What is Thai Massage and Myofascial Release?
What is Thai Massage?
Thai massage is a blend of yoga and massage, also called “Thai yoga” or “lazy yoga.” Thai massage originates from Thailand with a rich history of blended healing modalities.
The receiver wears loose, comfortable clothing and lies down on a padded floor mat. The practitioner does not use lotions or oils.
Your session starts lying on your back in a resting pose. The practitioner guides you through a short relaxation meditation. The practitioner starts the session at the receiver’s feet and works up toward the head. The practitioner provides gentle assisted stretches to the legs and arms of the receiver. Gentle twists are provided throughout. The practitioner applies pressure using her hands and feet. The practitioner will instruct the receiver to change positions throughout the session which may include lying on one side, lying face down, or sitting in a comfortable seated position.
The only thing the receiver is required to do is breathe. Just like practicing yoga, breathing is a vital piece of receiving bodywork. The practitioner will guide you to breathe throughout the session and will check in on pressure.
Thai massage is a wonderful alternative to a typical massage session. Many clients report that they prefer Thai massage over a typical massage because it feels more nurturing.
What is myofascial release?
According to John Barnes of Myofascial Release Treatment Centers:
“Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. This essential “time element” has to do with the viscous flow and the piezoelectric phenomenon: a low load (gentle pressure) applied slowly will allow a viscoelastic medium (fascia) to elongate.
Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures that do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.)
Each Myofascial Release Treatment session is performed directly on skin without oils, creams or machinery. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia.”