What happens during a 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 their body to assist and guide you throughout. If you’re looking to relieve tension, chronic pain, or sports injuries, a deep tissue massage might be a better fit; meanwhile, Thai massages are great for improved movement, energy boosts, and circulation. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which massage therapy works best for your condition or needs.Typically, Thai massage is performed fully clothed, which means you can keep your bra on if that’s what makes you feel most at ease. However, some clients prefer to remove their bra to allow for better access to the back and shoulder areas, enhancing the effectiveness of the massage.While a person of any age can get a Thai massage, it is not appropriate for everybody. People with certain health conditions, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, those who are pregnant, and those who have just undergone surgery should not get a Thai massage, as the technique could pose health risks.Some research suggests that Thai massage is associated with many health benefits, such as improved circulation, an improved range of motion, and reduced levels of stress. While a person of any age can get a Thai massage, it is not appropriate for everybody.Traditional Thai massage uses stretching, kneading, and applied pressure to break up muscle knots and extend the range of motion in ligaments and joints. The techniques used to treat muscle knots are the same as those used in trigger pointing.
Is Thai massage good or bad for you?
Thai massage offers pain relief and helps with joint mobility and muscle stiffness. You may use Thai massage to decrease anxiety, depression, and stress and improve sleep quality. This type of massage involves stretching, deep pressure, and yoga-like movements. During a body-to-body massage, the giver may use their arms to glide smoothly over the receiver’s back, providing a soothing and relaxing sensation. The chest may be used to apply gentle pressure to specific areas, releasing tension and promoting deep relaxation.A full-body massage doesn’t have to include your sensitive areas. You can say which parts of your body you don’t want to be touched. A full-body massage usually includes your arms, legs, hands and feet, your neck and back, your stomach and buttocks.It’s up to you. Women usually remove their bras to allow the massage therapist to work on the back and shoulder area without getting massage oil or lotion on the bra. If your problem area is your low back, hips, buttocks, or groin, tight-fitting or large underwear can sometimes get in the way of massage work.Depending on the technique, a massage can help release lactic acid, metabolic waste, and stimulate the lymphatic system to flush out toxins. For example, deep tissue massage targets built-up waste in muscles, while Swedish massage boosts circulation and lymph flow.
Why am I so tired after a Thai massage?
Feeling fatigue after a massage is a common and normal reaction. Massages influence blood flow, blood pressure, and heart rate, resulting in feelings of tiredness. Tiredness or drowsiness. As a result of relieving tension, feeling fatigued or groggy can be a factor after your deep tissue massage. Physical, mental, or both types of stress can be lessened by releasing physical tension; however, these effects shouldn’t last more than one restful night after your session.Feeling unwell after a massage is normal and may include symptoms like headache, muscle soreness, nausea, and fatigue due to toxin release.Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol – These substances can dehydrate you, counteracting the benefits of your massage. If you’re socialising after a massage, be sure to alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated. Skip Strenuous Activity – Give your muscles a chance to rest and recover for 24 hours post massage.In extreme cases, intense deep tissue techniques can trigger rhabdomyolysis, where muscle breakdown leads to swelling, dark urine, or kidney stress. While extremely rare, mild forms might explain feeling sick after massage or flu-like symptoms after massage.
What not to do after a Thai massage?
Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol – These substances can dehydrate you, counteracting the benefits of your massage. If you’re socialising after a massage, be sure to alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated. Skip Strenuous Activity – Give your muscles a chance to rest and recover for 24 hours post massage. Showering immediately after a massage may reduce their effectiveness. Try to wait at least 1–2 hours before showering, unless advised otherwise by your therapist. Also, be mindful of deep tissue massage sessions—your muscles may be tender. A gentle rinse or warm bath later in the day is often more beneficial.If you do not drink water after a massage, you may experience some short-term effects such as feeling thirsty or experiencing dry mouth. It is important to drink water after a massage to help your body flush out any toxins that may have been released during the massage.A few hours (generally 6 to 8 hours) after your massage, you may begin to experience muscle soreness and tightness. If the soreness lasts longer than 48 hours, it could be a sign of overwork or an underlying medical condition.After a massage, your body is in a state of relaxation and recovery, and the massage oils applied to your skin continue to nourish it. Taking a hot bath immediately could strip away these benefits. Generally, it’s recommended to wait at least two to three hours after a massage before taking a bath.
Why was my Thai massage so painful?
Ultimately, pain is normal when having a Thai massage. The specialised technique is designed to work deep into the muscle tissue, necessitating pressure and force to achieve results. There are different techniques and methods that you can utilise to manage pain, both during the massage and after the session. While some may describe it as an aggressive massage, its energetic impact is rooted in the subtle balance of yin and yang principles. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your athletic performance or relieve stress, this invigorating Massage is perfect for a boost to tackle your day.Massage stimulates receptors that transmit sensory signals to the central nervous system, and this in turn causes the reduction in tension in muscles and the feeling of relaxation. Massage causes the release of endorphins which has been shown to reduce pain and muscle tension.Discomfort or Pain During the Massage While some discomfort can be normal, especially with deep tissue massage, it should never cross the line into sharp pain. If you leave feeling no relief from tension or soreness, that’s a major red flag that the massage was ineffective.The longer you receive a massage, the deeper you can relax. During a 90 minute massage, your body has more time to fully relax, which can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and tension. This deeper state of relaxation can also help to improve the quality of your sleep and promote better overall wellness.