Top 5 Health Benefits of Thai Massage in Sukhumvit

For those of you yet to experience a Thai massage in Sukhumvit for the first time, you may be in for a pleasant surprise. There are a few key differences between traditional Thai massage (dating back over 2,500 years!) and the techniques practised by classic Western massage therapists. 

A lot of these distinctions will be noticeable from the word go. For example, a Thai massage does not use any equipment, and you will alternate between lying on your back, lying on your front and being seated. Another big difference is that while traditional Western massage has the patient lie atop a table, a Thai massage is performed on a low floor mat, this allows the masseuse to move freely around and above the patient and access a more extensive range of angles.

In addition, rather than just using hands, fists, forearms and elbows, a Thai masseuse will incorporate their legs and feet as well! Often, they will use a combination of arms and legs to gain better leverage so that they can perform deep stretches of the patient’s arms, legs, shoulders, hips and back.

If you are still not convinced this acrobatic style of massage is for you, let us further persuade you by exploring the top five health benefits of Thai massage.  

1) Reduce stress

Thai massage uses gentle stretching and pressure techniques to relax the body. The manipulative techniques used relieve physical and emotional tension in patients. Studies have found that Thai massage is more effective at reducing stress in healthy people than resting or medication. In particular, this type of massage can help relieve the symptoms of chronic or long-lasting stress conditions like depression and anxiety.

2) Boost energy

Thai massage is based on the notion of energy lines, known in Thai as ‘sen’ (‘chi’ in Chinese). Practitioners base their treatment around these sen, or channels, of energy which flow throughout the body. Sen corresponds to different parts of the body, such as bones, muscles, nerves, blood, and even the mind. In this way, tight muscles cause different sen to become blocked, which in turn reduce the flow of life energy. Thai massage uses various techniques to open the sen, to correct the energy flow and lessen any stiffness, pain or illness.

3) Improve motion

Thai massage in Sukhumvit utilises yoga-like stretches to manipulate the body. The gradual, gentle stretching used allows for a greater range of motion over time by enhancing a person’s flexibility. Thai massage has also been known to improve the circulation of synovial fluid in joints, resulting in reduced friction and pain and greater mobility and range of motion.

4) Increase circulation

As mentioned above, Thai massage can promote circulation, especially of blood and lymph glands. Why? Because the gentle stretches used will fill the body’s tissues with oxygen, which in turn helps promote cell growth. Thai massage has also been documented to help patients with balance issues, a common complication of diabetes. 

5) Relieve headaches

Research has also revealed that proper Thai massage can increase a person’s energy levels. One recent clinical trial examined the effects of Thai and Swedish massage in people who were experiencing fatigue. The results revealed that while Thai massage increased mental stimulation and energy levels, Swedish massage helped to improve sleep and relaxation. In particular, court-type Thai massage, which involves applying pressure to specific energy channels, has been proven to be highly effective in the treatment for people who have chronic tension headaches.