Thai Massage at the Relax Center Prague Czech Republic

Thai Massage - History and Myths

The art of Thai massage continues teachings that are over two and a half thousand years old. These traditional massage methods have many different variations - they can be done for example using oil or as a reflective massage. However, they all have one thing in common: They are completely different from the European style professional massage, which is usually applied on a naked body.

Originally, the traditional Thai massage was practiced in Buddhist temples, therefore requiring the treated person to be completely covered. Even today, a person is fully clothed when receiving a Thai massage.

The Thai massage forces the illness out of the body. The method is based on the theory of energy paths - the so-called meridians - through which vital energy travels through our bodies. This theory also has its support in traditional Chinese medicine.

Unlike conventional massage, which uses kneading as the massaging movement, the techniques used in the Thai massage use pressing and putting weight on the critical points. It is the pressure that is applied to the energy centers - chakras - that heals. The masseur slowly pushes all over the patient?s body using his thumbs, heels, knees, forearms and the palms of his hand.

The pushing loosens the blocked paths - meridians - and causes improvements. Occasionally, Thai massage may be slightly painful but that only happens in patients suffering from more severe, acute or chronic conditions. In order to be effective, one should plan to spend two to three hours with the masseur - the ideal time according to experts. One hour is definitely the minimum duration. That is also why Thai massage is sometimes nicknamed the 'lazy man's exercise or yoga'. Although it lasts longer than the traditional massage that we are used to in this geographic area, it is a very pleasant experience that always helps.

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