Recent research has revealed that Thai massage is associated with many health benefits, such as improved circulation, improved range of motion, and reduced stress levels. This ancient practice has been backed by modern science, showing that it can reduce the severity of headaches, decrease lower back and joint pain, increase flexibility, ease anxieties, and energize the mind and body. A 2004 study even 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. Like Tai Chi and Yoga, Thai massage therapy (TTM) is both a moving meditation and a massage.
Traditional Thai massage is done without oil and with clothes on, but in the West, many practitioners offer a mixed treatment that combines Thai principles with a relaxing oil massage. It all depends on what you're looking for: if you want a relaxing experience, opt for Swedish massage; if you're looking for something more intense and dynamic, Thai massage is the way to go. Traditional Thai massage requires more active participation than other types of massages. You may be pushed, posed, and moved; this is not the type of relaxing massage where you fall asleep. Many people also find that massage is an effective treatment for depression, as it improves posture and mood by increasing serotonin levels in the body.
Thai massage has been shown to stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic circulation through the use of stretches, which fill body tissues with oxygen and promote healthy cell growth and good heart health. The receptors are guided through a series of yoga-like stretches, as well as a combination of abdominal work, breathing signals, deep tissue massage, and applying pressure to specific points on the body. Feeling sore after a massage is quite common, especially if you've had a deep tissue massage or other type of massage that requires a lot of pressure. Brain scans of people who received Thai massage treatments showed more relaxation and much less anxiety than people who underwent physical therapy treatments for the same conditions. If you have stiff joints, tight muscles, and generally feel a little exhausted, a Thai massage might help. Some people also experience muscle pain after a Thai massage, but given the high impact of the treatment, this is normal and usually nothing to worry about.
Thai massage therapy is an ancient method of healing and usually involves using the therapist's hands to apply pressure to the muscles after heating them by rubbing them gently. Of course, there are particular issues when talking about such an experiential process as receiving a massage, especially when you want to apply some measure of scientific evidence to the subject. Any time of the day is perfect for a massage and many massage lovers like nothing more than relaxing at sunset, whether with a beachfront treat or spa therapy in the comfort of a luxury vacation villa for rent surrounded by nature. Deep tissue massage tends to be quite specific while Thai massage is more of a full body experience. It's also done fully clothed on a padded mat on the floor with a flexible therapist who will guide you.
