If you want to warm-up your body for the different stresses ahead, and increase your liveliness tenfold, you should try getting a Thai massage. Created 2500 years ago, the Thai Massage is believed to have been originated from Buddha’s physician, Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, This type of massage combines yoga and techniques of deep tissue massage. Unlike what its name implies, though, this type of massage originated in India, instead of Thailand.

As it made its way to Thailand, the massage incorporated some of the techniques in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its practices today is a mixture of various practices from India, China, and other Southeast Asian countries. Thai massage, as performed by monks for healing, covers a big part of Traditional Thai Medicine (TTM), and is known by the natives as “Nurat Phaen Boran.”

Thai massage is a mixture of deep tissue massage, which uses intense pressure to heal the muscles below the surface, and the stretching of joints, which is said to ‘align the energy’ in your body as referenced from yoga’s principles. Acupressure, or the pinpointing of certain pressure points in the body, is also integrated in the massage.

Unlike in most massages, you do not need oil or lotion to be applied on your skin before undergoing Thai massage. It is also advised that you wear comfortable clothes, if you are not so comfortable in the nude. If you are sensing any signs of discomfort, let your therapist know right away. If the treatment gives you discomfort instead of relaxation, it isn’t doing its job. A word of caution, though; you should NOT eat a heavy meal before even beginning with the treatment. Otherwise, you will either throw up, or develop appendicitis.

Aside from the relaxation you’ll get from a Thai massage treatment, it also improves blood circulation, just like other kinds of massage. It’s also said to make you livelier and increase your energy. Granted that it incorporates the principles of yoga in the treatment, it also increases the body’s flexibility

Though very beneficial in a lot of ways, there are people with certain conditions who are advised NOT to take Thai massage. These conditions are:

• Rashes, skin diseases and open wounds
• Had undergone surgery for the last month
• Had undergone a a radiation treatment such as chemotherapy (unless advised otherwise)
• Prone to blood clots.
• Heart diseases (seek advice from a doctor if you have a heart condition)
• Pregnant women

This ancient art of relaxation and treatment made its way to the present times to help you out with your posture and stress problems. Combined with the precision techniques of the Chinese, the Indian art of Yoga, and today’s discoveries, the Thai massage is a classic art of healing, both the physical, and the spiritual aspects of your body.