A Deeper Look at Thai Massage
Thai Massage is relatively new to the United States. Some still think Thai Massage means a "happy ending" massage or just something that's cheap because it's Asian. Nothing could be further from the truth, though some businesses may be in this kind of business, a real Thai Massage is none of these things.
Thai Massage, Thai Therapy, Thai Yoga Massage, Nuad Phaen Boran, or Nuat Thai all mean the same thing and is becoming the most popular massage technique in America. It's different from other types of massage in that no oil is used, the therapist uses a comfortable floor mat (versus a massage table), and the client remains clothed throughout the massage.
A floor mat is very important because Thai massage uses pressure point massage that goes much deeper than the hands alone. We need to have full access to the body with our hands, elbows, arms, and even feet. We also employ stretching using Yoga like stretches that require the therapist to manipulate the body with her body motions. All of this is done with the client being dressed in their underclothes to permit comfortable movement.
Thai massage pressure point and stretching benefits those who are stiff, sore, and tired from over-exertion in work or sports, or from arthritis or other debilitating diseases. It enhances strength and flexibility, relaxes sore or tense muscles, and helps re-capture lost range of motion. It also encourages lymphatic function to detoxify the body, increase the the immune system, and prevent disease and/or injury by promoting flexibility.
The origin of Thai massage is largely misunderstood. Based on recent research, it's now understood that Thai massage was created by the Thais people between 800 - 1200 AD.
They were "influenced" by multiple disciplines such as Theravada Buddhism, Ayurveda, Hatha Yoga, and Indigenous Practices of the native Tai people dating back several centuries.
At Thai Sport Massage we take traditional Thai Massage to a new level. First, all of our sessions include Thai therapy, but we also include the more rigorous Ashi-Tahi footwalking technique along the back and legs, and in some cases the arms. This allows even deeper penetration than using our arms and elbows alone. To accomplish this you wil notice bars running across our therapy rooms. We can control the pressure by using these bars by holding our weight on them.
We also employ western techniques such as Sport Massage, so when you see the oil coming out, we are mixing it up, to increase circulation and move lymph fluids out for toxin removal. When we employ western styles, we will use what is best depending on the kind of pressure and the type of therapy will work best.