Unveiling the Secrets of Techniques & Tools Used During Thai Massage

picture of buddha towels candles like with a thai massageIn today’s busy modern world, stress is a common and unwelcome companion that affects us all on a daily basis. One of the most effective ways to reduce and counter this chronic, persistent stress is with holistic, relaxing Thai massage. Originating in Thailand, it is now considered a large part of its cultural heritage and practiced worldwide including here in York England. This unique style makes use of your therapist’s hands, arms, knees and feet during treatment.  The massage techniques used in this style blend soothing touch, relaxing compression by rolling over muscles, comfortable stretching, rhythmic rocking and pressing. Thai Yoga Massage is a mindful practice that has been likened to having yoga done to you, in a rhythmic dance. In this article I will unveil some of the secrets behind Thai massage for you. Enjoy learning about ancient Thai massage methods and the proven benefits they can offer you on both a physical and emotional level.

Tools of Thai Massage: Hands Arms Feet and Knees Are Used

Traditional Thai massage distinguishes itself through the use many different parts of the therapist’s body against the client’s body during treatment. This holistic methodology means your therapists hands, arms, knees and clean feet are used to provide a truly comprehensive and multifaceted journey of relaxation. Each tool serves many purposes, and they will all be adapted to meet your specific, individual needs.

Picture of male therpist using hands and elbows during thai yoga massage treatment on a massage table.Hands with their dexterity and sensitivity are perfect feeling for issues in your Sen (body energy) lines. The thumbs, knuckles and fingers can be used to press and dismiss any blockages found. This also means many smaller muscles that are quite deep can be targeted directly. The palms are used to press muscles which warms them up increasing blood flow. This allows for precise manipulation of smaller muscle groups and areas that require a gentler touch. When deeper pressure is needed, the arms, particularly the forearms and elbows, come into play. These parts of the body are ideal for addressing larger muscle groups and can release tension that lies deeper within the tissues.

Soothing Thai Massage Using Your Therapists Feet

Using feet to massage someones legs during thai massage treatmentFeet are a unique tool used in Thai Yoga massage that set it apart from all others. Your therapist makes use his clean feet to apply rhythmic pressure over a wider area. This soothing rhythm of pressing and releasing creates comforting pressure which is useful in aiding lymph and blood circulation. Feet are used mainly on your legs while you are laid prone (face down). So, it can reduce the tightness and stiffness in your calf muscles, hamstrings and glutes (buttocks). Feet are a distinctive and therapeutic tool indeed that makes this ancient massage style distinctive from all others.

Knees can also be used carefully when a lot of pressure is required. This is particularly useful on larger clients with more muscle. Your therapist’s body weight is applied carefully to your feet or buttocks for example. It takes a great deal of skill and can make the feeling you get during your treatment here distinctive and wonderful. If you have never tried it, now is the time. Call or text 07979 814388 to book in today!  

4 Core Techniques of Thai Yoga Massage Explained

The heart of Thai massage techniques are the 4 core methods of stretching, pressing, rolling and rocking. Different therapists will have different opinions on this but, these are the techniques I find are used most. Each one of these has a fundamental role in boosting your physical well-being and returning balance to energies within your body. They can be used in combination during a what can be called a rhythmic, rocking, dance during a full body treatment. They can also be uniquely tailored to suit your individual requirements. The mixing of stretching, pressing, and rocking techniques allows your therapist to address your areas of muscle tension or discomfort. In doing so this will promote overall health, well-being and relaxation.   

Assisted Yoga - Thai Massage Stretching

Thai Massage book coverStretching in traditional Thai massage can be seen as assisted yoga. It is also known as traction in other styles as you are putting gentle pressure on joints to aid many aspects of its function. Your therapist helps you to do several comfortable stretches of different limbs and body parts. One of the most famous techniques is assisted Cobra, where your arms are pulled behind you and your torso is arched upward to the sky. The aim here is to increase flexibility and range of motion in joints. This technique can also relieve muscle stiffness, improve your posture and improve your body’s general mobility. Also let’s consider, the benefits of stretching according to Prof Deshmukh (2019) are manifold. They include increased circulation, better flexibility, greater range of motion, decreased stress and reduction in lower back pains. You can get these benefits and more by calling for Yoga Massage stretching session today 07979 814388

thjumbs pressing a trigger point on scapulaPressing involves the application of pressure on specific points along the body’s Sen (chi) energy lines. By locating blockages (trigger points) your therapist finds along these energy pathways, pressing can helps to release them. The improved chi energy flow can aid in recovery from any tense muscles, aches, pains and promote relaxation. Pressing with palms, forearms and feet targets mainly superficial, surface muscles. The use of elbow, knee, finger, thumb and knuckles presses into deeper layers of muscle. Your therapist will feel your relief from muscles tension as you relax. This all contributes to a positive sense of overall well-being.

rolling forearm over glutes during Thai massageRolling is done by your therapist using the forearm over a large muscle or muscle group. These areas include the upper and lower legs, the upper arms and the glutes. There should be little tension in the arm as it is placed on, let’s say the glutes (as pictured). The hand should be limp as the forearm is rolled across the muscles assisting body fluids (lymph, blood, intracellular fluids) to flow. The compression of muscle tissue should be gentle but, can feel wonderful as I am sure you can imagine. Using triangulation, your therapist body weight applies gentle pressure, and you will feel warmth of body heat as healing energy is transfer to you.

Rocking is a gentler technique when compared to stretching or pressing. It employs gentle, rhythmic, oscillations which can soothe your nervous system and encourage you into a meditative state of deep relaxation. Rocking can be done with the hands, feet or forearms on large areas of muscle. Traditional Thai Yoga massage is renowned for the use of rocking using the feet on the back of your upper and lower legs. This method is remarkably helpful for those who are highly stressed or anxious, because the dance like, rhythmic, rocking motion helps to calm both mind and body togther.

References:

Apfelbaum A (2004) Thai Massage: Sacred Body Work Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Chatchawan U et al (2015) The efficacy of traditional Thai massage for the treatment of chronic pain: A systematic review [online] available from  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388115000080 last access 25/10/2024

Prof Deshmukh V (2019) Health Benefits Of Stretching [online} available from https://aiirjournal.com/uploads/Articles/2019/05/3818_26.Prof.%20Vijay%20Y.%20Deshmukh.pdf last access 24/10/2024

Roberts N et al (2023) Standardised 25-Step Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) Protocol for Treating Office Syndrome (OS) [online] available from https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/12/6159 last access 22/10/2024

Roylance D et al (2011) Encyclopedia of Thai Massage: A Complete Guide to Traditional Thai Massage Therapy and Acupressure Inner Traditions/Bear & Company. Kindle Edition.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *