Thai Massage is not associated with sexual services

Massage in Thailand is sometimes solely associated with sexual services, but this is only a partial truth. There are many varied ways of massage, and there are distinct categories. There is the traditional Thai massage, with its recent add-ons of oil massage, and reflexology (foot massage). There are the mostly upmarket and flashy massage parlours. An altogether different segment are the spa health retreats and resorts. Thai massage in general (though not the massage parlours) is now actively promoted, and certainly the spa resorts are proliferating and likely doing good business.

Budget Hotels at Bangkok

Book of Thai Massage

There is a book of Thai Massage which was written by Hans-Erik Petermann, published by New Holland Publishers (UK) on March 1, 2006. You can buy from Amazon.co.uk at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thai-Massage-Hans-Erik-Petermann/dp/184537035X or SelectBooks.com at http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.cfm?SBNum=37693

Book's Review:

The benefits of Thai massage have to be experienced to be believed. Clients often describe it in many different ways: “ It felt as if I was being massaged from inside my body”. “It felt like a thousand warm waves gently lapping over my body.” “ I’m so relaxed, I hope you don’t mind if I go to sleep right here, right now”.

The benefits are numerous. Since Thai massage works with the balancing of the energy system, some clients feel energized whilst others feel deeply relaxed and some feel both at the same time. The extensive stretching component increases the range of motion around major joints such as the hips and shoulders and this often also helps for postoperative recovery with regards to these structures.

Although the benefits are potentially vast, the sensitivity, intuitiveness and level of experience of the massage practitioneroften also have a great deal to do with how beneficial the massage may be. A gifted and sensitive practitioner of the world’s worst massage system will in all likelihood give a better massage than a badly trained or ungifted massage practitioner using the world’s best system.

There is no magic bullet that will cure all ills at one fell swoop. Massage is beneficial for many things but it is not a panacea. The benefits of Thai massage go quite a bit beyond “feeling good” but clients should always be wary of anyone who promises to cure whatever ails them, as long as they subscribe to a course of treatments of XYZ sessions. 

With all these warnings in place, what remains to be said again is that you need to experience Thai massage so as to believe what it feels like. Try one, you’ll be back for more !

Types of Thai Massage

From an aromatherapy and oil massage thought to trigger memory, amongst other things, a facial massage that will make your skin glow radiantly, or a Thai foot massage that will ensure your feet and legs are lavished with the attention they deserve, a proper massage treatment can be beneficial for everyone. Have a look here at the different types of massages available, and recommended places to go to.

Aromatherapy & Oil Massage 

Though the standard technique varies little, there are a few sub-styles within the traditional Thai massage context. Some practices include the external application of water, lubricants, salt scrubs and other topical preparations and devices that mimic or improve the actions of hands. Essential oils are a common supplement to Thai massage, and incorporating aspects of aromatherapy in conjunction may provide further benefits.

Many establishments in Bangkok offer aromatherapy separately or as an addition intended to enhance another style of massage. An aromatherapy massage is a treatment involving oils that are naturally extracted from plants to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body and mind. Distinct fragrances are thought to trigger memory and enhance an individual's responses to the aroma; perhaps calming, inducing relaxation, or restoring energy. The oils used in each session are usually determined with input from both the masseur and client, seeking to remedy specific needs. Several oils are decided upon after a consultation and blended into a massage oil to be used during the treatment.

Facial Massage 

Another variation to the Thai massage is a facial massage treatment. Just like any other form of massage, facial massage relieves tension, promotes relaxation and restores energy to the face and body by increasing circulation. During sleep, circulation is decreased in the body, meaning less blood flow to the face which results in puffiness and a drained complexion. Facial massage stimulates blood flow in facial tissue, restoring a healthy glow and maintaining a firm and smooth appearance.

Thai facial therapy uses gentle, circular strokes along differing regions of the head, face, and neck. Finger movement is always in an upward motion and, when performed regularly, keeps skin appearing tight and youthful. The forehead and nose are targeted to reduce the appearance of horizontal lines and the nostril area receives focused rubbing to unclog pores and reduce blemishes. Mouth and cheeks receive wider, sweeping strokes to prevent wrinkles and the sagging of facial muscles, while the chin and neck are targeted to promote muscle tone. The gestures aimed at the neck area are often performed in order to thwart the vile and loathsome double chin. With gentle fingers gliding over closed eyes, Thai facial massage makes relaxation virtually inevitable and couples the experience with improvements in skin texture and appearance.

Foot Massage 

Nearly as common as the body massage, Thai foot massage options appear almost everywhere the former is available. Though the title implies only feet are tended to, in actuality legs, lower thighs, hands and forearms also receive attention during a traditional Thai foot massage. After cleansing, the feet are anointed with a skin lotion or oil and reflex points are stimulated with fingers and occasionally a small wooden stick. Force is applied tenderly and precisely to specific nerve endings at the bottom of the feet. Each part of the foot is reputably linked to another, often distant part of the body, with influence extending to vital organs as well as muscles. Pressing at the base of the second toe is thought to rouse the nerve controlling the lungs and bronchial system, while drawing a knuckle along the instep eases pain in the spine and promotes better posture. Thai foot massage ensures that feet and legs are lavished with the consideration and attentiveness they deserve. They are the pillars of the human body, after all.

Do you want to learn Thai Massage?

If so, you can find The Thai Massage School in Thailand. If you visit to Bangkok, one of the school locations is in the Wat Po (Po Temple). WatPo is popularly known as the Temple of The Reclining Buddha, as being Thailand's firstopen university under the King patronage. Many fields of knowledge and technology for those days were gathered at WatPo: for example, histoty, religion, literature, arts, colture, medical science, physical therapy and pharmacy.

The WatPo Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School (Wat Po TTW) was opened since 1955. WatPo TTM is the first Thai Medical school under controlled of The Ministry of Education of Thailand. From starting, WatPo TTm offers 4 basic courses of Thai medical that are Thai pharmacy, Thai medication, Thai midwifery and Thai massage. During the past five decades, a lot fo Thais and foreigners have passed our courses and employed in healthy, massage and spa businesses all over the world. Treatments such as thai massage and foot massage offerint at WatPo TTM are one of the most well-known massage treatments in Thailand.

You can browse http://www.watpomassage.com to know detail.

A Typical Session

Thai Massage is totally different to the Western style of massage most of us know. It is usually performed fully clothed, in soft loose clothing which the client brings with them.

It is performed on a mat on the floor and the therapist uses hands, fingers, elbows, knees and feet during the massage. There is no oil used and it moves through deep satisfying stretches, rocking movements and pressure point massage along sen (energy) lines.

Dubbed the “lazy man’s yoga” it is relaxing yet highly invigorating. The uniqueness of Thai Massage is its ability to include the receiver and giver in its benefits. Both come out feeling more open, stretched, refreshed and balanced.

There is a receptive awareness between giver and receiver creating a meditative space for both participants to move into a space of gentle trust and receptivity. A Thai body worker learns to trust her/his intuition rather than the structured diagnosis used in various other disciplines. The quality of the treatment comes from the carefully tuned “listening skills” of the therapists hands together with good technique and practice.

Traditional Thai Massage lasts 3 hours! In our busy lifestyles this is often not possible and I have tailored my Thai bodywork sessions to either a 1 or 1 ½ hour session which seems to suit most people’s schedules.

Thai Massage

As you read on Wikipedia, Thai massage is a type of massage in Thai style that involves stretching and deep massage. It is known in Thailand as "nuat phaen boran" , literally, the ancient-manner massage; or just "nuat phaen thai". Thai massage originated in India and is based on Ayurveda and Yoga. It was believed that the massage art was brought over to Thailand by Shivago Komarpaj over 2500 years ago.

I and my wife have tried twice or three times when we were at Bangkok and Phuket.  Those experiences make a conclusion of mine that Thai Massage is good for you, especially when you are tired. We were really fresh and able to continue shopping after that. 

According Leanne Liddle Therapies, the benefit of Thai Massage are:

• Improved flexibility and mobility
  
• Release of tension & tight muscles
  
• Deep relaxation
  
• Bringing the awareness to the body as a whole
  
• Helps with headaches & insomnia
  
• IBS & constipation
  
• Sciatica
  
• Helps with circulatory and respiratory problems
  
• Increases energy levels
  

You can find Thai Massage almost in every where in Thailand, including in the hotels and the malls. Usually those place are good and clean. They will charge you for 200-400 Baht per hour, depend on the location. Do you interest to try?