The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals group notes that Thai massage has been used as a medicinal treatment for over 2,500 years. During the massage, the client lies fully clothed on the floor and the therapist manipulates the body using her hands, arms, knees and feet. The massage is meant to stimulate the energetic flow throughout the body, and focuses on firm pressure and stretching maneuvers.
Increased Flexibility
During a Thai massage session, the therapist will stretch many of your major muscle groups. Though these stretches actually target the energetic pathways that flow along your muscles, they have numerous tangible benefits to your muscular system. The Mayo Clinic points out that stretching, like that performed during a Thai massage, can increase flexibility, which in turn can make daily tasks seem easier and decrease the chance of injury during athletic activity.
Improved Circulation
The vigorous stretching that is at the center of a Thai massage can also improve circulation to the affected areas. The Mayo Clinic points out that stretching increases blood flow to the targeted muscles and promotes quick healing of injuries in the tissue.
Healthier Joints
Thai massage also incorporates joint range of motion techniques. The therapist will move your limbs and other joints through their range of motion during the session, to increase circulation in the area and allow energy to flow across the joint space. These joint movements increase joint flexibility and help avoid injury.
Relaxation
One of the main benefits of Thai massage is the relaxation that it promotes in the recipient. At the end of the session, the therapist will have corrected many of the energetic imbalances throughout your body. This will leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated.
