Traditional Thai Massage
Traditional Thai massage therapists near you
How can traditional Thai massage nourish you?
Traditional Thai massage (TTM) is a deep, full-body treatment that combines pressure techniques and stretching or rocking manoeuvres[1], often starting at the feet and progressing up to the head. It aims to enrich both the body and soul by strengthening the muscles, restoring energy, and relaxing the mind and body.
TTM has been practised for over 2500 years[2] and was influenced by the healing systems found in China, India and Southeast Asia[3]. These origins make it one with deep spiritual roots, in addition to physical therapy. Some academics believe a key element of TTM is borne from the Buddhist healing principle of “giving from two hands and the heart[4]”, which involves the therapist focusing energies in their hands and sending loving-kindness or compassion from their heart to the other person.
The focus of TTM is on creating harmony and balance[5] in the body, which is achieved by focusing the massage along the ten main ‘sen’ (or energy) lines through which the body’s life force flows. It is believed that the pressing and massaging along these sen lines removes energy blockages[6], eliminates pain and restores normal tissue mobility[7].
To ensure you receive the highest standard of treatment, choose a practitioner registered with a professional association such as Massage & Myotherapy Australia[8]. This national organisation is committed to upholding excellence in practice, accepting only massage therapists with formal qualifications and requiring its members to abide by its code of ethics.
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Practitioners offering Traditional Thai Massage
Benefits of traditional Thai massage
Well-known benefits include lowered stress levels and increased blood circulation.[9] Research into the clinical effectiveness of TTM is continuing worldwide although it has been reported to assist with chronic back pain, which is a leading cause of disability worldwide[10]. Studies also suggest it can be as effective as joint mobilisation [11]in bringing about short-term reduction in lower back pain.
A clinical study found that administering traditional Thai Massage to basketball players[12] during match breaks decreased anxiety, increased mental clarity and the movement and elasticity in athletes’ joints and muscles – leading to improved performance in the second half of the game.
The physical effects of TTM have also been shown to positively impact the walking ability of those with knee osteoarthritis; and increase upper limb muscle strength in patients with Parkinson’s disease[13]. There is also evidence to show it may provide psychological benefits for people experiencing depression[14] by causing a reduction in their heart rate and anxiety.
Traditional Thai massage may assist in relieving symptoms related to:
What to expect from a traditional Thai massage session
Before a session begins, a qualified therapist should ask you questions about your health history and obtain your informed consent[15] to the treatment. You should also inform your therapist of any injuries or areas that cause you concern. To prepare for the session, you are likely to be asked to wear or change into comfortable clothing to aid movement during the massage.
A session generally lasts between an hour or two, and is often performed in a quiet and meditative environment[16] to allow you to fully relax. Unlike other forms of massage such as remedial massage, TTM is often performed on the floor, with you actively participating in the massage[17] to facilitate the stretching. Therapists may also use ‘the hands, elbows, knees and feet in unique and innovative ways’ during the massage to achieve the desired effect.
Traditional Thai massage differs from other massage techniques in that oil is not usually applied[18], except to heal certain conditions such as muscle trauma. You may also be offered the option to have heat applied, for example through sauna treatment or herbal compresses, as the application of heat is believed to aid blood flow[19] to any affected areas.
As with any exercise or wellness program, please consult your medical professional before commencing traditional Thai massage. If you have an injury, health issue, or any concerns at all, do advise your therapist who will be happy to address these and make sure the session is personalised to your individual requirements.
References
1. Thai Massage. Massage & Myotherapy Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
2. Traditional Thai Massage. AMTS; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
4. Briciu B, Prompitak K. EDUCATING THE HEART: MINDFULNESS AND COMPASSION IN THE STUDY AND PRACTICE OF THAI MASSAGE. Semantic Scholar; 2016.
5. Traditional thai massage: unveiling the misconceptions and revealing the health benefits. Thai Healing Alliance; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
6. Turrell C. The birthplace of traditional Thai massage. BBC; 2020.
7. Laosee O, Sritoomma N, Wamontree P, Rattanapan C, Sitthi-Amorn C. The effectiveness of traditional Thai massage versus massage with herbal compress among elderly patients with low back pain: A randomised controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine; 2019.
8. Home. Massage & Myotherapy Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
9. Eske J. What are the potential health benefits of Thai massage? Medical News Today; 2024.
10. The Global Burden of Low Back Pain. The International Association on the Study of Pain (IASP); 2021.
11. Juntakarn C MA, Prasartritha T MD, Petrakard P MD. The effectiveness of thai massage and joint mobilization. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Research Education & Practice; 2017.
12. Kaesaman N. THE ACUTE EFFECT OF TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE ON RECOVERY FROM FATIGUE IN BASKETBALL PLAYERS. International Journal of Geomate; 2019.
13. Gait Analysis of Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Before and After Thai Massage Treatment. ACM Digital Library; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
14. Sripongngam T, Eungpinichpong W, Sirivongs D, Kanpittaya J, Tangvoraphonkchai K, Chanaboon S. Immediate effects of traditional thai massage on psychological stress as indicated by salivary Alpha-Amylase levels in healthy persons. Medical Science Monitor Basic Research/Medical Science Monitor Basic Research; 2015.
15. Home. Massage & Myotherapy Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
16. Thai Massage. Natural Therapy Pages; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
17. Eske J. What are the potential health benefits of Thai massage? Medical News Today; 2024.
18. Thai Massage. Massage & Myotherapy Australia; [cited on 2024 Nov 29].
19. Laosee O, Sritoomma N, Wamontree P, Rattanapan C, Sitthi-Amorn C. The effectiveness of traditional Thai massage versus massage with herbal compress among elderly patients with low back pain: A randomised controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine; 2019.