Thai Massage
What is Thai Massage?
Thai massage uses gentle pressure and stretching techniques to relax the whole body. This is an ancient healing practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. Unlike Swedish or shiatsu massage techniques, in which a person passively lies on a bed, the client lies on the floor on a massage mat and participates more actively in the massage.
What does the treatment involve?
You will remain fully clothed for a Thai massage, so you should wear clothing that is comfortable and can stretch easily. Thai massages are not particularly relaxing during the massage, they feel therapeutic. However it shouldn't be painful, you must communicate with the masseur and tell them their pressure is too hard if it is hurting.
What to expect after Thai Massage?
Occassionly clients can feel sick for a day or two afterwards with a headache, flu-like symptoms, or fatigue. The truth is that these are very common side effects of a therapeutic massage because massage acts as a form of detoxification. But afterwards they feel an energy they have never felt before, younger, fresher and much more mobility.
Thai Massage v Deep Tissue Massage?
The first difference you'll notice between a Thai massage and the classic western styles is the lack of equipment. Whereas Swedish and deep tissue massages take place on top of a massage table, Thai massages take place upon a floor mat. This allows the client a more complete range of motion - which comes in handy.
Thai Massage v Swedish Massage?
Thai massage is more dynamic and focuses on enhancing the energy flow. It has a bit more of a healing affect than Swedish massage, which is more focused on relaxation, mainly using long strokes and rubbing techniques to relieve stress and pain. Thai Massage can feel amazingly beneficial and the benefits can last weeks if not months.
Contra-indication to Thai Massages
There are some conditions that are contraindicated locally. That means that the massage therapist can give you a massage but must avoid those areas with those conditions when giving you the massage. Here are a list of common contraindictions:
- Cuts or open wounds
- Bruises
- Varicose veins
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Some skin conditions
If you have these massage contraindications and you want a massage you should let your therapist know about them. Hopefully the massage therapist can work around these areas. However, if they prove too severe massage may not be appropriate. In that case, the therapist reserves the right to refuse treatment to ensure maintenance of health standards.
Other massage contraindications are more specific. You cannot get a massage if you have these conditions because massage could cause these conditions to flare up making your problem worse. Here are the conditions that fall into these category;
Other massage contraindications are more specific. You cannot get a massage if you have these conditions because massage could cause these conditions to flare up making your problem worse. Here are the conditions that fall into these category;
- Fever: Anytime you have a fever, whether from a cold, the flu or some other infection, you should not get a massage. Massage increases circulation that may in turn help the infection increase the severity of the fever and the infection.
- Contagious Diseases: If you have a contagious disease you are putting your therapist and even your therapist’s other clients at risk of getting it. Please be considerate to your therapist and cancel your massage if you come down with a contagious condition.
- Blood Clots: Massage can loosen blood clots. This could be dangerous because the clot could migrate to the brain, lungs or heart. If you are aware of any blood clots, consult your doctor before massage to make sure that it will not be effected by massage therapy.
- Kidney Conditions or Liver Conditions: Massage can put increased strain on both the liver and kidney if they are not functioning normally. This occurs because massage increases blood flow, increasing the movement of waste through the body. If you are experiencing a health problem with either your kidney or liver it is likely that massage will not be appropriate for you. Talk to a health care professional to see if massage will aggravate any kidney or liver condition.
- Cancer: Though massage is good at relieving some of the discomfort caused by cancer, it should only be given by someone trained to work with cancer patients. The patient should obtain a release form from his/her doctor to get treatment.
- Inflammation: If you have inflammation of any kind massage to the area will further aggravate the situation.
- Uncontrolled Hypertension: Massage increases blood flow. If you have high blood pressure that is not under control, the increased blood flow that is a result of massage therapy may cause problems.