Thai massage, which originated in India, has been around for over 2,500 years. Originally regarded as a healing art, traditional Thai massage includes influences from both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.
Unlike typical Western-type massages, it doesn’t involve lying on a massage bed while a massage therapist applies oil to your body and kneads your muscles and pressure points.
Instead, you lie fully clothed on a mat on the ground while a practitioner uses stretching, pulling, and rocking techniques to relieve tension, promote relaxation, and improve flexibility and circulation.
Sometimes referred to as assisted yoga, Thai massage is focused on improving the flow of energy throughout your body. A Thai massage is one of our most popular services offered here at our massage spa in New York.
What are the benefits of traditional Thai massage?
Thai massage can benefit your health in numerous ways, many of which are supported by scientific studies.
Below, we explore six key benefits that are supported by research.
-
Relieves headaches
If you have migraines or experience tension headaches, traditional Thai massage may help ease your symptoms.
In several studies with patients who suffer from chronic headaches, researchers found that Thai massage reduced the intensity of both migraines and tension headaches.
If you’re interested in trying this as a remedy for headache relief, it’s worth noting that researchers concluded that the benefits of Thai massage could last anywhere from several days to around 15 weeks.
-
Reduces back pain
Thai massage may be an effective means of reducing back pain.
Research in Thailand studied the effects of Thai massage on a group of 120 people with nonspecific low back pain. Half the test group was treated with Thai massage and the rest with other conservative management techniques that included joint mobilization (a technique that involves applying pressure), hot packs, and manual stretching to painful areas.
Both groups were treated twice a week for 4 weeks, and both groups had significant pain relief.
Other studies have found that Thai massage reduces back pain associated with trigger points (tight, painful muscle clusters) in the upper back.
-
Relieves joint stiffness and pain
Thai massage may improve your joint function if you experience pain and stiffness when you move.
In one study, researchers employed a program of Thai massage combined with wand exercises to study the effects on people with knee arthritis. The researchers found that the study participants felt less pain and walked with greater ease after the 8-week program.
In another study involving 60 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, researchers found that 3 weeks of Thai massage provided the same pain relief as 3 weeks of ibuprofen.
-
Increases flexibility and range of motion
If your range of motion and flexibility are affecting your athletic performance or making it hard to get around, Thai massage may help you move more easily.
Thirty-four soccer players were part of an experiment to test the effects of Thai massage on athletic performance. After receiving Thai massage three times in a 10-day period, the soccer players showed significant improvement in their ability to do sit-and-reach tests.
Researchers hypothesize that the increase in flexibility may be because Thai massage has the ability to improve blood flow and oxygen supply to muscles. This, in turn, may help reduce pain and decrease muscle adhesions.
The researchers also found that the Thai massage treatments improved the players’ speed and agility on the field.
-
Eases anxiety
One of the most appealing aspects of massage therapy is the sense of calm and relaxation it can bring.
Although Thai massage is more energetic than other forms of massage therapy, it has been shown to lower anxiety and increase a systemic feeling of calm. Studies have found that people who receive Thai massage test lower on measures of psychological stress following treatment.
Brain scans of people who received Thai massage treatments showed more relaxation and much lower anxiety than people who underwent physical therapy treatments for the same conditions.
-
Revives energy
Thai massage incorporates whole body movements, many of which are yoga-like. For that reason, many people report that they leave Thai massage sessions feeling not only relaxed but also rejuvenated. In one study, researchers compared the effects of Thai massage and Swedish massage on people who were fatigued. They interviewed these participants after their massages and found that those who had Thai massage felt mentally invigorated and physically energized. Please note that the study size was small, so more research needs to be done to confirm these results.
The bottom line?
Thai massage is an ancient practice with many benefits that are supported by modern science. It may reduce the severity of your headaches, decrease lower back and joint pain, increase your flexibility, calm your anxieties, and energize your mind and body.
Thai massage isn’t a passive treatment. Your practitioner will move you through a gradual series of yoga-like positions in addition to working on the tension in your muscles. This is a treatment that is one of a kind with many great benefits! Come through to Knead NYC to experience a Thai Massage in NYC, one of the Best Thai Massage NYC.
Whether it is for you or you want to treat a loved one to these benefits, book your
Thai massage with us today at
https://bit.ly/3SshyUR
#thaimassage #massagespanewyork
