Unlike other traditional massage styles, clients of Thai massage are not required to remove their clothing, nor will any oils or lotions be used in their treatment. Typically, a client will be asked to dress comfortably, and will spend the majority of their massage lying on a mat on the floor. Treatments on average last over an hour, with a typical Thai massage lasting approximately two hours.

The Thai massage practitioner creates a relaxing, energizing atmosphere as they stimulate their client’s muscles with a deep tissue massage. Coupled with this massage are traditional yoga stretches performed in a non-traditional way. That is, the practitioner manipulates the client’s body through a series of yoga poses meant to cleanse, energize, and relax. A meditative state for both participants is achieved to obtain the greatest benefit from this ancient art.

The principal benefits of Thai massage are numerous. Its efficacy as a stress reliever is remarkable. Similarly, a Thai massage promotes relaxation, and most recipients cite these benefits as being the largest factors in their devotion to the art. However, there are other benefits as well. Because of the employment of yoga poses, most clients report increased flexibility as a result of their treatments. In addition, circulation is improved and because Thai massage concentrates on the breath in a meditative state, people often experience an enhanced ability to focus their thoughts. Clients emerge from the treatments feeling peaceful, perceptive, and energized. Mobility is improved and participants often find themselves free of joint pain after a treatment.

Thai massage can have beneficial effects for anyone under stress, or who feels consistently tired. It is a safe, proven technique to enhance a calm, relaxed perspective. By focusing on the mind and body as one instrument, Thai massage brings balance to the spirit.

If you need more informations you may want to read:
Encyclopedia of Thai Massage

Tui Na massage works on the 8 principles found in traditional Chinese medicine and the practice is over 2000 years old. The 8 principles are paired off into 4 opposing sets: Yin-Yang, Cold-Heat, Deficiency-Excess, and External-Internal. With the exception of the latter pair, all these sets can be taken to mean similar things, with one representing too much of something and the other representing too little, such as thirst versus lack of thirst, a fever versus coldness in the extremities, a pale versus a flushed pallor, etc.

This therapy consists primarily of several forms of hand techniques on the skin and soft tissue, including brushing, rolling and the more traditional rubbing massage. Often, acupressure points will be stimulated with these hand motions, as well as with range of motion and even traction.

Sometimes acupuncture may be used in conjunction with the massage aspects of this therapy, as may Tai Chi and other therapeutic methods, though less frequently. For example, in addition to the kneading of the soft tissue and the acupressure stimulation, a practitioner of Tui Na may also occasionally utilize salves, poultices and other herbalist elements. These can be for their healing characteristics or for strictly aromatic reasons.

If no oils or salves are to be applied, then it is generally unnecessary for the person receiving the massage to remove their clothing. Typically, the therapist can manipulate the person’s energy meridians, pain areas, and the acupressure points through their garments. It’s best if the massage takes place no less than 1 hour and no more than 2 hours after a patient’s most recent meal.

If you need more information you may want to read:
The Handbook of Chinese Massage: Tui Na Techniques to Awaken Body and Mind

Next, gently knuckle the shoulders. Make your hands in relaxed fists, and then move your knuckles around in a circular motion. Gently and slowly turn the head to one side. Use your first three fingers to stroke the top of the shoulder and down one side of the next. Repeat three times. Now turn the head to the other side, and repeat the neck and shoulder strokes three to four times. Return your partner’s head to the center.

Slide both of your hands under your partner’s back, reaching as far as you can. Locate the groove on each side of the spine, and then pull your hands up beside the spine, using a little pressure on the groove. Repeat this motion three times.

Your next step is to stretch the neck, which will help stretch the muscles and relieve tension. Your partner should relax so that you can take all the weight of their head. If they are tense, make sure you are slow and gentle so you won’t accidentally pull any muscles.

Now cup hands under the head, with your fingers resting under the base of the skull. Lift your partner’s head slightly, and gently pull toward you. Lower the head, and slowly repeat. Next hold the back of their head with one hand, moving it slowly toward the right shoulder while gently pressing down on the left shoulder with your free hand. Bring their head back toward the center, and then repeat to the other direction.

Tips: Slightly warm the oil by rubbing it in your palms before applying to their skin. Make sure the room is warm enough for relaxation.

Warning: Do not perform this massage on anyone with neck or shoulder injuries.

If you need more information you may want to read:
8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back: Natural Posture Solutions for Pain in the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Foot (Remember When It Didn’t Hurt)

Massage: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide

Such ailments could be successfully treated by massaging the skin with special ‘pregnancy oils’ (a good example here) , which are a blend of extracts from essential oils with natural organic oils. Such oils keep in the skin supple and soft through pregnancy. It is important to ensure that ‘pregnancy oils’ do not contain chemicals and other ingredients that could harm the skin, the muscles, and the growing child.

Pregnancy oil massage offers the following benefits:

• Pregnancy oil massage eliminates waste products such as lactic acid and other similar cellular waste by energizing the circulatory and lymphatic systems, reducing fatigue and enhancing energy
• Removes stiffness, tightening, cramping, tension, and muscle knots.
• Through proper massaging, the load on the heart could be eased and the blood pressure kept in check
• Relieves several prenatal discomforts such as leg cramps, stiff neck, backaches, edema, swollen or sore feet and ankles, and headaches.
• Stimulates secretion of glands to stabilize hormone levels in the body
• Relaxes nervous tension and providing a soothing effect to induce good sleep
• When loose muscles are toned up and tense muscles get unwound, the muscular flexibility is enhanced. This is particularly useful in the later stages of pregnancy.

Several books on pregnancy are available in bookstores and on the Internet that provide valuable advice on several aspects of pregnancy. However, very few books highlight the benefits of a proper pregnancy oil massage. One good book on this subject is Nurturing Massage for Pregnancy: A Practical Guide to Bodywork for the Perinatal Cycle By Leslie Stager.