychological |
| therapist uses hands, legs, knees, and feet to | | | | changes. |
| move the client into a number of simulated yoga | | | | A Thai Massage Session |
| postures. Perhaps because this practice is more | | | | Unlike traditional massage, this massage is |
| rigorous than other forms of massage, the | | | | performed on a mat on the floor. The client is |
| reported benefits of this massage are also more | | | | fully clothed and no oils or lotions are used. The |
| numerous. Indeed, this ancient treatment offers | | | | therapist proceeds to pull and stretch the client's |
| benefits that extend far beyond those attributable | | | | body into a number of positions that resemble |
| to traditional massage. | | | | rhythmic, rocking yoga postures. Many of these |
| Benefits of Thai Massage | | | | postures, moreover, involve rotation and |
| Thai massage has been shown to offer a number | | | | stretching of the shoulder joints. |
| of physical, mental, and psychological benefits to | | | | The benefits of such shoulder manipulation are |
| those who undergo these treatments. | | | | key to the health benefits of Thai massage. |
| Physical Benefits: | | | | According to Holistic Massotherapy, during a Thai |
| - Improves circulation, thereby lowering blood | | | | massage, "[l]ymph nodes located under the arm |
| pressure | | | | are squeezed, aiding the movement of lymphatic |
| - Strengthens respiration | | | | fluid on its course to the blood. Nerve function in |
| - Eases arthritis symptoms | | | | the shoulder complex is enhanced as surrounding |
| - Improves joint and muscular flexibility | | | | tissues are stretched...blood flow to and from the |
| - Strengthens the immune system | | | | area is stimulated, accelerating the exchange of |
| Mental Benefits: | | | | nutrients and removal of toxins." |
| - Helps to focus the mind | | | | ...and that's not all. Stretching of the shoulder joints |
| - Increases mental clarity | | | | also releases synovial fluid that lubricates the |
| - Aids creativity | | | | joints, thereby alleviating to some degree certain |
| - Brings mental calmness | | | | arthritic symptoms. In addition, circulation |
| Psychological: | | | | throughout the chest is increased as the entire |
| - Eases stress and anxiety symptoms | | | | muscular-skeletal system is expanded through |
| - Increases confidence | | | | stretching of the surrounding fascia. By opening up |
| - Improves ones optimism level | | | | the chest in this manner, lung capacity is enhanced |
| - Increases energy levels | | | | and hence deeper breathing is encouraged. Deep |
| Why Thai Massage Offers So Many Benefits | | | | breathing in and of itself has been shown to |
| Thai massage offers such a wide array of | | | | produce a myriad of beneficial effects. |
| physical, mental, and psychological benefits | | | | Although more rigorous and energetic than |
| because it combines acupressure, reflexology, and | | | | traditional massage, the health benefits of Thai |
| Hatha Yoga asanas into its sessions. This is | | | | massage far exceed those of other types of |
| primarily due to the variety of different cultures | | | | massage. For that reason, subject of course to a |
| that have influenced this practice over the years. | | | | physician's approval, this ancient treatment should |
| Commonly regarded as an invention of Buddha's | | | | be included as a routine part of one's health |
| personal physician, Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, over | | | | maintenance plan, particularly for athletes who do |
| 2500 years ago in India, the Thai massage | | | | not incorporate a regular stretching component to |
| eventually migrated to Thailand and China where it | | | | their fitness regimen and for those who suffer |
| gradually morphed to incorporate many common | | | | from circulatory or arthritic conditions. |
| Chinese medical practices. | | | | |