What Is Thai Massage and Sports Massage?

What Is Thai Massage?

Thai Massage is one of the hot “new” massages offered by most spas, but it was actually developed by Buddhist monks in Thailand as a healing modality 2,500 years ago. It uses passive stretching and gentle pressure along the body’s energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle and joint tension and balance the body’s energy systems. It is both deeply relaxing and energizing.

Thai massage takes place on a futon mat on the floor, and you wear loose fitting clothing. Some spas, like The Mandarin Oriental, Miami,, provide you with an outfit to wear. Others may ask you to wear something loose and comfortable, like sweat pants. You start by laying on your back, and the therapist uses gentle compression and stretching techniques to open up your body, beginning with you legs.
Some people say Thai massage is a little like doing yoga without any effort, because the therapist will push your body into various positions without any work on your part.

Thai massage is done with all your clothes on, so some people recommend it if you feel uncomfortable with nudity during a Swedish massage . But my personal opinion it is not the best choice for first-time spa-goers. The therapist literally uses her whole body, including her feet, to move your body into various positions, so in some ways it feels more even intimate than a Swedish massage, where you lay on a massage table and are covered with sheets.

Thai massage has its roots in a spiritual tradition, and its purpose is to heal a person physically, emotionally and spiritually. It should not be confused with sensual massage.

What Is Sports Massage?

Sports Massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to relieve fatigue, to reduce swelling, to relax muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.

Sports massage is designed to help atheletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training.
But you don't have to be in the Olympics to benefit from sports massage. Sports massage is also good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. This is the type of sports massage that you see in the spa.

What Happens During Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a type of Swedish massage that stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Some sports massage movements use trigger point therapy to break down adhesions (knots in the muscles) and increase range of motion.

There are four types of sports massages:

* pre-event sports massage -- a short, stimulating massage 15 - 45 minutes before the event.
It is directed toward the parts of the body that will be involved in the exertion.
* post-event sports massage -- given within an hour or two of the event, to normalize the body's tissues.
* restorative sports massage -- given during training to allow the athelete to train harder and with less injury.
* rehabilitative sports massage -- aimed at alleviating pain due to injury and returning the body to health.
When Should I Get A Sports Massage At The Spa?
A sports massage is a good choice if you have a specific problem -- a tender knee from running, for instance. It is also be a good idea to see a movement therapist, who can help you identify and correct the movement pattern that might be causing your injury in the first place.
The therapist generally focuses in on the problem area -- a frozen shoulder or pulled hamstring, for instance -- rather than giving you a thorough full body massage.

Sometimes men who are new to the spa are more comfortable getting a sports massage because it sounds more masculine. That's fine, even if they don't have an injury.
No matter what type of massage you choose, the therapist should check in with you about what your needs and expectations are for the massage.

What is the purpose of Sports Massage?

The main purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body's soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. Sports massage can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether a person is an endurance athlete or a casual once-a-week jogger.

What types of techniques are there?

Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used. The technique often involves a blend of traditional Swedish massage, Stretching and Shiatsu. Each type of sport has different demands on its participants, and each sport uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports massage is designed to address those specific concerns and will differ according to the individuals needs. Sports massage can be aimed to help heal strained muscles and allow healthy ones to reach peak performance and maintain it while minimizing the risk of injury.

What are the benefits of Sports Massage?

Sports massage has many benefits. In addition to feeling good, sports massage reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces muscle tension, improves flexibility, and relieves pain. Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports Massage can also include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance lessen chances of injury and reduce recovery time.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted muscle fiber's and fascia. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

Why get a Deep Tissue Massage?

It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body. It's purpose is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic

Where and How to get a Massage?

We thought you would never ask. Here at Fraser Bicycle of course! Rebecca Reiber is our Massage Therapist, but we have to share her with Henry Ford Hospital, so she is only available by appointment. Rebecca will also be attending several of the local 3 Discipline events this year to help athletes before and after their events. We have several options available, so please give us a call to find out more.