In the Thai language, Thai massages are a part of traditional Thai medicine, also known as Nuad Bo-rarn. Here the Bo-rarn means ancient, and Nuad means massage. So, in Thai, Nuad Bo-rarn stands for ancient massage. This name already hints about its origin. Authentic Thai massage is a 2500-year-old technique that originated in India and later spread across southern Asia. While its exact origin timeline is still debatable, it's been practiced for centuries.
Various elements of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Chinese Medicine are also practiced in Thai massage. Although this massage differs from common massage techniques, it has often been practiced as a healthy holistic approach. It's an ancient healing art that has shown multiple science-backed benefits. Some of the benefits of Thai massage are discussed below:
What Benefits Can You Obtain from a Traditional Thai Massage?
Thai massage helps a person get relief from symptoms like back pain, neck pain, headache, joint pain, and anxiety. This massage also helps you become more energetic and improves physical flexibility. Let's explore how a therapeutic Thai massage helps you:
Thai massage reduces back pain: Thai massage is highly effective for certain cases, including chronic nonspecific lower back pain. This massage contributes to the short-term reduction of pain and disability for patients. It’s also great for patients suffering from upper back pain from myofascial trigger points
Thai massage may help reduce chronic pain and migraine intensity: Patients with chronic tension-type and migraine headaches found this massage beneficial. This could be an alternative treatment for chronic headaches, reducing the pain intensity
Thai massage helps improve athlete’s physical fitness: Even a single Thai massage session may help improve players' physical fitness and flexibility. This massage helps reduce muscle tension and fatigue. It increases blood flow in muscles while allowing the muscles to get more oxygen and nutrients. It also improves mood and promotes better sleep
Thai massage improves Osteoarthritis of the knee: A 3-week Thai massage therapy relieves the pain of knee Osteoarthritis patients. Many researchers claim this massage technique is a safe and effective alternative treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis. Furthermore, Thai massage can effectively improve the walkability of Knee Osteoarthritis patients
Thai massage increases relaxation and reduces psychological stress: Traditional Thai massages effectively reduce psychological stress and may moderately reduce stress. Patients with scapulocostal syndrome claim traditional Thai massage increased relaxation and decreased anxiety and pain intensity. Thus, traditional Thai massage can be used with medical treatments to improve individuals' conditions who are suffering from psychological and physical stress.
What Should You Know Before a Thai Massage?
Unlike other massages, Thai massage requires no lying on a massage table, oiling the body, or kneading muscles. During a Thai massage, you must lie on a mat on the floor. The massage therapist uses techniques like stretching, pulling, and socking. This helps relieves tension and promotes circulation, flexibility, and relaxation.
Practitioners work on some key points of the body to improve the energy flow. It's believed in Thai massage medicine that energy circulates along pathways in our body, known as Sens.
During that massage, practitioners use their hands, thumbs, elbows, and forearms to manipulate the muscles. Sometimes they even sit on the patient to stretch their body in various yoga-like positions. During this therapy, you can keep your clothes on until the end.
Before you go for a Thai massage, here are a few things you must know:
Wear loose-fitting clothes like a loose top coupled with pants during your session.
Inform your practitioner when you feel discomfort to reduce the pressure and stretching.
If some areas of your body are pain-sensitive, inform your practitioner before you begin the session.
Avoid Thai massage if you are pregnant or suffering from bleeding disorders, deep vein thrombosis, burns, or thrombocytopenia.
Ask for your doctor's suggestion before a Thai massage if you have these health complications:
Recent Surgery
Heart Or Coronary Artery Disease
High Blood Pressure
Spine Conditions such as Osteoporosis & Neurological Diseases
Open Wounds
Cancer
Diabetes
Thai massage is more active than other massages. It’s the best option if you like to relax your muscles and feel energetic and pain-free in a functional manner that includes lots of stretching and pulling.
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