The Basics Of Thai Massage Therapy

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Thai massage is among the most common types of massage therapy. It originated in Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia. It is a derivative of the Japanese massage which originates in the same region. Thai massage shares many of its close traditions with its Asian counterparts like Shiatsu, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its origin and fame have made it popular globally.

Thai massage originates from an ancient holistic healing art called"Kabuki." Its purpose was to treat patients by applying pressure on particular points in their bodies. This technique was used in Japan, China and Korea before its discovery in the Thais. The term for Thai massage is"Xuryaparni," which means"finger pressure" or"pressure points" Traditionally, this kind of massage has been performed by a skilled therapist named"Nakayama," who could be found in the temple town of Phuket, Thailand.

Recent research has revealed that Thai massage may reduce chronic back pain. In a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, researchers found that eighty-two percentage of those participants who had to experience Thai massage had lower back pain. The researchers found that those who had lower back pain also had improved health because of improved immune function. This study is significant because it is the first known evidence that regular Thai massage can relieve pain and improve general health in the elderly.

When Thai massage is done by an experienced practitioner, it can help loosen up tight and fatigued muscles. Many Thai professionals perform their sessions in a quite position much like that of a yoga-like poses. The practitioner uses their hands, elbows, wrists and even feet to work in conjunction with one another so as to execute deep muscle relaxation and increased circulation throughout the body. Many times, the practitioner will rotate their body weight to work on problematic regions of the body. Additional advantages that Thai massage may provide includes reducing stress and enhancing the body's immune system.

Throughout a Thai massage, the practitioner will use both hands in very specific ways to target a variety of regions of the body. 1 technique that is commonly used is kneading. This is done by placing pressure on specific areas of the elbow, shoulders, back and other stiff muscles in the shoulders and neck. The kneading movements may also target specific parts of the lower back. Normally, the kneading movement is made to help stretch tight muscles in the neck and shoulders.


Another technique widely used during Thai massage could be stretching. The practitioner will stretch out the legs using their elbows while holding onto the opposite elbow. The practitioner will repeat stretching down the leg with the hands, eventually winding up at the toes. It is important to note that stretching should be done slowly and gently so as to prevent any pulled muscles.

During Thai massage therapy, the therapist may position themselves between the patient's legs. This will allow them to get a better vantage point of where the aches and pains are , plus they can move around more easily, making the therapy more efficient. For those people who are uncomfortable using their feet placed on the floor, many therapists make sure that you place a small mat on the ground adjacent to the massage table.

To complete the techniques, the practitioner can apply pressure to certain muscles or joints. When doing so, they'll use both thumbs and fingers. Massaging the specific muscle or joint can be useful as it helps to release tightness, while extending the muscle or joint to be able to increase flexibility. It's important to keep in mind that the application of Thai massage therapy should only be performed by trained and certified professionals. If you are suffering from a condition or injury that restricts your mobility, it's best to consult with a licensed physical therapist before having this sort of exercise performed.
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