Traditional Thai massage differs from other types of massages in the following ways:
- The massage generally follows the imaginary designated lines ("sen") in the body.
- The therapist uses their hands (thumbs, elbows, forearms) and sometimes, even their feet to reduce tension in the muscles.
- The massage does not use oils or lotions.
- The therapist will move the person’s body into yoga-like positions (assisted yoga) in addition to pulling and rocking the body in various other ways. The combination of stretching, movement, and pressure distinguishes Thai massage from other types of massage.
- A typical session lasts 30 to 120 minutes.
Thai massage is done with clothes on. The massage center may provide a loose-fitting top and bottoms made of cotton or satin. The massage is performed on a mat or floor mattress and not on a massage bed, which is usually used in western massages. This is because the therapist performs multiple stretches and uses their body weight and pressure, hence the massage is done on the ground.
What are the benefits of a traditional Thai massage?
Thai massage has numerous health benefits. They are:
- Relieves headaches: Thai massage can help reduce or eliminate the symptoms of migraine or tension headaches.
- Reduces back pain: Thai massage can be effective in reducing back pain and improving flexibility.
- Relieves joint stiffness and pain: Thai massage improves joint flexibility and function.
- Increases flexibility and range of motion: Thai massage increases range of motion, flexibility, and improves athletic performance.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Thai massage can help reduce stress, anxiety, which is relaxing and energizing. It also helps with insomnia.
What are the risks of Thai massage?
It is important to let the therapist know if you experience any discomfort during the massage, if you have an injury or a particular part of the body, or if the body is sore or sensitive to pain. The presence of the following medical conditions requires a doctor’s approval before getting a Thai massage:
- Blood vessel disorders
- Diabetes
- Conditions that affect the spine, such as spondylosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Recent surgery
- Open wounds
- Muscle, ligament, and bone injuries
- Cancer
- Burns
- Bleeding disorders
- Thai massage is not recommended for pregnant women
QUESTION
What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerTop What Does a Thai Massage Include? Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Headache
Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.
Migraine Triggers
Do you have frequent headaches? Learn the most common headache triggers for tension headaches, sinus headaches, cluster headaches and migraine. They include red wine, skipping meals, and smoke. Find medical treatments that work, like diet, exercise, massage, and physical therapy.
What Gets Rid of Headaches Quickly?
Headaches are a common complaint for many people. There are many types of headaches such as migraine, tension, cluster, and the general run of the mill headache. These 17 natural home remedies -- for example, exercise, meditation, hydration, yoga, caffeine, essential oils such as lavender and butterbur, herbs, and supplements like magnesium -- can soothe and relieve some headaches.
Headaches Quiz
If you're plagued with headaches, our Headaches Quiz may help you identify causes, triggers, symptoms, and treatments for headache pain caused by different types of headaches such as migraines, sinus, cluster, tension, or stress.
What Triggers Tension Headaches?
A tension headache is the most common type of headache seen in adults. A tension headache is also called a tension-type headache (TTH) or stress headaches. It is usually associated with muscle tightness in the head, scalp or neck. A tension headache is so common that we often consider it a normal occurrence. There are two types of tension headaches: Episodic tension headaches and chronic tension headaches.