Your body is an energy system: an Eastern approach to healing

According to Eastern medicine, the root cause of physical and mental disorders is a disruption of vital energy flow in the human body. This flow can be manipulated and activated through special energy-balancing techniques, with the most popular being point pressure massage, acupuncture, cupping, yoga poses, and meditation. In the Western world, massage is mostRead more ⟶

7 tips to prevent spine injury during traditional Thai massage

If you are in Thailand, do not trust your spine to those who offer “authentic Thai massage” at very touristic spots. A skilled Thai massage therapist would never wander the beach looking for clients or provide a “relaxation massage” at the adult entertainment area. These are unqualified amateurs who are doing it. Therefore, they don’tRead more ⟶

Why joints crack in Thai massage

If your joints make cracking, popping, or grinding noise during a Thai massage, it’s not a cause for concern in itself. In most cases, these sounds occur because either air bubbles form and collapse in the joint cavity, or strained tendons and ligaments slide over the bony surfaces. When done by a professionally trained therapist,Read more ⟶

Thai massage contraindications

Thai massage is known as one of the most energy-boosting types of massage, where the receiver’s muscles and joints are vigorously squeezed and stretched by a massage therapist to disperse blood and lymph along the energetic pathways. It also requires the body to be treated to spend a lot of energy. In some conditions, this can cause serious harm to health.

The styles of traditional Thai massage

There are two general styles of traditional Thai massage: Northern with the center in Chiang Mai and Southern with the center in Bangkok. They adhere core principles but differ in origin and the techniques of preference. More laid back Northern Style is largely based on Indian yoga and Ayurveda and so mainly focuses on stretching and physical manipulations. More invigorating Southern style has a greater Chinese influence and usually focuses on acupressure and stimulating of energy pathways. Also, both styles can be performed in two variations called Royal and Folk Thai Massage, with different degree of a “courtesy”.

Differences between Western and Thai massage

Western-type massages, the most common of which is Swedish massage, are based on modern anatomy and physiology. Their primary purpose is to induce a state of relaxation through the manipulation of soft tissues and muscles. Western massage is mostly performed on the massage table using soft and rhythmic movements. It is often done with oil, so the patient should be getting naked or wearing little clothing.

Just like Chinese Tuina, Japanese Shiatsu, and other Eastern-type massages, Thai massage is integral bodywork based on the energy line model. Its purpose is to promote overall health and wellness by applying acupressure, stretching, and compression techniques to the areas where invisible energy is flowing through the body. Thai massage is performed on the floor mat and the patient remains fully clothed.

Thai massage: a short guide to the ancient healing art

Thai therm “Nuad Thai” is commonly translated as “Thai Massage”, which often makes this practice erroneously equated to what is meant by “massage” in the Western world. Not just a manipulation of muscles and bones, but deep energy work. The differences between Western and Thai massage It is massage indeed, but so much more. NuadRead more ⟶