LaVida Massage Thai Massage is a combination of assisted stretching and massage to dissolve blockages in the energy lines, thus stimulating the flow of blood throughout the body. This service is done in loose clothing with no oil.
Unlike typical Western-type massages, it doesn’t involve lying on a massage table while a Massage Therapist applies oil to your body and kneads your muscles and pressure points. Instead, you lie fully clothed on a mat on the ground while a practitioner uses stretching, pulling, and rocking techniques to relieve tension, promote relaxation, and improve flexibility and circulation.
Sometimes referred to as assisted yoga, Thai Massage is focused on improving the flow of energy throughout your body.
Researchers in Thailand studied the effects of Thai Massage on a group of 120 people with non-specific low back pain. Half the test group was treated with Thai Massage and the rest with other conservative management techniques that included joint mobilization (a technique that involves applying pressure), hot packs, and manual stretching to painful areas. Both groups were treated twice a week for 4 weeks, and both groups had significant pain relief.
Other studies have found that Thai Massage reduces back pain associated with trigger points — tight, painful muscle clusters — in the upper back.
Although Thai Massage is more energetic than other forms of massage therapy, it has been shown to lower anxiety and increase a systemic feeling of calm. Studies have found that people who receive Thai Massage test lower on measures of psychological stress following treatment. Brain scans of people who received Thai Massage treatments showed more relaxation and much lower anxiety than people who underwent physical therapy treatments for the same conditions.
