Thai Massage
Thai Massage: An Ancient Practice beyond Regular Applications
Thai is an ancient practice that has been known to Thais for thousands of years, and is a branch of Thai medicine that includes ritual as well as manipulation. Taken in conjunction with other forms of treatment, Thai is very effective, and is now being used outside of Thailand as well.
Helps Restore the Balance of Energy in the Body
The belief that drives Thai is that disease is a consequence of imbalances in the energy contained in the body. Renewing this balance can help in healing the person. There are several techniques that can be used to make the Thai more effective, including applying pressure into the area that is to be treated. It is also similar to Shiatsu massage, which uses pressure along energy channels for maximum wellness.
Thai also includes reflexology, which is a belief that certain points on the feet are useful for treating the entire body. The emphasis on the feet and legs is central to Thai massage, and once the energy moves in these areas, it will reconnect the person to the earth and make him or her more “grounded”.
Thai also takes the form of blood stopping, which involves applying pressure on the major artery in the leg
or arm for approximately one minute. This process will slow the heart down in terms of its contraction, and consequently will lower pressure within the body. With subsequent release of pressure in the artery, the body becomes more relaxed, but this technique should not be used on a person with heart or circulation problems or on a diabetic.
Another aspect of Thai is that of stretching passively, in which the therapist will do all the work. Stretching in stages with rest periods interspersed will provide relief. This form of Thai massages needs to be performed slowly so that no muscle spasms or shortening occurs due to a muscle being stretched too far.
If you wish to have a Thai massage, make sure to allow plenty of time, because it can last for up to three hours – much longer than a regular massage. It is typical for the person to lie down on a floor mat, since the amount of effort that goes into this activity makes it unsuitable for use of a table.
Like other massages, Thai also provides better circulation, mobility, flexibility, and relief from stress. It goes beyond other benefits by helping to restore the balance of the body’s entire system, making it an ideal choice for those that wish to take a holistic approach to massaging the self.
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