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Top 5 Health Benefits of Thai Massage Therapy
Are you considering a Thai massage? Have you seen pictures or heard stories that shy you away?
It is only natural when considering a thai massage to ask two simple questions, “is a Thai massage good for you?” and “what are Thai massage benefits and effects?”
If you care about your body and health, you should ask those questions, and we’re glad that you did. The health benefits of Thai massage therapy are boundless. With proper preparation and knowledge of Thai massage techniques, you can be assured your body will thank you.
What are Thai Massage Techniques?
Thai massage techniques were created over two and a half thousand years ago, accredited to the physician to the Buddha, Shivago Komarpaj.
However, what was considered a Thai massage then, is much different than the modern day Thai massage. Most likely an evolved method has taken its place with influence from many South East Asian countries.
A Thai massage is much different than many other types of massages. The big difference is Thai massage techniques are intended to energize the body rather than relax it, as many other massage techniques do.
Often Thai massage is referred to as a Thai yoga massage as the therapists use their body to move you into a series of the yoga-like positions that stretch the body and loosen joints. Here are few things to expect during a Thai massage session:
- The therapist will actually use their hands, knees, legs, and feet to move your body into various positions.
- You should think of a Thai massage much like yoga without doing any of the work.
- Therapist also incorporate muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure to loosen body and joints.
- You will not only feel relaxed but energized as well.
To ensure proper Thai massage techniques and the safety of your body, make sure that the massage therapists you are using are properly educated and credited in Thai massage techniques.
What are the Health Benefits of a Thai Massage?
Are you often stressed by work and daily chores? Do your muscles feel tight? Do your joints ache?
If you answered yes, the health benefits of a Thai massage can help these and more.
Now that you understand Thai massage techniques that are used to help your body, you can grasp a better understanding of the health benefits of a Thai massage compared to any other types of massage therapy. Here are 5 of the terrific health benefits of a Thai massage.
1. Stretching Like None Other
If you’re hoping to find massage techniques that can stretch your limbs like no other massage, then look to Thai massage techniques. The stretching involved with Thai massages can relieve deep muscle tension and help make limbs more limber.
2. Mental Relaxation
There are countless studies that support the health benefits of meditation and relaxation. Thai massage techniques are intended to help relax one’s mind and help fall into a meditative state. Much like Tai Chi or Yoga, the small but concentrated movements help put the mind in a state of full relaxation.
3. New Balance of Cortisol and Serotonin
Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, is a dreaded fellow. Serotonin, on the other hand, is the sought after hormone that reduces stress and makes a brain feel happy. Thai massage techniques help release serotonin while reducing the amount of cortisol. Sounds like a great health benefit to us!
4. Beneficial for Pain Relief
In a study conducted by the Massage Therapy Foundation, massages were found to help reduce the pain from patients with scapulocostal syndrome over other types of therapy. Thai massages are included in helping reduce pain.
5. Circulation of Blood
Unlike a Swedish massage which keeps you in one position, the movement of a Thai massage helps force circulation of blood to new areas of your body. The better circulation, the more oxygen your body can receive and the better it feels.
Thai Massage Benefits for Athletes
I felt intrigued to discuss the benefits of a thai massage for athletes as many of them do not know that this type of massage can increase their performance.
So the question is, “how can a Thai massage help an athlete become a more outstanding performer?”
Not only are there basic health benefits of a Thai massage, but there are also Thai massage benefits for athletes that can help them perform better and stay more limber throughout their game or practice. Here are a few of those benefits:
1. The Power of Stretching
What are you supposed to do before any game? Stretch. Why?
Because it can help spread the musculature tissue that knots up during a workout. The more we can free up the tissue, the more limber one can be. So it is suffice to say, if stretching is good, than Thai massage is king, because Thai massage techniques aim to stretch the body and produce more limber joints and looser muscles.
We all know, when muscles are loose, they have an ability to build and become stronger.
2. Again with the Circulation
Think about any time you go on a good run. What happens when you stop? You spend a few minutes (if not longer) trying to catch your breath. That is because your body needs oxygen, and that doesn’t mean just your lungs. Your entire body is looking for oxygen to help rebuild muscles and keep them from locking up or tearing. Thai massage techniques aim to bring oxygen to every part of your body.
3. Improves your Range of Motion
Similar to yoga, Thai massages will help loosen the body and improve the range of motion in all your joints. Often many joints are not used to bending a certain way, however the more you stretch them, the more familiar they become.
Every athlete should understand that the better range of motion they posses the better an athlete they can be.
4. Increase in Energy
As mentioned above, Thai massage therapy can increase one’s energy rather than put them into a sleepy, relaxed state, as other massage treatments may do. For an athlete having that extra boost of energy can be the determining factor between 1st and last place.
Conclusion
It’s simple to see now the benefits of Thai massage therapy compared to other types of massages. The yoga-like stretching is beneficial to the body by helping loosen joints, improve circulation, and relax the body and mind to relieve the stress of both an athlete and the average civilian.
For those who are convinced, we recommend the exceptional Thai massage therapy that we provide here at Escape Massage. With a team of quality massage therapists, you’re guaranteed to reap the health benefits of a Thai massage while allowing your mind to drift into a meditative state like none other. For more insights, pictures and discussion around a Thai massage read my article in the Charlotte Agenda.
Have you had a thai massage and did you reap the benefits that were discussed?