Thai massage, also known as Thai-yoga, is a style of massage therapy that is gaining in popularity in the U.S. recently. More people who get massage are receiving Thai massage.

Massage therapy has been shown to be effective for treating low back pain naturally. With so many massage therapies being practiced, maybe it is time to examine the effectiveness of individual styles like Thai massage.

Thai massage foundations.
Thai massage is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is considered a more holistic approach to treating physical conditions than our modern Western medical model.

The Western approach to treating conditions is to look at each symptom, and each corresponding body area, separately from the rest of the body. When we strain a muscle, we repair that muscle. We don't pay attention to the surrounding muscles until they appear symptomatic. This is not holistic, or prevention-based.

Ayurveda and Thai massage are steeped in prevention and holistic treatment. When pain or tension arises, the whole body is treated. There is no question that muscles, organs, and other areas are affected when one is injured or diseased.

Thai massage applications.
Thai massage is a form of relaxed, gentle, assisted stretching. Some of its stretches are more dynamic, like yoga being applied to a relaxed person.

During a Thai massage session, the therapist will apply stretches to the client's entire body. In the process, the therapist loosens muscles and joints. They enhance movement and restore circulation in tight areas. They relieve stress and tension in restricted tissues.

Thai massage and back muscles.
When a therapist offers Thai massage, they do not focus on one area or muscle group. They apply their therapy to the whole body.

Back fitness depends on many muscles working together. When muscles in the lower back are weak, they are not fit. They are at risk for becoming strained or stressed.

Everyday activities are multi-directional and dynamic. Most daily activities require the use of several muscles working together in harmony. Back injuries commonly occur because the muscles are not prepared for dynamic, everyday functions.

Thai massage loosens all of the muscles in the back, and stretches all of the surrounding muscles. It treats the entire low back in a way that improves its ability to perform everyday activities.