My Experience in Phuket, Thailand
Thai massage is a distinct form of holistic therapy touch that is distinct from Western massage in many ways. The practitioner gently manipulates your body in specific directions to stimulate your organs and increase flexibility. You lay down on a smooth, flat mat on the ground. Thai massage is a part of the traditional Thai martial art of the same name. It is used to relieve tension and restore balance to the body and also helps to create the feeling of well-being.
Thai massage practitioners don't wear masks or use their hands to massage the body, unlike other forms of massage. Thai massage practitioners typically stretch their muscles by using their feet and elbows. Except for when the client rubs their arms or face the hands aren't visible. Thai massage is more stimulating than Western massages because it does not involve manipulation or touching. Stretching does not require the client to break the connection between the body and mind. Thai massage therapists may ask their clients to lie on a mat or table and then use their hands and legs to stretch and manipulate the muscles.
In contrast to other forms of Thai massage, the entire body is not kneaded or massaged. Instead, the masseuse employs only hands, employing various techniques such as rolling the neck and pushing the shoulder back, squeezing and pulling the throat or nose and tapping specific pressure points along the spine. Thai massages are expensive due to the fact that Thai massage therapists are not able to touch or manipulate the skin of patients. Thai masseuses are forbidden from using their hands, which is why they depend on their feet, elbows, and sometimes even their fingers to provide a full body massage. This has resulted in some criticism of Thai massage, especially from Western professionals who are restricted in their flexibility by their gloves, as well as the belief that Thai massage can cause serious harm.
However, Thai massage has gained popularity in the United States over the last decade, mostly due to the popularity of Thai massage in Bangkok. Many Thais travel to Bangkok from the United States. This means that a large number of Thais regularly visit the spas and temples outside the city where Thai massage is performed. This group of Thais is especially adept at the full body technique. This is a good thing. Many tourists visiting Thailand are looking to experience something different and exciting, and so they travel to different places. Many Thais who live abroad in other countries want to have the experience of have full body massage here in America.
When I visited Bangkok in the past, I stayed at the All Spa World at Airport Plaza. It is among the most well-known Thai massage establishments in Bangkok, and I was fascinated by the deep tissue massage machine that they used. It was very interesting to see how their therapist worked muscles; you could feel every fiber of your body being pulled into the ropes and then pulled out .
They use the Thai massage table, as well as the traditional Thai medicine table. The banana leaves are used to support the legs of the patient. This process is called "kapha." The practitioner holds the legs while using the thumbs, fingers and massage tools to soothe and relax the muscles of all kinds.
I did have a little trouble understanding some of the techniques, but I didn't have any trouble performing them. Since they were performing these movements all the time it was evident that the therapists of this area were able to perform them. They were also applying the same method to all muscles and didn't alter any of their moves while they worked. While I was there I wasn't sure about the value of Thai massage, as I was focused on the Thai massage benefits, but my stay there has made me appreciate the benefits of the traditional Thai rub down. It could require some effort to adjust however it was enjoyable and I may be enticed to make the move to the west when I get home.
My best experience in Phuket was when I was taught to give Thai massage treatments. They were extremely gentle and I learned lots about their philosophy. The typical massage therapy session takes six months. I was able learn about ten to fifteen months of knowledge in that time. https://www.openlearning.com/u/moosmacias-r4884f/blog/TriggerPointTherapyTheBenefits My experience confirmed what I'd been taught by my Thai therapist and was more enjoyable than I anticipated. I'm now more knowledgeable about Thai massage and am thinking about Thai massage training. Though I am skeptical about the quality of the massages because I don't understand the process, I am happy with the experience.