Thai Massage is a holistic therapeutic practice that promotes flexibility, relaxation and improved energy flow. It incorporates yoga stretching actions, acupressure and compression.

Generally, people feel exceptionally relaxed and flexible after their session. However, it is important to monitor how the body reacts to its treatment. If symptoms persist, consult with a healthcare professional.

Flexibility and Relaxation

Good joint mobility is more than just flexibility, it also depends on the shape and positioning of the bones within the joints and the state of the ligaments and tendons that connect them. When these structures become tight, they hinder the flow of energy that carries vital prana throughout the body. This reduced flow of energy affects the body’s posture, internal organ function and overall balance.

A full-body Thai Massage session incorporates dynamic stretches, manipulation and movement to improve flexibility and ease of movement. This enables the practitioner to access areas of the body that other styles of massage cannot easily reach.

Aside from increased flexibility and ease of movement, a Thai Massage session helps to reduce tension and stress. The soothing ambiance and rhythmic movements of this style facilitate a profound mind-body connection, allowing the client to relax and let go. This relaxed state can help relieve chronic pain, such as headaches and backaches.

Benefits of Thai Massage

Thai Massage is a very effective therapy for many common ailments. It helps relieve neck pain and backaches, improves posture, reduces depression and massage Hoi An anxiety, energizes the body and improves blood circulation. It also helps cure chronic fatigue and enhances athletic performance.

Thai massage uses a combination of stretching, acupressure and energy work, with the practitioner using their hands (thumbs, fingers, elbows, forearms and sometimes even feet) to perform compression, pulling and rocking movements. The client remains fully clothed and lays on a mat.

According to ancient Thai medicine, there are invisible energy lines that run through the body called Sen. These energy lines are believed to circulate the vital life force throughout the body and power all physical, mental and emotional processes. When these energy channels are blocked, it creates discomfort and disease. Massaging along these key energy lines breaks energy blockage and stimulates the flow of healing energy. It also helps balance and align the body’s yin and yang energies.

Thai Massage Techniques

In addition to stretching the body and releasing tension, Thai Massage is believed to balance energy flow. It works on the principle that the body has invisible pathways called Sen (similar to the way blood vessels carry vital nutrients throughout the body). When these lines become blocked, disease and dis-ease occur.

The technique involves assisted stretches, joint rotations and the use of hands, feet, elbows and knuckles. Practitioners also learn to ‘palpate’ (touch) the body along the Sen lines, a practice which is believed to facilitate a free flow of life force and maintain a healthy energetic balance.

Some say that this 2,500 year old healing system is founded on the concept of Metta, or Loving Kindness. This is the core philosophy behind every session and is evident in the caring nature of all practitioners. The therapists at Vitality Float Spa are trained to deliver the massage with a mindful presence which helps to promote relaxation and a calm and peaceful state of mind.

Thai Massage Origins and Philosophy

The history of Thai Massage dates back some 2500 years. It has Buddhist, Ayurvedic, and Indigenous Pagan Thai spiritual influences. It was taught mainly through word of mouth and remained a holistic practice in which the mind, body, and spirit are treated as one.

It is believed that the origin of Thai massage was founded by a doctor from northern India who was Buddha’s personal physician and is known by various names in ancient Buddhist texts (such as Jivaka Komarpaj, Shivago Komparaj). This man is honored as the founder of many massage techniques and herbal medicine practices, and it is customary to say a prayer to him before every session of traditional Thai massage.

The premise of this ancient healing system is that invisible energy lines called “sen” run throughout the body and are similar to Chinese meridians and Indian nadis. The theory is that when these channels are blocked or stagnant, physical or emotional imbalances may occur.