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Massage therapists rhythmically rub and knead the body's soft tissues for therapeutic purposes. Several different types of massage have developed over time in different cultures. These include Swedish massage (most common in the US), Oriental massage, Shiatsu and Thai massage. Massages usually occur in a warm, comfortable room and last about one hour.
Massage promotes muscle relaxation, which in turn reduces stress. It his helpful not only in decreasing the feeling of being stressed, but also in treating problems exacerbated by muscle tension, such as headaches, backaches, stiffness and insomnia. As muscles are rubbed, blood vessels dialte, blood flow increases, lymph circulation is stimulated, oxygen supply increases and overall circulation throughout the body is improved. Patients fighting serious diseases, such as cancer, find massage promotes relaxation, improves quality of life and enhances well-being.
According to the American Cancer Society, massage is "thought almost universally to be a beneficial thereapy. It is helpful not only physically but emotionally as well, because it soothes the soul and the mind." Massage cannot cure cancer, but it has been shown in several studies to improve quality of life and well-being. There is some scientific evidence that massage enhances the immune system by increasing blood circulation. In addition, massage was shown to promote relaxation and alleviate pain and anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients.
Massage, especially deep tissue forms, should be avoided over areas of known tumors and at any time when bleeding or tissue damage would be a risk, such as following surgery, chemothereapy, or radiation therapy. Patients with circulatory ailments such as phlebitis or varicose veins should avoid massage. Massage should never be performed on bruises, areas of tissue damage, inflamed or infected sites and bone metastases.
Traditional Thai Massage, also called Thai Yoga Therapy, is a therapeutic technique that dates back thousands of years. Traditional Thai medicine is a natural, holistic approach to health and well-being, developed over thousands of years, which includes proper nutrition, physical exercise, the use of medicinal herbs and therapeutic massage. Traditional Thai medicine is not only concerned with curing diseases and ailments. Its primary goal is maintaining health and well-being.
Traditional Thai medicine is similar to many other ancient healing systems, which believe that illnesses are caused by an imbalance or obstruction within the individual, or by an imbalance between and individual and his environment.
Ancient Thais treated a number of ailments by using massage to restore the flow of energy throughout the body. Traditional Thai massage is a deep, full-body treatment, which includes both stretching of the joints and muscles. Thai people used massage not only to treat illnesses, but also to maintain health and well-being.
There are hundreds of positions and techniques in the complete repertoire of Thai massage, including:
A Thai massage treatment is a positive, energizing, uplifting experience for the client as well as the practitioner. A session is a flowing dialog between client and practitioner, akin to a dance or martial arts form. The client is passive and completely supported in all positions by the therapist.
Some people call Traditional Thai Massage "Lazy man's yoga" because the therapist is skilled at supporting the client in stretches that are yoga poses. In many cases, the client can experience the benefit of poses that would be difficult to achieve unassisted, because it can take years to develop the requisite strength, balance and flexibility to achieve the poses in a solo yoga practice. Also, the thereapist works energy lines while the client is in the pose, which has a synergistic effect in opening and energizing the body.
Thai yoga therapy has many benefits including:
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