Thai massage

View Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses.

Thailand undoubtedly tops the list of many people's dream destinations. Aside from the beautiful beaches and welcoming people, its famous massages offer a popular attraction. This ancient craft dates back thousands of years (Thai masseurs trace their heritage back to a contemporary of Buddha, Jivara Kumarabacca) and is a delicate art form. Its Thai name is "nuat phaen boran" meaning the massage of ancient custom or tradition.

Authentically, Thai massage is performed on a mat on the floor, although Western practitioners may perform it on a conventional massage couch. Most sessions usually last two hours. It is a slow and methodical process which can feel like meditation. You may well lose all sense of time during the leisurely experience. Thai massage can be performed over loose, comfortable clothing as no oil is used. It takes place in silence and you will be encouraged to breathe deeply to aid the meditative nature of the session which aims to bring mental peace as well as physical wellbeing.

In Thailand itself massage is considered to be a form of medicine and it is credited with healing many conditions including chronic back pain, depression, and insomnia. It is increasingly popular outside of Thailand, including in the United States where it has spread widely since the 1990's.

Your therapist will use hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, knees, and feet in treatment. They will use various techniques including rocking the body, stretching the body, moving it into yoga positions, compressing the muscles, and working along Sen lines which are energy lines along the body, affecting chakras. It is similar in this respect to shiatsu or acupressure. This combination of moves has a dynamic effect on the body which is both calming and energizing.

The practitioner starts at the feet and gently works upwards to finish at the head, loosening and stretching the body as they go with passive yoga stretches. Each move is gentle on both client and therapist and is combined with acupressure using thumbs and palms of the hands. There is also rocking in time to the client's own pulse. The therapist may even step on the client or use elbows, feet, or knees but uses skilled techniques to ensure that the client feels only the gentle release of tension.

The therapist may also use trigger point therapy to stop and then release the flow of blood to certain regions of the body. The blood is usually stopped for 30 seconds and then released, giving an exhilarating sensation that is invigorating to experience. It is considered to boost circulation.

Once the therapist has reached your head, the massage ends with a mini head massage to stimulate circulation to the brain. Finally your ears will be closed off for a few moments by the therapist's fingers and then released as a way to restore you to the present.

Thai massage aims to be a truly holistic therapy and therapists believe that it works on the mind and the body as well as the spirit to achieve complete alignment and balance. It is suitable for anyone of any age or health condition. It can help to relax the mind, improve circulation, open up energy lines, soothe and ease tension and chronic pain, and ease sleep. You should feel calm and restored and may also feel that you walk taller and straighter after a Thai massage. It is advised that you allow plenty of time to come round after a massage and ideally you will not plan anything strenuous for the rest of the day following a Thai massage. The ideal accompaniment is a gentle stroll through nature, allowing the benefits of the massage to be felt fully.

Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses

ATI Career Training Center

Qualified students who wish to sit for the National Certification exam should take the 200-hour Advanced Massage Therapy Program. We train students in advanced techniques such as Trigger Point therapies and Myofascial Release which will teach students how to deal with more in depth conditions.

Diploma.
Massage Therapy (MT), Massage Therapy, Professional Massage Therapy.
Texas.

Cortiva Institute

Certificate.
Massage Therapy Program.
Pennsylvania, Washington, Florida, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey.

The Salter School

Our objective is to provide students with a quality career education in the art of science and massage therapy. We also want to provide lessons in sound business practices that will lead our graduates to success in the marketplace.

Certificate.
Massage Therapy.
Massachusetts.

Chattanooga College

Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
Tennessee.

National Holistic Institute

The skills needed for success in the rapidly growing, dynamic profession of massage therapy can be learned in our comprehensive 720 program. We offer a level of training second to none in our field.

Diploma.
Massage Therapist and Health Educator.
California.