The Benefits of Thai Massage: Is it Good for You?

The ancient practice of Thai Massage (TTM) has been around for centuries, and modern science has backed up its many benefits. It can reduce the severity of headaches, decrease lower back and joint pain, increase flexibility, ease anxieties and energize the mind and body. It is a moving meditation that combines compression, acupressure and passive stretching to improve the range of motion of the joints and muscles. It can also improve your posture.

Thai massage has its origins in Buddhism, with influences from China, Japan and India. It was invented by Buddha's doctor about 2,500 years ago. Scientific and clinical research does not support the benefits of 100% Thai massage, but there is no doubt that there is a highly subjective element in the technique. A 2004 study found a significant improvement in the mental well-being of patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain when treated with massage, compared to treatment with relaxation tapes.

Thai massage can benefit your health in many ways. It can help reduce stress levels and improve general circulation by gradually moving the person through different positions similar to yoga. This will improve people's flexibility, allowing for a greater range of motion and reducing stress and muscle tension. Half of the test group received treatment with Thai massage and the rest with other conservative management techniques that included joint mobilization, hot compresses and manual stretching to sore areas.

After receiving a Thai massage three times in a 10-day period, soccer players showed a significant improvement in their ability to do sitting and stretching exercises. Deep relaxation has also been shown to promote a deeper and more restful nighttime sleep, allowing your body to heal physically and allowing you to feel more refreshed when you wake up. Thai massage has many benefits for the individual, including improved personal perspective and emotional state. Although no EEG study has been conducted on Thai massage, my hypothesis is that brain wave activity changes throughout the different stages of Thai massage and, in fact, in different styles. Traditional Thai massage has been shown to provide some improvement to stereotypical behaviors in autistic children. There are many qualified and licensed traditional Thai massage therapists here in the United States, although it is considerably more expensive. TTM professionals are currently regulated by Thailand's Ministries of Education and Public Health, although there is limited oversight in other countries. Whenever possible, seek out the almost legendary skills of hereditary teachers during your trip to Thailand.

With such low prices for a renowned masseuse to work with you, it is hard to pass up this opportunity! During most of the massages I received on my trip to Thailand, I wore loose clothing provided by the spa instead of going completely naked like I do during deep tissue massages. Learn what a lingam massage is, how to give yourself or your partner a lingam massage and some of the benefits of this tantric massage therapy. The massage therapist usually sets the postures while you're lying down before gently pushing and pulling your limbs to stretch and release your muscles - so lie back and trust your therapist!Thai massage is an ancient practice with many benefits backed by modern science. It can help relax your body and mind while improving your posture, flexibility, circulation and overall well-being.

Tiffany Greenhalgh
Tiffany Greenhalgh

Freelance zombie buff. Award-winning travel enthusiast. Alcohol ninja. Extreme coffee junkie. Certified social media lover.