How Thai Massage Completes a Wellness Package
Thai Massage in Albuquerque: What It Is, How It Works, and Who May Benefit
If you have never experienced Thai massage before, you may be surprised by how different it feels from a traditional massage performed on a table.
There is massage, certainly—but there is also movement.
Your therapist may gently move your legs, hips, shoulders, and arms through different positions, use rhythmic compression along the muscles, and incorporate assisted stretches throughout the session. This is one reason Thai massage is sometimes described as a combination of massage and assisted yoga.
But Thai massage isn't simply “stretching with a massage therapist.” It is a complete form of bodywork with its own traditions and techniques.
What Happens During a Thai Massage?
Traditional Thai massage is generally performed on a comfortable mat rather than a massage table. You remain fully clothed, preferably in loose, comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily.
Instead of relying primarily on massage oil and gliding strokes, the therapist uses a combination of:
rhythmic compression
pressure
gentle rocking and movement
assisted stretching
mobilization of different areas of the body
The therapist may use the hands, thumbs, forearms, elbows, knees, or feet depending upon the technique being performed.
The experience can range from gentle and deeply relaxing to more active and invigorating. It should always be adapted to the person receiving the massage.
Why Include Stretching and Movement?
Our bodies are designed to move.
Yet many of us spend hours sitting at desks, driving, looking at computers and phones, or repeatedly performing the same movements at work. Even active people can develop areas that begin to feel stiff or restricted.
Thai massage approaches the body somewhat differently from a massage that focuses primarily on working individual muscles.
Instead of only applying pressure to an area that feels tight, Thai massage can also incorporate movement of the joints and assisted stretching of the surrounding tissues.
For someone who enjoys stretching but has difficulty reaching certain positions comfortably on their own, this can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of Thai massage.
Is Thai Massage the Same as Deep Tissue Massage?
No.
Although both can involve substantial pressure, they are quite different experiences.
Deep tissue massage generally takes place on a massage table and uses targeted massage techniques to work with muscles and connective tissues. A therapist may spend considerable time addressing a particular area such as the shoulders, neck, hips, or back.
Thai massage tends to involve more of the body in motion.
You may be lying on your back one moment, positioned on your side later, and gently moved into an assisted stretch as the session progresses.
Neither approach is automatically “better.” They simply provide different ways of working with the body.
For some people, a focused deep tissue or therapeutic massage is exactly what they need. Others love the combination of compression, movement, and stretching that Thai massage provides.
And sometimes the most appropriate approach is a combination of techniques.
Can Thai Massage Help With Pain and Stiffness?
Research into Traditional Thai Massage is still developing, so it is important not to make claims that go beyond what the evidence shows.
However, studies have investigated Thai massage for several musculoskeletal pain conditions.
A systematic review of controlled studies involving people with chronic pain found improvements following Traditional Thai Massage in pain as well as measures such as flexibility, perceived muscle tension, and disability. The researchers also emphasized that additional research is needed to better understand its long-term effects.
Research has also examined Thai massage for chronic low-back pain, with studies reporting improvements in pain and physical function. Again, this doesn't mean Thai massage is appropriate for every person experiencing back pain—or that massage treats the underlying cause of every painful condition.
Pain can have many causes. Persistent, unexplained, severe, or worsening pain deserves appropriate medical evaluation.
Does Thai Massage Have to Be Intense?
Absolutely not.
One of the misconceptions about Thai massage is that it needs to involve extreme stretching or very strong pressure to be effective.
It doesn't.
A good Thai massage should respect your body's present range of motion rather than forcing you into a position simply because you could move farther.
This becomes particularly important as we get older, when we're recovering from an injury, or when we're dealing with joint limitations or chronic pain.
More pressure isn't necessarily better, and neither is a deeper stretch.
Communication between you and your therapist matters.
If something feels too intense, uncomfortable, or simply wrong, say so. The session can—and should—be adjusted.
Who Might Enjoy Thai Massage?
Thai massage may particularly appeal to people who:
enjoy yoga or stretching
feel generally stiff or restricted
prefer receiving massage while remaining clothed
enjoy a more active style of bodywork
want massage combined with assisted movement
spend long periods sitting or performing repetitive activities
enjoy both therapeutic bodywork and relaxation
You don't have to be flexible to receive Thai massage.
In fact, being inflexible may be one of the reasons assisted movement feels so good—as long as the session is appropriately adapted to your body.
When Might Thai Massage Not Be Appropriate?
Thai massage isn't appropriate for everyone.
Because it can include pressure, joint movement, and assisted stretching, certain injuries, recent surgeries, fractures, blood-clotting concerns, severe osteoporosis, or other medical conditions may require modifications or make particular techniques inappropriate.
Massage therapy overall has a good safety record, but serious adverse events have occasionally been reported, which is another reason a therapist should understand your relevant health history before beginning treatment.
If you're unsure whether Thai massage is appropriate because of a medical condition or recent injury, speak with your healthcare provider first and let your massage therapist know about the condition before your session.
Thai Massage as Part of Your Wellness Routine
You don't need to wait until something hurts to receive massage.
Thai massage can also simply be an opportunity to move, stretch, slow down, and spend some time paying attention to a body that carries you through every day.
For one person, that may mean periodically receiving Thai massage to complement an active lifestyle or yoga practice.
For someone else, it may simply mean discovering a style of massage that feels particularly good in their body.
There doesn't have to be one “perfect” massage modality.
The better question is:
What does your body need today?
Sometimes that answer is focused therapeutic work.
Sometimes it's deep tissue massage.
Sometimes it's relaxation.
And sometimes it is the unusual and wonderful combination of movement, compression, stretching, and bodywork that makes Thai massage Thai massage.
Sources & Further Reading
Traditional Thai Massage for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review — PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25682523/
Effectiveness of Swedish Massage and Traditional Thai Massage in Treating Chronic Low Back Pain — PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23059437/
Massage for Pain: An Evidence Map — PubMed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28211657/
Massage Therapy: What You Need to Know — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/massage-therapy-what-you-need-to-know
If you are looking for professional massage therapy, call Thai Massage Albuquerque today at (505) 235-8032 and discover for yourself why our approach is often called the type of massage therapy Albuquerque has been waiting for.