Laguna Thai Massage

Benefits

What is Thai massage?

Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha. physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. For Centuries, Thai massage was performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine.

What does Thai massage feel like?

Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than classic forms of massage. Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people sayThai massage is like doing yoga without any work. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are also used during treatment. People describe Thai massage as both relaxing and energizing.

Why is Massage Therapy Important?

It’s second nature to comfort a distraught friend by rubbing her shoulder, or to instinctively rub your big toe to ease pain after stubbing it. Massage therapy operates on a similar premise, and has been used throughout the ages for pain management, relaxation and healing. Massage increases blood and lymph circulation, and improves tissue quality while stimulating and calming nerves. Massage can assist in healing injuries of muscles, tendons and ligaments, or enhance the quality of life for the elderly and terminally ill.

History

Massage, one of the oldest forms of healing, has been practiced across the world, from India to Rome. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics depicted foot massage rituals on papyrus artifacts, and early writings on massage in China trace as far back as 3000 B.C. Massage was used in the U.S. during World War I to treat patients experiencing nerve injury and shell shock. Now recognized as a genuine form of healing, many states regulate massage therapy and require therapists to earn certificates and licenses in order to work and set up practices.

Why is Massage Therapy Important?

Hippocrates

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was an advocate of massage. In 460 B.C., he wrote of the necessity for healers to incorporate rubbing into their practices. In his book “The History of Massage,” Noah Calvert identified the views and ideologies Hippocrates shared on massage as influencing the techniques used in massage today. Hippocrates recommended massaging toward the core of the body and heart to help the circulatory system eliminate waste and toxins. Prior to these suggestions, healers typically massaged away from the body’s center, toward the limbs, to release negative energy.

Endorphins and Neurotransmitters

In a study carried out by the American Psychiatric Association in 1987, a group of adolescent bulimic inpatients received massages over a significant period. Immediately following the massages, the girls experienced a reduction in anxiety and depression. By the end of the study, levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, had decreased, while dopamine levels had increased.Powerful chemicals released during a massage affect the mood, calm nerves and relieve pain. Endorphins are natural painkillers. They also strengthen your immune system, reduce stress and delay the aging process. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting nerve impulses, promotes happy feelings. It also calms your nerves and improves sleep. Dopamine, also a neurotransmitter, allows you to perceive pleasure and pain, promotes feelings of joy and love, and assists with focus, coordination and movement.

The “Cuddle” Hormone

In an interview published by the Life Science Foundation, Kerstin Uvas-Moberg, M.D., Ph.D., and author of “The Oxytocin Factor,” stated that massage therapy helps activate oxytocin in the body. Oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, is central to female reproduction. Although women tend to have higher levels of oxytocin, men produce small amounts. It encourages bonding and affection, reduces levels of cortisol, promotes relaxation and lowers blood pressure.

Benefits Muscular System

Massage therapy helps regulate and improve the functioning of the body to improve posture, blood circulation, breathing, removal of toxins and regeneration of tissue. It can provide relief to chronic pain associated with muscles and connective tissue such as tendons, ligaments and fascia. Painful muscle adhesions, or knots, generally occur with overuse of muscles, and scar tissue can develop following injuries. These conditions affect muscle function and can restrict range of motion. Massage breaks up adhesions and prevents scar tissue from forming during the healing process.

Benefits Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system plays an essential role in filtering and removing toxic waste while transporting white blood cells around the body to fight infection. An article published by the American Cancer Society presented the story of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer. The 58-year-old opted for alternative therapy to treat symptoms of lymphedema, a swelling of the limbs that occurs when lymph nodes are blocked. Cancer treatment can trigger lymphedema. The patient, who was opposed to having her lymph nodes surgically removed, opted for lymph drainage and massage therapy. Repeated massages allowed her to control the condition and see an improvement.

Infant and Elderly

A 2001 review published by Science Direct highlighted the positive effects massage therapy has on preterm infants. Infants who are regularly massaged experience an increase in weight and bone density. Massage can also improve the condition of many elderly people suffering from ailments such as arthritis, muscle stiffness, achy joints and impaired circulation.