Thai Foot massage is a centuries-old therapy that helps people heal and maintain their health. A foot massage therapist can employ various techniques in a wide range of styles. For example, they can apply pressure with their hands, knuckles, or sticks.
What are these variations about, how do they affect healing, and which style should you choose? Several questions intrigue you. Don’t worry.
This article will help you understand what Thai reflexology is and how it can aid in healing various health issues. Not only that, but you’ll also learn all the details of this miraculous healing therapy. Here we come.
What is a Thai Foot Massage?
Thai Reflexology (also known as Thai Foot Massage is much more than a soothing foot rub!
It provides gentle acupressure that affects the entire body, offering a pleasant, energising massage of the feet and lower legs.
You may be familiar with the Chinese concept of Chi (pronounced “chi”), which is described as a life force, similar to the yogic idea of prana.
In traditional Chinese medicine, there are ten major energy lines, also known as meridians. These lines run throughout the body, serving as pathways for the movement of “Chi.” They also run through the soles of the feet.
Stress and environmental contaminants, for example, can diminish, hinder, or entirely obstruct the natural flow of energy along meridian lines. According to acupuncture and acupressure theories, each foot contains 7,200 sensory nerves.
These nerve endings are linked to the body’s internal organs.
Meridians are also known as Sen lines in Thai Foot Massage. Pressure points along these Sen lines are softly and methodically stimulated during a Thai Foot Massage.
Additionally, hands-on manipulation, rotations, stretching, and massaging of the knee, lower leg, and foot muscles are integral to the treatment. Stimulating reflex points on the feet, which correspond to internal organs, rejuvenates and relaxes the body, thereby improving overall well-being.
Thai Foot Massage Origin
As the name implies, it is a massage conducted in the lovely and exotic country of Thailand. The massage is thought to have originated in India over 1000 years ago, is based on Ayurvedic medicinal principles, and was carried to Thailand by Buddha’s disciples.
It’s a common belief that Thai massage originated in India, where Buddhism and Yoga are practised. Therefore, it resembles the latter discipline in stretching and concentration.
The poses that combine in this massage are remarkably similar to yoga asanas, and this traditional Thai massage is sometimes known as ‘assisted yoga’ or ‘yoga for the lazy.’ Shivagakomarpaj, a physician close to the Buddha, is credited with founding Thai massage.
Chinese medicine has also significantly influenced this form of massage. This type of massage involves applying pressure to specific energy points and key body locations, viewing the human being as a union of body, mind, and spirit.
It is one of the four main disciplines of Thai medicine, encompassing herbs, diet, spiritual practices, and physical treatment procedures. As in other Eastern cultures, a person’s health is dependent on their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. This form of massage attempts to strike a balance between these levels.
Traditional Thai Foot Massage vs Thai Reflexology?
You can have a Thai Foot Massage in two styles:
Style-1: Thai Foot Massage (With no Oil)
A traditional Thai massage typically begins with a foot massage, and the therapist then works their way up the entire body. These sessions are often performed on a floor mat, with the client fully clothed and without oil.
Working without oil includes sliding or stroking movements. These approaches typically involve pressure points, as well as additional foot manipulation and stretching.
Therapists use their thumbs, forearms, elbows, knees, and feet to work on the spine, sacrum, and side positions.
Style-2: Thai Reflexology
The second type is not part of a full-body massage but focuses on the feet. During such a massage, the customer sits in a comfy chair and rests their feet on a stool.
While working on the feet, the therapist sits on a tiny stool or chair. Because this type of foot massage uses oil or lotion, the methods primarily involve stroking movements with the thumbs, knuckles, or the entire palm.
It’s the Thai equivalent of foot reflexology. It’s not a genuine reflexology approach, but rather a combination of general foot massage therapy and work on other sections of the body. This type of foot massage typically focuses on the calf muscles.
As a final element of the foot massage treatment, clients also receive massage work on their neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. The client then sits on the stool, their foot resting on the floor, while the therapist stands.
Although these are two different systems, they are members of the same bodywork family. Most foot massage practitioners are also educated in Thai massage, and the two systems overlap in specific ways. For example, therapists often incorporate foot stretches into a reflexology treatment.
Which is Better—Thai Reflexology with and without Wooden Sticks
The massage practitioner can perform Thai Reflexology (also known as Thai Foot Massage) with or without using a wooden massage stick, relying solely on their hands and other body parts for manipulation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of utilising such a stick? What are the pros and disadvantages of such bars?
Here are two perspectives on the usage of the stick:
From the Client’s Point of View:
As a client receiving a Thai Foot Massage with a stick, you may dislike the use of foot massage sticks. They have an extremely unpleasant pokey sensation.
They lack the delicate nature of the human hand since they’re inflexible and rough. You don’t feel them as relaxing as human hands.
Imagine you’re in Thailand and stroll into a foot massage parlour. You have enormous and powerful feet, and you wind up with a female therapist with tiny hands and little power. In this situation, you might admire the stick’s increased ferocity.
From the Practitioner’s Point of View:
The stick allows the therapist to apply more significant pressure with less effort. It will enable you to use deep pressure in a single place without overusing your thumbs. The pointed end of the stick allows the therapist to perform more precise work. However, it’s not easy to imagine how this could be enjoyable.
What Does Thai Foot Massage Do to Your Body?
Foot massage treatments include “health foot massage” and “reflexology.” Both methods involve the body’s internal organs, providing a more effective impact than relaxing. We’ve compiled five unexpected benefits of Thai Foot Massage.
Improve the performance of muscles, joints, and tendons.
The feet are the organs that must constantly withstand the weight and pressure of the body. As a result, it is a heavily used area and, in turn, often burdened. Foot massage promotes flexibility and relaxation of muscles, joints, and tendons, allowing them to function more efficiently, as a study on Diabetic patients has shown. It’ll relax your foot muscles and improve your movements.
Improve blood circulation and balance the physiological system
Thai massages can also boost blood and lymphatic flow to the nerve centres and muscles in the soles of the feet. Consequently, internal organs function more efficiently, enhancing body balance and overall health. It’ll be more noticeable as you age and don’t engage in activities that require using the body the way young people do.
Relieve stress and calm your mind.
A foot massage is similar to visiting a spa for your feet. It helps relax the body and reduce muscular tension and anxiety. In traditional Chinese medicine, the soles of the feet are said to be connected to the brain by nerves.
According to research, Thai Foot Massage can help reduce migraines. Thus, it gives the brain a break, allowing you to achieve a sense of peace. As a result, you’ll be able to sleep better and for more extended periods.
You know a lot more about your organs than you believe
According to Chinese medicine, the soles of the feet are nerve centres that connect to the body’s internal organs. By pressing the soles of the feet, you can determine which area of the organ is causing trouble.
When you apply pressure to a spot near an organ and experience pain, then there is an issue with that organ, either it’s malfunctioning, or it’s ill. To diagnose what type of sickness/illness you have, you need to get a doctor to perform a physical exam to find out if you have many of the symptoms of your sickness or disease.
Complementary therapy for traditional medicine
Generally speaking, getting a professional foot massage is very safe as it does not involve using medications or chemicals. Consequently, traditional medicine has used foot massage as a complementary therapy for patients who have had a stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, foot massage has been proven beneficial in treatment and improves patients’ quality of life.
Better Sleep
If you have difficulty sleeping, booking a Thai foot reflexology treatment is a natural solution. It is best to perform a foot massage before bed, as it helps improve circulation and promote better sleep.
How can Thai Foot Massage Benefit Athletes?
During training, athletes are prone to weariness, muscle and joint pain, and injury. As a result, many athletes consult with expert sports massage therapists.
Sports massage treats sports injuries and improves an athlete’s range of motion by combining aided stretches and other massage techniques, especially Thai Foot Massage, to target specific areas of healing. Practitioners use assisted stretching to target particular areas or muscle groups of the body.
Thai Foot Massage’s dynamic stretches may offer more profound and restorative benefits than some assisted stretching techniques used in sports massage. Thai Foot reflexology offers energetic and revitalising benefits, as well as relaxation, helping athletes rejuvenate both mentally and physically.
Thai therapy also enhances circulation, allowing more oxygen to reach muscles and other tissues. It may help prevent injuries and boost healing in athletes after vigorous exercise.
What to Expect During a Thai Foot Massage?
You may typically lie on the floor for a Thai Foot Massage. Your certified massage therapist gently manipulates your feet and lower legs through a series of stretches. The therapist may use their hands and massage sticks to massage and exercise your feet in multiple postures gently.
You do not need to prepare in advance for a Thai massage, but you should consider the following advice:
- Please arrive about 10 minutes early to complete any necessary paperwork before your appointment.
- You should inform your therapist of any significant health concerns you have had in your past; some medical conditions will make it challenging to receive a Thai massage.
- When you arrive for your appointment, please dress in comfortable clothing (loose-fitting or athletic) so your massage is as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Also, try not to wear anything too tight, as you do not want to restrict your movement during your massage.
How Often Can You Get a Thai Foot Massage?
Thai massages make you feel extremely relaxed. Although the muscles are stretched, exercised, and stimulated by massage, it’s essential to take time to relax and drink plenty of water before returning to normal activity levels post-massage.
Since there are no restrictions on how many times you can get a Thai foot massage, you can choose a frequency based on your physical and mental needs. It is also important to incorporate stretching and relaxing techniques into your daily routine. This will help keep your muscles flexible for more extended periods after receiving the reflexology massage.
It is also wise to listen to your body. If you experience consistent discomfort or pain in one part of your foot, contact your doctor. There could be an underlying medical condition that needs medical care.
Does Thai Foot Massage Hurt?
If your foot muscles are sore or stiff, you may experience discomfort. If this occurs, notify your practitioner to reduce pressure and, in turn, strain. If you have an injury or a body part that is susceptible to pain, please inform your practitioner before the massage session begins.
Where Can You Get a Thai Foot Massage?
Any certified massage therapist can help you experience a soulful and healing Thai Foot Massage. You can get this rejuvenating and reinvigorating massage at London’s most recognised Spa, Asiatic Thai Massage Islington:
93 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0NP. Open Monday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm. 020 7288 8702 call to BOOK TODAY!