Thai table massage, also known as Nuat Thai and “lazy man’s yoga,” combines physical and energy aspects of massage that includes aspects of yoga, acupressure, and reflexology.
In this deep, full-body massage, the energy focus is on opening sen, or energy, lines throughout the body as the therapist works from the feet up the body. Thai massage stimulates the circulatory system, improving blood flow, and clears blockages in the body’s sen lines.
Stretching movements to improve flexibility and joint movement are other physical aspects of Thai table massage that improve blood flow and make this therapy popular for people with musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. In one study, results indicated that Thai massage was as effective as ibuprofen in reducing knee pain caused by osteoarthritis1.
People having a Thai table massage wear loose-fitting clothes and lie face down on a massage table as the massage therapist stretches and pushes the problematic tissue.
(Reference: 1 Chiranthanut, N., Hanprasertpon,N., Teekachunhatean, S. “Thai massage, and Thai herbal compress versus oral ibuprofen in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial,” Biomed Res Int, 2014, Article ID 490512, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/490512.)