Thai Massage

All You Need to Know

Since the birth of the Thai Massage over 2,500 years ago, it has grown to become one of the most crucial massage systems used in our world today. Although this technique has roots in many Asian alternative healing forms, it generally places its core around the idea of Sen-lines, the energetic pathways in our body.

What is Thai Massage?

A Thai Massage is a mixture of influences from the Indian Ayurvedic system, acupressure, and other assisted yoga postures. Together, these techniques work hand-in-hand to introduce mental and physical healing.

A typical Thai Massage session will have various periods of stretching, yoga-like movements, and applied pressure to help improve the flow of energy through your senses. With these different techniques, you can come out of your massage feeling more active, mobile, and energetic.

Dress code & note on pain

One of the core benefits of a Thai Massage is that not much is needed to get set up. Unlike other popular massage techniques, you do not need special oils and don’t have to remove your clothes. Just come as you are, and your practitioner will do the rest. However, if you begin to feel any excess pain during the massage, remember to tell your practitioner so they can reduce the pressure they are applying to your body.

Benefits of
Thai massage

Getting a high quality massage does not just feels incredibly good for the body, but there is also a scientific factor with all the endorphin that’s getting released in the process. The benefits of oil massage are too numerous to fit in this section, but here are just some of them.

Reduces Back Pain

One of the core areas where most people begin to feel pain as they age is around their backs. This ache often causes tremendous discomfort and stress and may lead to a lower quality of life. However, while traditional medicine continues to make attempts to create an effective cure for back pain, Thai massages have proven to be an excellent short-term solution.

Research from 2016 showed that the techniques applied by Thai Yoga Massage practitioners were excellent at helping relieve stress while also reducing the pain level in the upper back. So, if you have been struggling with pain in your back area and are seeking relief, do not hesitate to try a Thai Massage.

Increases Mobility

One of the several things we lose as we age is our flexibility and range of motion. The spryness of our youth fades out with each passing year, and we may easily find ourselves struggling to perform the tasks we once did without thinking, like hopping up the stairs. This loss of mobility can also affect people who play sports competitively, as it can hamper their performance.

Fortunately, Thai Massages are one of the best ways to fight this issue. During your massage, one of the core aims of your practitioner will always be to improve circulation and oxygen supply to the muscles by using gentle stretches. This increased blood flow is excellent at making your muscles feel less “sticky”, allowing you to move quicker and be more agile.

It Helps Reduce any Stiffness in the Joints

Today, over 350 million people worldwide currently struggle with arthritis. This disease attacks the joints with severe intensity, making it challenging to use our hands and legs without feeling any pain. However, while there is no known cure for arthritis, several alternative techniques, such as the Thai Massage, can help introduce great relief for this pain.

Research conducted in 2015 put several patients struggling with knee arthritis through an 8-week Thai Massage to study if the technique could affect their pain level. Naturally, the results were dazzling, as most participants found it much easier to walk and move after the program was over.

Migraine Relief

Today, tension headaches are the most common type of migraines that people face. Although the pain from this headache can range from mild to severe, it is bound to leave you struggling through your day. If you deal with consistent migraines or headaches and have been searching for nonpharmaceutical relief options, we highly suggest you look no further than Thai Massages.

For centuries, practitioners have used this technique to help reduce headaches and other forms of pain in their clients by applying pressure to specific points on the body. So, it was hardly a surprise when a 2015 study confirmed that Thai Massages were more effective than some pharmaceutical drugs in reducing headaches. This study considered the effects of a Thai Massage against a popular pain relief drug and discovered that the assisted yoga technique was significantly better at relieving headaches.

How to prepare for Thai massage

Unlike many other massage forms, Thai Massages don’t require much for your practitioner to kickstart their stretches. However, to make your Thai Massage as effective as possible, we recommend that you:

Have a light meal or some fruits at least one hour before your massage.
Increase your water and tea intake, but avoid alcohol the day before the massage.
Perform some light stretches at home before your massage. These exercises will help prepare your body for your Thai Massage.

To ensure that you enjoy your massage and feel relaxed and safe throughout your session, we also recommend only wearing clothes that make you feel comfortable. You may also want to replace any heels for flatter shoes before your massage.

What to expect at Thai massage

Before you begin your massage, you may already notice one of the core features that continue to make this technique stand out. Unlike most typical western massages we see today, which take place on a table or raised platform, the Thai massage always happens on the floor or on a mat. As you lay down, your practitioner will begin applying gentle pressure and various pulling and stretching systems to help induce relaxation, eliminate tension, and promote flexibility.

Although most Thai Massage practitioners employ various techniques, most favor using their thumbs, elbows, feet, and forearms to help create relief and reduce any muscle pain you may be battling. During the session, your practitioner may also guide you through various yoga-like positions while they apply their stretches, ensuring that your body remains active throughout the massage.

Thai Yoga Massage vs. Thai Massage?

If you are unfamiliar with this technique, you may be confused about the difference between a Thai Massage and a Thai Yoga Massage. However, while you may hear both names in massage rooms, they generally refer to the same technique. The addition of the word, yoga, only helps to indicate that this massage form has some roots in yoga. However, in most cases, you should be able to use both terms interchangeably, as most practitioners will understand what type of massage you want.

Potential risks
and side effects of Thai massage

Although Thai Massages are generally safe, we always recommend speaking to your doctor before you make a registration. This precaution is generally because this massage form has a powerful impact on your blood flow and general oxygen supply. So, it is always best to check with your doctor if you:

We also don’t recommend having a Thai Massage if you are pregnant.

Where is the Best Thai Massage in Chiang Mai?

Getting a massage in Thailand sounds like an easy task, but sometimes it’s hard to make a pick due to the sheer choice of available options. Below are our Top 3 recommendations for the best Thai massage in Chiang Mai.

Get 10% discount on your next massage*

We partnered with selected massage & spas shops around Chiang Mai to offer you 10% discount on many massage and spa packages.

Click Here to Find Out More

10% Off

Wrap up

The Thai Massage is one of the most ancient methods of promoting mental and physical healing while leaving you more active and spirited. One of the core things that makes this technique stand out over various other forms is that modern science also supports it. Today, several studies promote the claims put forward by practitioners hundreds of years ago.

If you are currently dealing with issues such as a lack of mobility, consistent migraines, arthritis, and back pain, please do not hesitate to try a Thai Massage. This technique is also fantastic at reducing stress and promoting energy. However, you must remember that the Thai Massage is not a passive technique, and you should always take precautions by speaking to your doctor if you have a medical condition.