Benefits of Thai Massage
- Frees blockages in energy flow
- Improves blood and lymph circulation
- Increases flexibility and joint range of motion
- Invigorates the nervous system
- Reduces edema
- Reduces stress and facilitates relaxation
- Relieves muscle spasms, muscle tension, and pain
- Stimulates the immune system
Thai Modality:
Thai Massage combines various styles from China, India, Burma and Tibet. Unlike the continuous strokes of Western massage, the Thai modality combines pressure points, stretching techniques and muscle compression. Many Western therapist often misrepresent Thai Massage for passive yoga. The secret to Thai Massage is how well the practitioners understand each pressure point and know how it affects the area to be treated. It is the secret that separates the mediocre therapists from the very skillful ones. Unfortunately for non-Thai students, Thai Massage is considered a national treasure. The un-spoken rule among the institutions that teach Thai Massage to foreigners is to only teach the basic movements to the non-Thai students. The language barrier also prevents many Western therapists from learning and understanding the true form of Thai Massage. It is for this reason that the misconception about Thai Massage occurred.
The Thai modality focuses on applying pressure points to the sen-lines, which is believed to consist of 72,000 sen-lines throughout the human body. However, there are only 10 major sen-lines that are most important in the proper functioning of the body. When pressures are applied to each trigger point on the sen-lines, the clients feel certain sensation flowing through the body in the direction of the sen-lines. Historically, it was thought that these sen-lines are made of blood vessels and tendons. After studying the human anatomy and the directions that the sen-lines sends a signal, it is concluded that there is no correlation between the directional flow of the sen-lines and the flow of blood or fluid flow in the tendons. Although it is still unclear what these sen-lines are consisted of, it is believed that these sen-lines are made-up of nerves, tissues (surrounding bones and muscles), or blood vessels wall that compose of nerve-endings.
When the muscles tighten-up, it constrict the blood vessels preventing efficient blood flow; thereby, limiting the flow of oxygen throughout the body. Insufficient oxygen causes Lactic Acid to build-up in the muscles, resulting in knots in the muscles such as those found in the shoulders, neck, and back. Therapeutically, massaging is stimulating the nervous system to response to medical treatment. Thorough understanding of the anatomical position of the sen-lines is critical in treating certain ailments using Thai Massage in a therapeutic approach. By slowly applying pressure to each trigger point along the sen-lines holding it and releasing it, this helps the muscles to relax and loosen the constricted blood vessels allowing blood and oxygen to flow more efficiently throughout the body.
Western massage works mainly on the surface of the muscles and perhaps hit one or two trigger points; therefore, only get rid of the symptoms. Thai Massage goes deeper into the muscles following the sen-lines, which try to get to the cause of the symptoms. As a result, the body feels more relaxed for a longer time period than Western massage.
lnk