Thai Oil massage is a full-body therapeutic form of massage that combines techniques of traditional Thai massage with long gliding motions along the Sen lines, facilitated by the use of essential massage oils. Unlike Traditional Thai massage, which is performed on the mat on the floor, Thai Oil massage is performed on a massage table.
While many elements of Traditional Thai massage are incorporated, focus is on gliding motions instead of the more static and pointed acupressure. Compared to Traditional Thai massage, Thai Oil massage is more passive form of treatment and, depending on intensity, can also be more relaxing. Desired intensity is communicated to the therapist before the massage.
Massage typically starts with acupressure through the towel covering the body, using fingers, palms and knees, to prepare the body for the oil massage. Then the therapist applies oil on the skin and works with her fingers, palms, elbows, and forearms on various parts of the client’s body, including the back, neck, shoulders, legs, feet and arms, using long gliding motions, circular motions, kneading, stroking and other techniques. Special attention is given to areas of tension and muscle knots. Stretching techniques are intermixed but, for the most part, reserved for the final phase of the treatment. At the end of the treatment excess oil is removed from the body with towel.
Thai Oil massage helps to induce deep relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety. By relieving muscle tension and improving circulation, it can alleviate chronic pain and discomfort, particularly in the back, neck, and shoulders. Enhanced blood flow and lymphatic drainage can help to detoxify the body and promote healing. Essential oils can, through hydration and nourishment, provide therapeutic benefits to the skin.
Individuals with certain health conditions, such as severe skin allergies, infections, or recent surgeries, should avoid Thai Oil massage.
Recommended duration of Thai Oil massage is 60 or 90 minutes, but shorter and longer sessions are also possible. Note that 30 minutes duration is insufficient for full-body massage, instead only back, neck and head is treated in that shortened time-span.
Relax Oil massage is a therapeutic and soothing massage that primarily aims to induce deep relaxation and provide stress reduction.
Although not the primary focus, the massage techniques used also help to ease muscle tension and muscle pain, but intensity of the pressure and techniques used are more relaxed and enjoyable for the body. Therapeutic oil massage techniques like long gliding motions, circular motions and kneading are used, but massage is performed at comparatively slower pace, light to medium pressure, to enhance relaxation and allow the recipient to unwind completely. Relaxation can be enhanced with addition of essential aromatic oils to the base oil, adding therapeutic effect to the skin and pleasant, calming fragrance to the massage room. The session ends with some basic stretching routines and a few minutes of rest, allowing the client to absorb the benefits of the massage.
Through stress reduction on both body and mind Relax Oil massage promotes improved sleep quality, enhanced mood and circulation. With regular treatments it also helps maintain overall well-being of the body.
Recommended duration of Relax Oil massage is 90 minutes, but shorter and longer sessions are also possible, depending on client’s preferences.
Aroma Oil massage, or aromatherapy massage, combines the benefits of massage therapy with the aromatic and healing properties of essential oils.
It draws on Relax Oil massage with added focus on aromatic oils, mixed in with base oils before being applied on the body. Different aromatic oils have different properties, such as calming, pain reducing, antimicrobial and circulation boosting. Slow paced, lighter pressure motions are used for applying the oil mixture on the skin, while the pleasant fragrance of aromatic oil enriches the ambience of the room.
Commonly used essential oils include lavender and ylang-ylang for relaxation, stress relief and sleep improvement, peppermint for invigoration and muscle pain relief, eucalyptus for respiratory relief and muscle pain, chamomile for its relaxation and anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary for improved circulation and pain relief, and citrus oils like orange and lemon for mood enhancement and energizing effects.
While Aroma Oil massage is typically combined with the slow motions of relax massage it can also be combined with stronger massage, like Thai Oil massage or Deep Tissue massage, depending on the client’s needs.
Therapeutic effect provided by the Aroma Oil massage is enhanced with inhalation of aromatic scents making this massage ideal for those who seek refuge from the physical and mental stress. Sleep quality, enhanced mood, circulation and muscle tension are also among the benefits of aromatherapy.
Recommended duration of Aroma Oil massage is 90 minutes, but shorter and longer sessions are also possible, depending on client’s preferences.
Hot oil massage combines the therapeutic benefits of warmed oils with Thai oil massage techniques to relax the body and nourish the skin.
The warm oil more easily penetrates the skin and helps to ease muscle tension, improve circulation, and leave your skin feeling hydrated and rejuvenated. Hot oil massage is performed with warmed up base oils like almond and coconut, but a blend of base oils with essential, aromatic oils can be used to enhance relaxation and provide a luxurious experience. Suitable for stress relief, reducing stiffness, and promoting overall well-being, it’s a perfect way to unwind and recharge.
Deep Tissue massage is a variant of Thai Oil massage with specific aim of providing relief from chronic muscle tension, pain, and stiffness.
It involves a combination of firm pressure and targeted muscle manipulation with some Traditional Thai massage stretching techniques. This technique focuses on the deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue to address knots and stiffness. The therapist uses their fingers and thumbs for pinpointed pressure at specific areas of discomfort, knuckles are used to apply deeper pressure over a larger area, while elbows and forearms are utilized to apply the deepest pressure to tackle the knots across broader muscle groups. It’s crucial to communicate to the therapist the level of pressure a client is comfortable with. If needed, level of pressure can also be adjusted during the therapy.
Deep Tissue massage helps alleviate chronic pain by targeting deep-seated muscle tension and breaking down adhesions. It is especially helpful for chronic aches and pains and contracted areas such as stiff neck and upper back, low back pain, sciatica, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders. Other benefits include improved mobility, enhanced circulation, and, through the release of endorphins, sense of deep relaxation and stress relief.
Deep tissue work can sometimes lead to temporary soreness. Drinking plenty of water after the massage can help flush out toxins and promote healing.
This massage is ideal for athletes, individuals with chronic muscle pain or anyone seeking to release significant muscle tension.
Recommended duration of Deep Tissue massage is 60 minutes, but durations of 90 and 120 minutes are also possible, depending on specific needs.
Back, Neck & Head massage uses all the techniques of Thai Oil massage, working on the Sen lines with long gliding and circular motions, but full attention is given to upper back part of the body, i.e. back, neck and head.
It focuses on relieving muscle pain, tension and stiffness in the lower back, upper back, neck and head areas. It is ideal for individuals with sedentary lifestyles or jobs that involve prolonged sitting, typically working with computer. It is also recommended for people experiencing chronic neck and upper back pain, sciatica, or suffering from headaches or migraines, or seeking relief from prolonged exposure to mental stress, all ailments typical of the present day.
Back, Neck & Head massage helps alleviate pain and discomfort in the back, neck, and head caused by muscle tension and stiffness, it can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches and migraines, help correct postural imbalances by relieving muscle tightness, reduce stress levels, improve sleep and enhance blood flow through the stiff areas thus promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
Recommended duration of Back, Neck & Head massage is 60 minutes, but shorter and longer sessions are also available, depending on specific needs.
Swedish massage is one of the most widely practiced types of massage therapy. It involves a variety of techniques designed to relax the entire body, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tension.
The techniques used in Swedish massage include long strokes that glide over the skin to warm up the muscles, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. Kneading, rolling, and squeezing movements are used to break up muscle knots and improve flexibility. Rhythmic tapping or pounding is used to stimulate muscles, increase blood flow, and invigorate the body. Deep, circular rubbing movements are used to break down scar tissue and realign muscle fibers. Rapid, shaking movements are used to relax and loosen muscles and soothe nerves.
Benefits of Swedish massage include deep relaxation and stress reduction, enhancing circulation, easing of muscle tension and soreness, and flushing out toxins through improved lymphatic drainage.
Swedish massage is recommended for athletes and more generally for people experiencing muscle tension or soreness or seeking stress relief.
Recommended duration of Swedish massage is 60 minutes, but 90 minutes session is also possible.
Prenatal massage is a specialized form of massage therapy adapted to the needs of pregnant women. Many massage techniques, positions and pressure points involve risk for the health of a pregnant woman or her baby and are consequently not recommended or strictly avoided. Pregnant woman must not lie on her stomach, but must lie on her side and her back, strong and persistent pressure and extensive foot massage should be avoided as well as prolonged treatments. Foot massage is especially delicate as feet are where the Sen lines converge and where stimulation of specific points translates into stimulation of various internal organs, including uterus. Trained therapist will avoid sensitive spots and ensure the safety of both pregnant woman and her baby.
Prenatal massage targets common problem areas in pregnancy such as the lower back, hips, legs, and feet. Techniques used are gentle and slow strokes, gentle kneading and compression. Massage of the back is performed with client lying on her side with upper leg comfortably resting on the large cylindric pillow.
Prenatal massage alleviates pain and discomfort in the back, neck, hips, and legs associated with pregnancy, promotes relaxation and mental well-being, enhances blood flow, reducing swelling and edema, helps decrease fluid retention, particularly in the legs and feet, improves sleep quality and mood while reducing feelings of depression.
Prenatal massage is not recommended to last longer than 60 minutes.