What is Thai massage? How is the process done?

Thai massage is a very popular health care method today. However, those who have never tried it may not fully understand this method. Therefore, in the article below, we will introduce Thai massage in detail and the steps to perform it.

Thai massage has many benefits for the body

I. What is Thai massage?

Thai massage is a popular and effective method, bringing many health benefits. This method originated in ancient India more than 2500 years ago, founded by royal physician Jiva Kokuma. This technique was brought to Thailand by missionary monks and later combined with traditional Chinese medicine.

What is Thai massage?

Thai massage is different thanks to its high intensity, deep impact on the meridians and acupuncture points, stimulating the body’s hidden strength. This method includes muscle compression, joint mobilization and acupressure, lasting from 90 minutes to 2 hours. In particular, during the massage process, no oil is used, so customers still wear normal clothes. However, customers should choose neat clothes to facilitate the massage process.

II. Thai massage procedure

The Thai massage process includes the following steps:

Step 1: Prepare

Take off thick clothing to feel more comfortable. You can wrap yourself in a towel or wear neat clothes before starting the massage. Make sure to drink enough water before the treatment.

Step 2: Perform Thai massage

Thai massage styles focus on the “centripetal” method, so there is a unique sequence of steps from bottom to top as follows:

Thai massage styles are popular today

1. Thai style foot massage

The masseuse performs stomping and moving movements on the feet, and at the same time uses force to push the toes into the soles of the client’s feet. This helps open acupuncture points and stimulate nerves concentrated in the soles of the feet.

2. Partial stretching

Use the outer edge of the foot to create support for the client’s spine. Rotate the shoulders parallel to the client’s shoulders. At this time, customers need to relax their back and spine, raise their arms and shoulders upward. Hold your wrists tight to your chest and alternate stretches, relaxing as you exhale and stretching as you inhale.

Muscle tension is an important step in Thai massage technique, helping the body relax and maximize muscle relaxation. This promotes blood circulation, improves blood supply to muscles and ligaments, helping the body become more supple and healthy.

3. Massage your arms and palms

Massage the arm and palm areas to help reduce pain and muscle cramps. This method improves wrist flexibility and reduces pain or numbness in the back, shoulders, and arms.

4. Massage the shoulder area

– In an upright sitting position:

To begin, place the knees on either side of the client’s spine. Then, lean back and stretch your arms straight, placing them on your shoulders. Inhale and press down as you exhale, then release as you inhale. Move your hands to apply pressure to three different locations on your shoulders for a comprehensive effect.

Shoulder massage helps promote air and blood circulation, relax muscles and bones, reduce pain and increase body warmth. In addition, stimulating blood circulation also helps improve muscle strength and makes shoulder movements more flexible.

– In prone position:

To perform this pose, you need to have the correct preparation to apply even pressure on both shoulders. Place knees on the client’s back and hips on heels. Sit up straight and keep your arms straight in front of you. Apply arm and palm pressure to the client’s shoulders, working on both shoulders simultaneously and performing up and down movements.

5. Massage your neck

The masseuse performs massage movements from the neck down to reduce pressure on the neck area. Neck massage helps improve blood circulation in the neck area, strengthen the neck muscles, maintain the flexibility of the ligaments, and strengthen the stability of the neck joints.

6. Head massage 

The last Thai massage is usually a head massage. The brain is the nerve center of the human body. When performed with appropriate Thai massage styles, head massage can help ensure meridian circulation, energize the brain, and calm the nervous system.

Head massage can also improve blood circulation to the brain, increasing the amount of oxygen needed, thereby improving memory and reducing stress and anxiety.

III. Benefits of Thai massage

Reduce stress and fatigue

Thai massage uses gentle pressure and stretching techniques to help the body relax. Research by Thai biomedical scientists in 2015 showed that Thai massage can significantly reduce stress levels.

Energy supplement

Research shows that Thai massage can enhance a person’s physical level. Unlike many other types of massage that mainly focus on relaxation and improving sleep, Thai massage helps increase energy and stimulate the mind. 

Thai massage techniques are based on the concept of energy flow, which corresponds to different parts of the body such as bones, muscles, blood, nerves, and even affects thinking and consciousness. Thai massage regulates the flow of vital energy.

Improve blood circulation

Thai massage can increase blood and lymph circulation through stretching movements similar to yoga. This helps provide enough oxygen to tissues, promotes cell growth and improves cardiovascular health.

IV. Who should and should not use Thai massage therapy?

People who should try Thai massage:

– People often experience stress at work and feel stressed and tired.

– People with diseases related to bones and joints such as back pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and sciatica.

– People who are having sleep problems.

– People always feel tired, weak and lacking energy.

People who should not try Thai massage:

– People with injuries: Massage movements can cause further damage to the body, so you should wait for the body to completely recover before applying.

– Cancer patients: The health and physical condition of cancer patients are not able to withstand the strong techniques of Thai massage.

– Pregnant women: Strong massage movements can affect the fetus. Therefore, pregnant women should choose gentle full-body massage methods instead of Thai massage.

How to perform Thai foot massage

Above is detailed information about Thai massage. Hopefully this article helps you have an overview of this therapy and know how to apply it properly.

Contact now Panda Spa to book Thai massage as soon as possible!