The Thai Massage: A Unique Blend of Movement, Pressure & Energy Work
What is Thai Massage? What's it like?
Thai Massage is a holistic bodywork experience -- a full session often described like going to your massage therapist, acupuncturist, chiropractor and then a yoga class.
Is all Thai Massage the same?
No, there's Northern and Southern Thai massage. Hope practices Northern Thai which is typically a longer session that moves at a slower pace, moves between gentle to strong pressure while combining yoga like stretches, compressions and Sen Line work.
What are the benefits of Thai Massage?
The benefits of Thai Massage are very similar to traditional massage -- improvements in posture, balance, body alignment, range of motion, flexibility; Neuromuscular reeducation; reduction in fascial restrictions, stress, anxiety.
One of the big differences between the two is in how the massage is performed and received by your body - you stay dressed, there's no lotion/oil, and the stretches often move deeper tissues that can be challenging for traditional massage to reach.
The other big difference between the two is that Thai Massage often incorporates work along the Sen Line System - the ten Thai energy lines. Much like the Chinese Meridian Lines, work on the Sen Lines are believed to influence the different body systems.
Why would anyone go for a 2hr Thai Massage? -- that sounds like a lot.
It can be! Hope recommends the full 2hr service as a way to
kickstart a journey to more flexibility and less tension in your body;
be part of your monthly wellness plan;
help your tissues stay flexible and supple, especially if you are an athlete or have a very physical lifestyle
for those that are find themselves really 'tight' with very little flexibility so much so that traditional massage feels like nothing really gets in there, 2-3 biweekly sessions may be just the reset your body has been waiting for
What should I expect during the 2hr Thai Massage?
The 2hr service is typically a mat service, however we also offer a 2hr table service.
The 2hr mat service includes Sen Line work for your head, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, glutes and back. Because it is on the Mat, you should be able to get down and up from the floor.
The 2hr table service will include Sen Line work for all areas except your arms with appropriate modifications to be made.
In both:
You should come in dressed as though you were going to exercise (comfortable, non-restrictive clothing) and will remain clothed
You will be laying both face up and face down, regardless if the service on the Mat or on the table
At your first service, there will be an intake completed, with review of your health history, before the session to make sure you can receive Thai Massage safely and whether any accommodations need to be made.
IT IS IMPORTANT that you let the person scheduling your appointment know it is your first session so that 15min can be added for the intake. AND PLEASE make sure you CLICK THE LINK in your confirmation email to fill out your health history and consent forms BEFORE coming in to your first service.
Thai Massage requires the Massage therapist to be on the floor or on the table with their client. During the service, massage therapists use their hands, arms, legs, feet, and bodyweight to move clients through the session -- it's a full body experience for both client and therapist. As such, informed consent will be covered and must be obtained before any Thai services are started.
Does it have to be a 2hr service or are there shorter services?
Yes, we have shorter Thai services. The full body Thai Massage is 2hr and includes work on much of the Sen Line System. Any service less than 2hr will be tailored to a specific need (for example - low body vs upper body) and will by necessity omit parts of the full service.
What other Thai services do you offer?
We also offer the following Thai services:
1hr Thai service that will be conducted on the table and will focus on either upper body or lower body. There will be much less, if any, Sen Line work completed unless a client requests it, with the understanding that including Sen Line Work will reduce other components of the service, such as the stretching and compressions.
Thai foot, as either a 30 or 60 min service.
the 60min service is the full Foot service that includes work on the Sen Lines of the Foot
the 30min service omits the the Sen Line work and focus on stretches and compressions of the low leg and foot only
1hr Thai Herbal Compress Massage. This service is clothed, performed on the table using 2 Thai Herbal Compresses that are steamed to activate their ingredients. The compresses are used to do much of the compressions while a client is moved through various stretches both lying face up and down. This Thai service includes hydrotherapy (moist heat) and aromatherapy with herbal compresses that have ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties. Currently this service can not be last minute scheduling as the herbal compresses are made fresh by Hope. Clients will be given their compresses to take with them, along with information on how they can be used at home.
The 1hr Thai services will have the same expectations as the 2hr Thai services:
be conducted in clothing that you would wear to exercise
be both face up and down
first appointments should be indicated to the person scheduling to include an additional 15min for intake and review of health history
all paperwork (health history AND consent forms) should be completed BEFORE your session begins
the massage therapist will be moving on/off the table as is necessary to meet your needs for the session
What if I have arthritis, things going on with my discs, or other health issues -- can I still get a Thai Massage?
Most likely yes! Almost everything in Thai massage can be adapted to meet a client's body where it is at. However, your intake and health history review at your first session will confirm that Thai can be performed safely and what, if any, accommodations need to be made to ensure a client's safety and comfort.
Definite contraindications for Thai massage are few, however you may want to talk to Hope about possible accommodations so that you can safely receive Thai massage:
Clients with the follow current situations cannot book for Thai services:
currently Hope is not taking pre-natal clients for Thai massage, she hopes to open this service up in the future
acute injuries, broken bones and/or surgical incisions that are still healing
acute and/or contagious infection (includes fever)
any injection within 2hrs of your scheduled service
any substances that reduce a client's ability to feel discomfort within 4hrs of your scheduled service
accommodations may be possible for the following, depending on the cause, the severity and/or where it is located on the body an area maybe avoided or general accommodations made:
recent dislocations or dislocations that are still healing
open sores, some skin conditions, burns
current sprains and/or strains
MS, Parkinson's, and other movement disorders - in fact, Thai massage can be a help to those with movement disorders
any condition you are taking medications for (current status of condition and medicine side-effects need to be reviewed)
implants
cancer
osteopenia/osteoporosis, chronic illness/injury/restrictions at joint(s), issues in the spine
hypermobility
varicose veins (this is different than spider veins)
This is NOT a complete list - please make sure to fully complete your health history to the best of your ability so that you can receive a safe service
I'm really interested, but I still have some concerns and questions. Is there any way I can talk to Hope before I book?
We are a busy practice, so the fastest way to reach out with additional questions would be to email hope at hope@rmclinics.com please put "Thai massage questions" in the subject line. If necessary, Hope will reach out to schedule a quick phone call to answer your questions.
Reflexology Tuesdays: 20% off on Tuesdays. Hot towels, aromatherapy and all the love for the feet in a perfect 60 minute reflexology session