uk Therapy

What is Thai Massage?

Thai massage is an ancient healing art thought to have traveled from India to Thailand some 2500 years ago, developing into the system used in Thailand today. Until fairly recently it was a restricted art, only practiced in Buddhist temples where it was regarded as a spiritual healing system utilising invisible energy lines that run through the body.

Alongside this spiritual system massage and stretching techniques developed amongst agricultural workers who, due to the physical nature of their work, developed muscles and joints that became very tight and sore. These techniques were passed onto their children and continued to develop over time.

The modern version of Thai Massage is a combination of these techniques. Unlike the scooping and continuous strokes of Western massage, the Thai method uses point pressure, muscle stretching and compression, done in a rhythmic movement of gentle rocking.

What are the benefits?

This is a truly unique form of massage that promotes flexibility, stretches and tones muscles, treats muscular ailments, balances energies and provides deep relaxation. It also gives enormous release of muscular tension, releases congested toxins and promotes feelings of energy and well being. It aids breathing and circulation and helps to improve flexibility and alignment, reduces stress, and improves posture. It is also an effective form of self-development, enhancing vitality, body awareness and sense of well-being.

Thai Massage is more than a physical experience, it is a two-way exchange of energies between the client and the therapist and can have a deeply therapeutic effect at times being a meditative experience.What happens during a session?

Thai Massage is a powerful massage therapy which combines acupressure, gentle stretching and applied yoga. It is full clothed full body technique that is conducted on the floor. Hands, thumbs, feet and elbows are used and important energy lines (called Sen lines) are stimulated and the body is moved through a sequence of gentle yoga based stretches. Some of these stretches are shown in the photographs in this article but it must be noted that the therapist will gently guide the client onto them, taking them as far as the client feels comfortable with.

How often do I need to have a treatment?

A single Thai Massage can bring instant relief to many ailments. Regular treatments can be used to combat more acute or longer established problems or to increase flexibility and stretch and tone muscles. It is also an effective treatment for anyone who regularly trains or participates in sports as often muscles are over-worked and shorten, Thai massage can loosen and stretch these muscles to relieve the symptom associated with this overworking and increase flexibility.

Jan Wojtowicz offers Thai Massage, Indian Head Massage and Reiki in Swindon, Wiltshire and surrounding areas, and is a Reiki master teacher.

0770 8028525.
alternative-health@tiscali.co.uk
www.discovering-health.com