Massage is not a one-size-fits-all type of therapy. There are different massage styles to suit a variety of medical and physical needs. Among the various systems, Thai massage offers a wide range of massage therapies to treat a variety of conditions. That is why it is one of the most popular forms of massage in the world. While some of the options are well known, others are less so. That does not mean that they are not as effective of providing treatment and effective relief from specific physical problems. One of the lesser known, but highly effective ones, is Tok-Sen massage.
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Dangers of Amateur Massage
Massage involves the application of force and pressure to specific parts of the body to relieve tension and stress,promote relaxation and help in recovering from injuries. A professional massage therapist will know exactly how much force to apply, in what way and for how long so as to maximize the benefits of the massage. However, if the pressure is not applied in the right way to the right places, not only will the massage be unsatisfactory, it could also be hazardous, starting from short term pain to more serious long term injuries. That is why any form of amateur massage can be dangerous. Even if you have had massages from a friend or partner before, on a specific day your body may be more susceptible to injury which neither you or the person giving the massage may be aware of. Or pressure may be accidentally placed on a part of the body that professional therapists avoid because they know the harm that can be caused. There are some parts of the body that experts avoid.
How to Evaluate a Massage Therapist
So you enjoyed your massage and felt good– that’s great. But was it as good as it could, or should, have been? How do you evaluate the quality of a massage? Could you be feeling better and more relaxed? Was the relief from aches and pains as much as it should have been? The feeling after a massage is subjective and it cannot be evaluated on a 1 to 10 scale – every person is different and the results will vary. However, there are some key factors that you can evaluate to find out how good your massage has been.
The Psychological Benefits of Massage
People get massages for a number of reasons – they feel good after it, it helps them to relax, to ease pains caused by injury or lifestyle and so on. What many who love their massages do not realize is the psychological benefits that they derive from it. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a major benefit of massage is its ability to provide mental relaxation and stress relief. There is a direct connection between the body and the mind. That is why when we are under mental stress, our bodies lack energy and strength. And when we are physically worn out, our ability to concentrate and focus is reduced. A professional massage therapist knows how to use massage to benefit both the mind and body.
Massage Therapy Is Not Just a Luxury, Anymore
One of the main reasons why people go for massage is for the feeling of relaxation, reduction of tension and peace that comes from it. While these are all good, there is more value to a massage. It is defined as “systematic therapeutic stroking or kneading of the body.” In other words, massage is a therapy. And therapy means “healing.” There are various types of massage to choose from but the growing popularity of Thai massage and its scientific approach to health and well-being means it is one to actively consider when choosing a massage that will bring the most benefits.
Thai Massage vs Swedish Massage
Adult or child, everyone loves a massage. What is important is getting the type of massage that provides the results you are looking for. There are two popular massage therapy options – Swedish massage and Thai massage. Knowing the difference between them will enable you to make the right and most benefiting choice between the two.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is based on the Western understanding of physiology and anatomy. The aim is to promote relaxation and, in specific instances, healing of the body. It uses six main techniques – stroking, gliding, kneading, rubbing, pounding and shaking. These are applied in various combinations, depending on the results that are aimed for. Oils and lotions are used to soothe the skin and increase the effectiveness of the massage. Because of this, the client is normally required to be undressed and wear only a towel.
Children Benefit From Massages
Touch is the first sense to develop in human beings. A newborn is able to see, hear and smell his/her surroundings but unable to interpret what the inputs are. Touch, however is different. A mother’s touch is, from the first moment it happens, a soothing and calming experience which starts the bonding process and enables the love to grow. As a child matures, touch remains a constant imperative in physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Child massage is a common practice in many Eastern and African cultures. It is used to soothe, relax and heal the children and by doing so, promote their overall health and growth.
Children Suffer From Stress
Stress is happened on an adult also is the big problem hidden on children too. Starting school or going to a new class, moving to a new home, managing difficult subjects, coping with family problems (even if not fully understood) and peer pressure are just some of the stressful situations which children are faced with. While these may seem to be relatively minor issues to an adult, for children, who are not yet equipped to deal with them, they are major problems. The relaxation that comes from a massage helps them to cope with the stress and take a more positive attitude to the challenges they face.
The Many Benefits of a Scalp Massage
For most people, a scalp massage is one of the best experiences of getting hair done at a salon. The relaxation that comes from it is something that is felt immediately, but there are a number of other benefits that are not so easily apparent. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine which is now available through a Thai massage, has over the centuries shown that a scalp massage offers a wide range of physical and mental benefits. These are confirmed by modern medical research. Here are a few of them – some of which you may have noticed, but many of which you may have not.
- Stress, often unnoticed, affects all parts of the body and mind and prevents it from functioning properly. A good scalp massage stimulates the metabolism and increases the production of serotonin, a chemical that elevates the mood and reduces feelings of stress.
What Is So Special About Thai Massage?
The benefits of massage therapy are universally recognized. It is not just a matter of feeling good after one; ongoing research continues to find a lot more health benefits as well. There are various styles and forms of massage, but Thai massage is right there among the most popular. Many people think that massage simply involves applying external pressure to the muscles to loosen and relax them. While this is part of the process, Thai massage continues to grow in popularity because of the many other benefits it offers.
The Unique Features of Thai Massage
- What is now known as Thai massage, originated in India over 2,500 years ago. And because of this, it includes some aspects of Yoga, which has well documented health benefits. In Thai massage, your body is placed in different positions while stretching techniques are used. This aspect of the massage is often referred to as “lazy Yoga” as the massage therapist places your body in different Yoga positions with no effort on your part. Deep pressure techniques are used to loosen and energize the body.
Can a Massage be Bad for You?
It will be hard to find a professional and very good skill, and good energy healing massage. The healing and relaxing properties of a massage are well known and undisputed. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, massage, when done by a professional therapist, can help to reduce the symptoms of a wide range of medical conditions. It can also help in the recovery from injury and of course, you feel so good after getting one. However, that does not mean that any massage, given by anyone, is good for you. In fact, a bad massage given by a person who is not aware of any underlying medical conditions can make the existing problem worse. Here are a few rare, but possible, negative side effects of a massage.