The Healing Benefits of Traditional Thai Massage

Thai massage

, also known as Nuad Phaen Boran, is an ancient massage that involves not only deep muscle massage, but stretching, elements of shiatsu, yoga, and acupressure as well. Nuad Phaen Boran actually translates into “ancient massage” or “traditional massage.”

Traditional Thai massage has been practised for over 2,500 years. It not only relaxes the body, but the mind as well. It actually began in India. The Buddhist monks practised both massage and other healing arts. This spread to families and as Buddhism spread to Asia, the traditional Thai massage became a part of both the religious and healing part of the religion. It is believed that traditional Thai massage made it to Thailand around the 3rd or 2nd century BC. Many times, monastery temples were built near medical schools so the art of massage was taught among both monks and medical students.

Traditional Thai massage focuses on the experience of the whole body. It works on the major energy lines, known as ‘Sen’. These Sen run throughout the body. By loosening blockages, the massage will help harmonize the body and recoup any deficiencies of the energy lines. Just as Chinese medicine uses acupuncture to help revive health, traditional Thai massage uses a similar system of pressure points to help heal and relieve stress. The Prana, or life energy, is allows to freely circulate through the body.

Traditional Thai massage has many benefits. Whether you are the receiver of the massage or the giver of the massage, you can feel joy, ease, and comfort. The massage will open up your chakras, allowing you to have a more peaceful mind as well as benefiting your health.

The giver of the traditional Thai massage also will receive generosity, compassion, equanimity, the feeling of oneness, the feeling of loving kindness, and the pride that can only be felt by a healer. The receiver will feel the joy of receiving as well as a calmness of rest and a refreshed spirit. Physically, the receiver feels a general increase in energy due to the opening of Sen and other blocked areas in the body. They will also feel relief from pain and muscle tension, blood and lymph circulation is improved, and the nervous system is balanced. An increase in flexibility is also possible.

Traditional Thai massage is a floor massage. The receiver usually is asked to lay on a pad or light mattress. By lying on the floor, the practitioner can easily manipulate the limbs of the receiver. Massages are given in silence, so the practitioner can better understand what the receiver needs are while the receiver can concentrate on learning about himself and his body. Practitioners start at the feet and moves toward the receiver’s head, making the body feel loosened and stretched. A massage can last between two and three hours. Sometimes it combines techniques used in western physical therapies such as Neuromuscular

therapy, Myofascial Release Techniques, and Remedial massage. Traditional Thai massage is great for athletes as it keeps them flexible and helps prevent and treat injuries. It also helps improve the flexibility and mobility of the handicapped.



November 13, 2009
By Annalisa Zisman
Annalisa Zisman, a proficient author and tutor, she is a leading practitioner for many massage courses. Annalisa specializes in Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot and Thai Herbal Compress Massage techniques.

Thai Massage

The Most Popular Types Of Asian Massage

Tremendous massage techniques have been developed in both India and the Far East over the centuries. The Asian massage is still very popular for both relaxation and as a therapy around the world. Countless people have used this type of massage for centuries with tremendous health benefits.

The Thai Massage

The Thai massage originated in India. This type of massage combines guided stretching and Meridian pressure techniques with Pranayama breathing. Dr. Shivago K. introduced it to Thailand back in Buddah's time, dating back about 2500 years ago. The Pranayama breathing technique is meant for cleansing the body and strengthening the nervous system. Pranayama Raising also helps in boosting the immune system, concentration, and focusing as well as more efficient oxidation of the blood. The massage area it is either on a mat or a firm mattress on the floor. The person is made to practice yoga like positions during the course of the massage. After the session, most people find that the Thai massage has helped them feel both relaxed and refreshed.

The Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu hails from the Japanese words shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure. This is in other type of Asian massage that was developed in the Far East, originating in Japan. It's a very popular form of massage that uses thumb pressure, fingers and palms. It works along the energy meridians in the body, similar to that as acupressure. There are tremendous health benefits derived from the Shiatsu massage; benefits such as rebalancing of bone system, enhance balance of the nervous system, improvement in circulatory function and greater flexibility of skin and muscle.

The Chinese Tui Na Massage

Tui Na is a form of Chinese manipulative therapy developed over 5000 years ago. This type of massage is often used in conjunction with acupuncture, Chinese herbalism another health related therapies. The essence of this massage lies in the applying of pressure to the body at certain key points. It employs a series of tapping, pressing and kneading with the therapist's palms, knuckles, fingertips or certain implements that will help remove blockages along the meridians of the body.

The end result is the stimulation of the flow of qi (natural respiration of the body) and blood to promote healing. Tui Na Massage is used as a treatment for both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as certain non-musculoskeletal conditions. This type of treatment has far fewer negative side effects that many of the modern drug-based and chemical-based treatments use today in our western culture.

The Javanese Massage

The Javanese massage originated from Indonesia. It is another significant type of Asian massage. This uses all parts of the therapist's hand, which includes the knuckles, fingers and palms to knead and massage the muscles. This treatment is a facilitated by using massage oil. The Javanese massage helps release tension, alleviates back pain and helps in the healing of fractures. This is probably the most robust (and even painful) type of Asian massage there is. However, it has tremendous benefits for your overall health and well-being.



October 29, 2009
By Kerry Ng
Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Massage Info Blog. For more great helpful information about massages visit http://www.massageinfoblog.com

Thai Massage

Thai Massage Benefits

Unlike the Swedish massage of the West which concentrates on the physical aspect of the body through kneading of muscles, the Thai massage uses a combination of techniques that is found in western physiotherapy such as trigger point treatments, myofascial techniques, neuromuscular therapy and manual therapy.

Thai massage is a deep full-body treatment which starts at the feet and gradually progresses up to the head, by using gentle flowing exercise movements whereby the recipient’s body is moved, loosened and stretched. The energetic aspect of this massage is also focused by acupressure application along the energy lines of the body to restore the flow of energy throughout the body with the purpose to harmonize and energize.

It is considered as a healing art as the procedure includes a combination of yoga stretching, the stillness of meditation, with acupressure, exercise movement and reflexology. The client is allowed to dress comfortably and is worked on a floor. Not only hands are used, feet and elbows are also utilized as well to free tension trapped in the recipient’s body. The benefits of this unique massage range from physical, mental to psychological.

Among many physical benefits that can be brought about by this massage are detoxification of the body, immune system boosting, blood circulation stimulation, muscle relaxation, muscle flexibility and mobility stimulation, breathing improvements, posture improvements, and anti-aging promoting. Mental benefits that can be experienced include an improved outlook towards life, increase focus, creativity and mind clarity.

Psychological effects as a result from Thai massage can be seen through as it helps to reduce and relieve stress and anxiety, increase inner energy levels, increase self control, discipline and overall natural confidence. With regular sessions of Thai massage, you will be giving your body and mind the relaxing and invigoration experience that they crave.



October 6, 2009
By Alina Michael
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What Should You Know About Foot Massage

After a tiring day whether it is at work or simply shopping when you return home the first thing that you notice is that your feet are killing you. The simplest thing that you can do to relieve this pain is to sit down and take your shoes off. This takes away the immediate pains. Then you wriggle your feet and toes to restore the blood circulation in your feet. This helps a little more but to give your entire foot total relief having a foot massage is sheer bliss.

A loved one or even you can provide the benefits of a foot massage. The main things that you need will be a comfortable place to keep your foot on, creams, oils, essential oils that are used for massages and your favorite soft mood music or even a meditation CD.

To give yourself a foot massage you will first need to get your feet clean and dry including between the toes. You can if you want to soak them in a foot bath with Epsom salts. This foot bath will de-stress you so that you feel even more relaxed. Next rub your massage oil onto your foot.

Holding your foot that is in your lap gently in one hand to support it, with the other hand begin to massage the top part of your foot. Use your thumbs for this massage. Use slow, firm stroking motions that start at the toes and move upward towards the ankles. Once you come to the ankles following the same path massage your way down to your toes. The pressure of the massage must be lighter than at the ankle. Repeat this foot massage 5 times.

Next gently hold the heel of your foot in a cupping motion. With your other hand hold the top of the foot and gently rotate the foot first clockwise and after anticlockwise. Do this 3 to 4 times to relax, calm and de-stress the foot, ankle joints and your senses. Do this foot massage gently so that you don't hurt yourself.

Now still holding your foot in one hand, with the other hand, massage the sole of your foot with the thumb. Begin at the base of your big toe and slowly move towards the other toes. Use gentle rolling motions to give the ball of your foot a relaxing foot massage.

You can then knead your foot. Here you will use your thumb or the finger tips to give the massage. Knead the sole of the foot in a back and forth motion. With your knuckles "Knead" the second joints of your foot. Use large pressing and rotating motions but be gentle.

By the time you will have ended your foot spa massage not only will your feet feel good but you will have calmed down and your day's stresses will have vanished as well. Instant bliss.



September 15, 2009
By Anne Hoston
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What Is Traditional Thai Massage

Traditional Thai Massage (TTM) has a long history of over 2,500 years. It originated as a distillation of Indian Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese healing arts into a yoga-based method based on lines, points and remedies. The Thai system, to the present day, is based on these primary energy lines (meridians) and wind gates (chakras). TTM system of Ayurvedic medicine owes much of its early systematization, preservation, and subsequent propagation to ascetic Buddhists and their monastic institution. Throughout the ages, the practitioners of this medicine were Therevada Buddhist monks, practicing their healing at the monasteries.

As Thailand is located along the trade routes between India and China and Buddhism spreads out from India, this healing medicine spread along with it. It found its way to Southeast Asia where, for centuries, it was practiced by monks as one element of indigenous Thai medicine. Thai people, believing illness results from an imbalance in the body, mind and spirit would then seek healing at their local temples.

Evolution of Thai Massage

The evolution of Thai massage is shrouded in the mystery of time caused by the destruction of written records during the Burmese invasion of the Siamese capital of Ayutthaya in 1767. However,the influenced of yoga, ayurvedic medicine, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is obvious, as the movements are based on the asanas of yoga, and the attention to pressure points is similar to the nadis of Ayurveda and the meridians of Chinese medicine. Buddhist monks and nuns would later integrate any beneficial medical system to the one brought from India.

The influence from China, India and other surrounding countries has played an important role in enriching the existing Massage System. As a result of modernization and western influences, traditional Thai massage which earlier was practiced in Buddhist temples by monks and nuns is no longer limited to the temples and its vicinities.

Benefits of Traditional Thai Massage

TTM is beneficial for both the young or old, active or inactive, healthy or not so healthy. TTM has been used for countless generations to treat degenerative conditions and promote wellness. However, each person will respond in terms of their own experience and present state of health. TTM builds upon the body's natural desire for complete health and a sense of ease and well-being.

The benefits of Thai Traditional Massage include pain relief, reduced anxiety, depression, reduced blood pressure and heart rate. Other benefits of TTM include blocking pain signals to the brain (gate control theory), activating the parasympathetic nervous system to stimulate the release of endorphins and serotonin, preventing fibrosis or scar tissue, increasing the flow of lymph, and improving sleep but these benefits have not been supported by extensive clinical studies.

(ArticlesBase ID #505043)



September 1, 2009
By Paul Hata
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Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/what-is-traditional-thai-massage-505043.html

Stress Relief From A Hand And Foot Massage

Stress is more of a problem than ever. Life has sped up so fast that many are stressed out trying to catch up. Some of the elements that seriously contribute to this ongoing problem are worldly concerns, financial difficulties, keeping up with everyone else’s expectations, marital problems, job insecurity, and much more…

The built up stress for many can cause a number of diseases, disorders, and early aging. Stress relief is more important than ever! Along with the increase of stress, much more understanding on relieving it has developed. One great way that can make a big difference is the hand and foot massage.

How might a Hand And Foot Massage Relieve Stress?

All along your stressful days and possibly nights, you spend a lot of time on your feet using your hands. They carry out a majority of your entire bodies works. With stress and fatigue, they impact how your whole body turns, works and moves as well. Stress adds up at these critical points. Reflexology on the hand and foot can relieve much of your daily stress. With the pain from every day life gone as a result of massage in these locations, can even cure certain types of diseases.

The hand and foot massage usually takes somewhere between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. This may vary on your mood as well as choices as to which massage parlor you have this reflexology performed on both hand and foot. While there you should be able to see a map of how your foot as well as hand effect stress relief along with pain throughout your body. You can see where this massage will help.

Your relaxation is required to make your hand and foot massage the most effective. Without you will probably not find the results of relief you want. The masseuse will often play relaxing music to help your mind go with the flow, allowing you to better concentrate on enjoying your hand and foot massage.

Among the other benefits of a hand and foot massage, include improvements to circulation, relief of accumulated pain from long driving, walking, and many other daily physical demands. You will be amazed at the results when you have a hand and foot massage from a professional provider.

You can investigate further on how a hand and foot massage is done, prior to having one of your own. There are many resources online and various books on the subject as well. You will find that along with the hand and foot, a massage is a great way to relieve all kinds of stress and muscle pains.

When you are ready to go for your hand and foot reflexology, be sure the massage parlor you choose is certified utilizing only qualified masseuses. This is important as you have probably found, since inexperienced rubs can actually cause damage and maybe even more pain.

With that all said, go and try a hand and foot massage today. See from your own experience what your opinion will be. Though you may find yourself hooked and unable to stop once started. Happier healthier life may be at stake though so have no fear of a hand and foot massage.



August 19, 2009
By Madison Taylor
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