Thai Massage: What It Is and 5 Benefits

“Thai massage combines passive stretching and yoga poses with Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine practices, “It’s an ancient form of healing — not a fitness activity or means of relaxation.”

What is Thai massage?

Thai massage, also known as Thai yoga massage or assisted yoga, doesn’t use oils and rubbing or kneading like traditional massage.

Instead, your therapist helps you perform passive stretches and yoga poses to promote well-being by using your body to assist and guide you throughout. Your massage therapist may use their hands, elbows, forearms, and feet to help reduce tension in your muscles.

During a Thai massage, typically about 90 minutes per session, a therapist focuses on clearing sens, which, according to traditional Thai massage, means internal energy pathways through movements and stretches.

“Thai massage has strong spiritual components based on Buddhism,” explains Hill. “The goal is to move your internal energy throughout your organs and body systems to achieve wellness. And your therapist is trained to send you loving kindness, or metta, during your session.”

Unlike Swedish massage or other Western massage techniques, which use a massage table, Thai massage starts with a mat or mattress on the floor. And unlike other massages, where you remove most of your clothes, you can leave your clothes on with Thai massage. Loose-fitting clothes are preferred.

It’s important to note that only a tiny percentage of massage therapists can properly perform Thai massage, so ensure you find someone certified in Thai massage.

Some health benefits of Thai massage may include the following:

Increases flexibility and range of motion

Research shows that Thai massage aids in increasing your flexibility and range of motion by improving your muscle’s blood flow and oxygen supply.

“Your flexibility is related to the function of your joints,” explains Hill. “When you increase the flexibility of the tendons, the range of motion increases. If you fall outside the normal range of motion, we can work on improving that.”

Eases back pain

Research shows that if you have upper or lower back pain, Thai massage may help reduce your pain.

“A lot of it comes from the yoga poses that Thai massage is derived,” says Hill. “During a session, you’re loose and relaxed. This allows for the massage therapist to work on stretching.”

You may engage in yoga poses like pigeon pose and figure four, but with Thai massage, the massage therapist helps you hold those poses.

“There are twist poses we do as well,” she adds. “Those moves help mobilize the spine and begin to lubricate the joints in the spine.”

Reduces headache pain

For those with chronic headaches or migraines, research shows that a Thai massage session may help reduce their intensity.

It’s worth noting that you may feel the benefits of Thai massage when it comes to headaches for up to 15 days.

“Massage, in general, can help with tension headaches and migraine headaches caused by cervicogenic pain,” explains Hill. “Cervicogenic pain is due to the tightness of the neck muscles. Thai massage helps loosen up those muscles that are causing the headache.”

Hill notes that you should see your doctor for treatment if you have inevitable headaches, like cluster or ocular headaches.

Lowers stress and anxiety

What is one thing Thai massage has in common with other massage therapy? According to research, Thai massage can be calming and relaxing, which, in turn, may help lower stress and anxiety.

Hill says many people fall asleep during a Thai massage because it’s relaxing.

“Your massage therapist begins to gently work on you, followed by stretching and then yoga poses,” she clarifies. “Most people fall asleep because they don’t have to do any work.” 

Aids in digestion

Thai massage is considered a “toe-to-head” massage, which includes an abdominal massage.

“There are some energy points within the abdomen manipulated with a deep abdominal massage,” Hill notes. “It may improve digestion because we’re moving that energy around.”

Thai massage isn’t recommended for those who are pregnant.

Overall, Thai massage may help reduce stress, improve flexibility, and ease back pain, so exploring the ancient practice and how it may benefit you may be worth exploring.

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