In the Spa industry today there has been an increase of interest in offering Thai Massage as a lead product or service. For spas Thai massage offers a great product offering with high margins and very low overheads.
Thai massage is offered as a healing modality all over the world in both Spas and by gifted freelance therapist.
If you are looking to try out Thai Massage in your local spa, in Thailand or at home, here are a few things you need to know about it so you can enjoy and appreciate it more.
1. Thai massage originates in Buddhist India
A little known fact about Thai Massage is that its origins lie with Buddhist yogic principles that were evolved by Acharya Jivaka.
Jivaka was the personal physician of the Buddha 2500 years ago. As a meditator Jivaka developed on the principles of the SEN (Thai Massage meridians) through which the force of life flows.
This force is not some metaphysical thing but instead real and palpable phenomena. A good therapist can feel the flow of bio-mechanical tension, blood and neural activity along these SEN lines.
These principles spread with Buddhism to Southeast Asia over centuries where they merged with local healing traditions to become what is renowned the world over as Thai Massage.
2. What can Thai Massage help you with…
Stretching in Thai Massage
…You can relieve joint and muscular pain that arise from sports, fitness or occupational activities. Thai Massage also helps shake of depression, anxiety and stress which are quite common conditions in today’s world.
A well done Thai massage helps realign your posture and you will feel the buzz of improved circulation through your entire body.
Receiving frequent Thai massage can help you manage diabetes, hypertension, IBS, low back pain, cervical spondylitis better. A good Thai Massage session will loosen and relax your body so you feel more energetic through the day.
3. Thai massage is not a sexual service
Unfortunately unscrupulous operators have been offering sexual service in the name of Thai massage. This is largely the effect of explosive growth of the tourism industry in Thailand over the past few decades.
Originally Thai massage was practiced among monks in Buddhist monasteries in Thailand. Among civilians Thai Massage was practiced as a family art. Traditional Thai massage is done on a thin floor mat with both the receiver and the therapist fully dressed.
It involved compression, mobilization and stretching of the client’s body. Thai massage does not need to be done in a private room and can be done in the open.
In fact in Thailand it is quite common to have several dozens of Thai Massage therapists working openly on a sidewalk.
4. Thai massage is not for…
For those who have fever or cancer. Since Thai Massage increases blood circulation any kind of infection or malignant growth can spread beyond its original site and affect healthy tissue.
5. Things to tell you Thai Massage Therapist
Like any kind of massage modality, certain techniques of Thai massage are contraindicated for people with High blood pressure, heart disease, cerebral strokes, varicose veins, slip disc, menstruation, pregnancy, arthritis and osteoporosis.
So be sure to tell your therapist if you have any of these conditions so that your therapist can avoid contraindicated techniques so you can get a safe and customized Thai Massage session
6. Preparing for you Thai Massage session
Do check the training, qualification or experience of your therapist. Don’t be shy to ask questions since the therapist will be working on your body. Wear loose comfortable clothing made from natural fibers as they allow a good grip.
Some spas and therapist might ask you to wear Thai trousers and a shirt which is OK too. Do check with your doctor if you suffer from any of the condition mentioned above to see if it is safe for you to receive a Thai Massage.
