By: Cassandra Pickard, Licensed Holistic Practitioner, Certified Thai Massage Practitioner, Registered Thai Therapist – Owner of Embrace Metta Thai Massage, Toronto, ON
As we get older, most of us start to feel the effects of the general wear and tear on our bodies. We start to experience that ‘old’ feeling, generally regarded as the stiffening of our joints, and this results in having more difficulty doing things that seemed so effortless before. Getting out of bed in the morning, gardening, playing with grandkids or pets does not seem as easy as it once was.
Thai Massage is particularly supportive of an aging body and helps to maintain and restore joint mobility. With increased joint mobility, aches and pains are not as noticeable or are relieved altogether helping you to feel younger and more active. Thai Massage has very few contraindications, so anyone in relatively good health can enjoy the benefits of this type of bodywork. The massage is adapted to suit your needs, so it doesn’t matter what your age, size or flexibility level is. Many first time recipients are actually surprised at what their body can do and the degree of stretching that they can obtain.
Along with the benefits of Swedish massage, such as increased circulation, relaxation, reduced pain and stiffness, Thai Massage also helps improve energy flow which is believed to be an underlying cause of many physical conditions. Also, because of the physical manipulations and stretches involved, you receive the added benefits similar to those of Hatha Yoga, which is why Thai Massage is sometimes referred to as Lazy Man’s Yoga.
Although Thai Massage has similar benefits to Swedish massage, Thai Massage is quite different from Swedish and most other forms of bodywork. Thai Massage is done on a mat on the floor, rather than on a table. This allows the therapist to use his or her body to facilitate the stretches. Furthermore, you are fully clothed in loose, comfortable clothing which allows for lots of movement and no oils or creams are used. The practitioner uses palms, thumbs, forearms, elbows, knees and feet to apply pressure and stretch the body.
Thai people believe that most musculoskeletal pain and lack of joint mobility is a result of repetitive strain, which causes the muscles to shorten. This tension in the muscles continues to shorten them and in time can result in stiffness, pain or injury. With regular Thai Massage the muscles are lengthened through stretching and energy blockages are released through applied pressure. This then, results in tension melting away and joint mobility returning.
Thai Massage is a wonderful form of therapy to be incorporated into any lifestyle, but for the 50+ individual, it helps to keep you feeling happy and healthy and allows you to continue to actively participate in your life. Although each person responds to Thai Massage based on their own experience and state of health, it is worth noting that Thai Massage has been used for over 2,500 years to treat degenerative conditions and promote wellness. In Thailand, Thai Massage is an important part of the culture and is used as preventative maintenance, not just as a ‘treat’.
Some benefits of Thai Massage include:
- Increased flexibility and range of motion
- Elimination of muscle pain and spasms
- Improved posture and balance
- Corrects body alignment
- Stimulates internal organs, blood circulation and lymph drainage
- Helps to lower blood pressure
- Relieves fatigue, swollen limbs and painful joints
- Helps detoxify the body
- Boosts the immune system
- Improves athletic performance
- Tones the body
- Strengthens the joints
- Fights diseases, including chronic joint problems such as arthritis
- Helps slow the aging process
For more information about Thai Massage and its benefits, please visit, www.embracemetta.com.
If you’d like more info please contact Mike.