Thai massage: why does it feel so good?

The traditional thai massagealso called new thai or pregnant womenis considered a true manual therapy in Thailand. This practice, registered since 2019 on the representative list of UNESCO’s intangible heritage, combines numerous massage methods. Very far from a simple moment of relaxation, it is an extremely technical practice which requires serious training.

The thai massage also called thai massage finds its origins in the thai medicine traditional. Historically, this practice would have been influenced by different Asian traditions and by the knowledge transmitted in certain temples by Buddhist monks. “This technique was imported to the West at the end of the 1970s. It then developed further in Thailand due to the great success encountered in Europe,” explains Christophe Trombert.

The principle of thai massage is based on a combination of:

According to Thai tradition, the body is traversed by energy lines or energy channels. The practitioner then seeks to rebalance the circulation of this energy using different techniques of body manipulation. “In Europe, this massage has been adapted to our concept of well-being. It is therefore generally gentler than the real traditional Thai massage,” explains Christophe Trombert.

A thai massage session generally takes place on a futon or a mattress placed on the floor: “However, some professionals practice it on a massage table, always adapting to the preferences of the people being massaged,” emphasizes Christophe Trombert. The practitioner gradually works the whole bodyoften from head to toe. The protocol generally follows a very specific order. Some techniques may vary depending on the school or therapists : “There are as many variations of this massage as there are practitioners. Everyone has their own way of doing things,” explains the expert. However, several gestures recur frequently:

“If the massage respects the traditional technique, the practitioner can use his hands, his thumbs, his forearms, his elbows, but also sometimes his knees or his feet to exert certain pressure using the weight of the body”, according to Christophe Trombert. Visually, some manipulations can also seem impressive. However, the thai massage cannot be improvised. Behind the fluidity of movements hides real technicality. Poor control of movements or excessive stretching can lead to pain or injury.

Unlike the massage californiaoften centered on enveloping and relaxing movements with oil, the traditional thai massage is much more dynamic and physical. The patient remains dressed with loose clothing in order to facilitate movements and stretching: “Nevertheless, many professionals practice this massage directly on the skin with oil, according to the preferences and requests of the people being massaged,” according to Christophe Trombert.

For a thai massage sessionit is advisable to wear soft and comfortable clothing. Most often, the massage is practiced dressed to allow stretching and different positions.

The thai massage is now offered in many wellness centers, spas or institutes specializing in asian massage. But be careful, the thai massage cannot be improvised. Behind the different bodily manipulations lies a very technical practice that requires serious training. In France, you can turn to certain professionals in complete safety such as:

“There is a training course created by David Lutt, called Ostéothaï, which teaches an almost “therapeutic” and very researched approach,” underlines Christophe Trombert.

It is better to favor a recognized establishment, with trained and experienced practitioners: “You should be wary of certain establishments which claim to practice massages, but which in reality offer sexual services,” warns Christophe Trombert.

The thai massage is mainly aimed at people looking for a dynamic and deep body practice. If you are looking for a gentle massage, this is not ideal. It may be suitable:

Some people also seek this practice for the feeling of relaxation profonde and muscle relaxation that it provides after the session.

The thai massage is often more intense than a classic relaxation massage. Some very tense areas may be sensitive during pressure or stretching. If you are not very flexible, this massage could be a little strenuous.

Some people even describe the session as a form of “intensive sports session passive”. However, a session should never cause sudden or unbearable pain. “A good practitioner always adapts the intensity of the gestures to the person being massaged”, underlines Christophe Trombert.

The crunches sometimes heard during stretching are generally linked to classic joint phenomena, such as during certain mobilization movements. This does not necessarily mean that something has been “put back in place”.

The followers of thai massage seek above all a feeling of well-being and of relaxation profonde.Among the effects most often reported:

Muscular work and mobilizations can also promote circulation sanguine and provide a feeling of physical recovery after certain sporting activities.

Certain traditions also speak of aid to “theelimination of toxins”, even if this notion remains difficult to demonstrate scientifically.

Although it is associated with well-beingthe thai massage not suitable for everyone. Certain situations require seeking medical advice before a session. Among the main contraindications :

If in doubt, it is better to seek advice from a doctor before carrying out this type of treatment. . Before a first session, it can be useful to report possible health problems, chronic pain or medical history: “the practitioner can then adapt his practice according to the person’s situation”, according to the specialist.

The price of a thai massage varies depending on the duration of the session, the type of establishment and the experience of the practitioner. On average, it is necessary to count between 50 and 100 euros for an hour of thai massage In France. Rates may be higher at some high-end spas or for a traditional thai massage longer and more complete. Before booking, it is better to check the practitioner’s training and customer reviews, because this practice requires real technical mastery.