Holistic Benefits of Thai Massage
At Thai Soul we are sensitive in catering to the needs and requirements of our customers. We identify any health concerns or requirements, preferences, and temperature or pressure requests related to your treatment, to ensure you get the most out of your thai soul experience.
Thai massage offers a number of short term and long term health and lifestyle benefits. It is important to recognise that traditional Thai Massage is primarily a healing massage and you may notice the following during and after your treatments:
- Relieves pain and muscle tension
- Strengthens and rejuvenates the body
- Improve blood and lymphatic circulation
- Frees blocked energy flows
- Increases flexibility through passive yoga postures
- Increases ability to absorb food
- Enhances elimination of wastes and toxins
- Invigorates the nervous system
- Facilitates relaxation
Thai massage is especially helpful in relieving certain specific ailment including headaches, migraines, arthritis, whiplash pain, paralysis, numbness, sciatica and back pain. If combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, it can make a real difference to one’s general health, mental attitude and well being.
The Benefits of Aroma
Jasmine
Known as "The king of flowers". Jasmine is steeped in history as an aphrodisiac and a plant of love, having been used since ancient times in potions and spells to capture, sustain or rekindle the affection of a loved one. Thai people use jasmine for mother's day. It is a symbolic of the love and given to the mother by the son or daughter.
Jasmine can be added in massage oil to boost confidence and reduce lethargy and relax muscles and joints. However, Jasmine should not be used during pregnancy
Lemongrass
Thai people use lemongrass as an ingredient for Thai food such as TomYum soup and add it to green curry paste and red curry paste.
The therapeutic effects are its anti bacterial action, thus making it good for skin complaints, sore throats and respiratory problems. It is also effective against headaches. It can help alleviate athlete's foot and is refreshing fragrance acts as an energizer. Massaged or breathed in, it tones the heart and works on the digestive system.
Peppermint
The Egyptians used this aromatic herb in flavoring wine and food and valued its menthol content. Culpeper recorded in the seventeenth century that it was the herb most useful for "complaints of the stomach, such as wind and vomiting" , for which there are few remedies of greater efficacy.
In addition, peppermint is also an ingredient for Thai recipes as well as being an important ingredient for Thai herbal medicines.
Peppermint is excellent for the digestion, as a decongestant and for skin disorders. It can be used for colds, flue, flatulence, headaches, indigestion, nausea and sunburn.
Ylang Ylang
The sweet, heady fragrance of ylang ylang acts as a powerful aphrodisiac, increasing libido and enhancing attraction between lovers. It's sensual and seductive between lovers.
The essential oil of this rich, heady and exotic flower works its magic on the heart and nervous system. Emotionally this essential oil can calm feelings of anger, shock, panic and fear. Also a great relaxer and highly recommended for anxiety. It also works well for depression, insomnia and has benefits in treating blood pressure and skin conditions.
However, some people find that a high dilution of the rich sweet fragrance can give them a headache or cause nausea.
Lavender
Lavender has a special beauty of its own. Few things are more lovely than the sight of its purple-blue flowers nodding in the breeze on a sunny day, while its clear, light and flowery fragrance fills the air with a distinctive aroma
The essential oil is distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant. The Pharaohs of Egypt used it as a fragrance and the Romans bathed in lavender water. It works well as an analgesic, easing muscular pain and tension, soothing cuts, scratches and burns. It is also recommended for menopausal problems.
Lavender should not be used during the first three months of pregnancy.
Rosemary
First favored by the Egyptians, rosemary was popular with the Greeks and Romans who believed it symbolised love and death. During the plague it was burned in public places and worn around the neck for its antiseptic qualities.
Rosemary is a good stimulant, especially for circulation and memory. Additionally it helps with alopecia bronchitis, burns, colds, dandruff, diarrhea, flatulence, headaches and obesity.
Rosemary should e avoided in the early stages of pregnancy and for those suffering from high blood pressure.
Lemon
Lemon is highly antiseptic and astringent, and so it is naturally used for skin complaints including boils, warts and veruccas. It is also good for lowering blood pressure, colds, digestive problems fever and gallstones. The aromas of lemon make it good to use in pregnancy massages.
Orange
It is refreshing but sedative, orange is a tonic for anxiety and depression. It also stimulates the digestive system and is effective for constipation. In addition, the aromas of orange make it good to use for pregnancy massages.
Aromas to avoid during Pregnancy
Bay, Basil, Clary Sage, Comfrey, Fennel, Hyssop, Juniper, Jasmine, Marjoram, Melissa, Myrrh, Rosemary, Lavender, Sage and Thyme
Recommended oils for Pregnancy
Chamomile, Geranium (in low doses), Lemon, Naroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood
Reference :
The art of sensual aromatherapy. Nitya Lacroix and Sakina Bowhay. 1995.