Thai Massage vs Swedish Massage

Stressed out to the point of madness? Craving deep relaxation and bliss? This needs a nice pair of hands to loosen you up!

So, I bet that you definitely want to get nicely kneaded out but with so many massage types and disciplines, you definitely have no idea which one would exactly satisfy your needs.

Well, we’re here for the aid!

I’ll compare 2 types of massage disciplines for you; Thai and Swedish.

Both are based on completely dissimilar philosophies so naturally, they’re quite different procedure-wise and induce totally different feelings. Let’s find that out in detail.

What’s Thai Massage?

Also called “Thai Yoga Massage”, “Lazy Yoga” or “Lazy massage”; it’s a traditional healing system combining acupressure, Indian ayurvedic principles as well as incorporating the benefits of yoga postures.

Thai massage uses the strategy of blocking blood flow through sustained pressure for no more than 30 seconds then releasing such pressure. When the pressure is released, you’ll feel a gratifying rush of heat; it provides a true boost to your circulation.

It’s been taught and practiced in Thailand for over a thousand years.

What’s Swedish Massage?

The term “Swedish Massage” is actually only used in English and Dutch speaking countries as well as in Hungary. In the rest of the countries, it’s referred to as “Classic Massage”, and I think it’s a more fitting name because it really is the most standard approached type of massages.

Swedish massage is a combination of rhythmic strokes that are accompanied by pressure that ranges from light to vigorous.

This massage style was originally developed in Sweden’s Stockholm University through the dissection of cadavers.

What happens in a Thai Massage Session?

In a Thai massage session, you remain fully clothed in light, loose and comfortable clothing. If your clothing isn’t as comfortable, some Thai massage centers provide you with costumes that satisfy these mentioned requirements.

A Thai massage session doesn’t use any kind of essential oils or lotions. It’s just you, and the magical hands of the therapist.

Actually, the therapist not only uses their hands but their entire body in this massaging process. They use their knees, legs, and feet to move your body into a series of yoga postures and positions.

Thai massage can be done anywhere since you’re fully-clothed so there’s no need for the privacy of a room. The least is just spreading a padded floor mat and off you go!

A Thai massage therapist will push, press, rock, and even compress your body by their hands, feet, arms, shins.. etc.

Sometimes, your therapist can stand on you or sit in order to realign your body into proper yoga postures. So you get the idea, a Thai massage involves some insane body stretching.

A Thai massage session lasts for 60 – 90 minutes.

What Happens in a Swedish Massage Session?

You get stark naked. But some therapists let their clients keep their underwear, then you’ll lie on your stomach on a massage table.

Your therapist covers you with drapes and uncovers the part that they’d be working on. They’ll use essential oils and lotions to lessen the friction and ease their rhythmical movement of touching your skin.

Techniques used in Swedish Massage are as follows: Effleurage (gliding movements, usually in the direction of the heart), Petrissage (kneading movements), Tapotement (gentle drumming or pounding movements), Vibration and friction.

As it requires you to get dressed down to nothing, it’s usually done in private rooms.

A Swedish massage session usually lasts for 60 – 90 minutes.

Pros and Cons of Thai Massage

Be sure to read this thoroughly to see if Thai massage is the one that is fit for you:

Pros
• For all you shy folks who’d make a scene over this, you can keep your clothes on
• Thai massage isn’t an oiled massage; if you don’t like the weird sticky feel of essential oils and lotions
• It provides you with added flexibility due to the yoga postures you make
• It leaves you relaxed and energized rather than sleepy

Cons
• Thai massage requires a great range of motion so it wouldn’t be fitting for those who don’t have it
• Thai massage isn’t suitable for pregnant women as it may induce contractions
• Although these yoga postures associated with Thai massage are gratifying at the end, some of them may feel very uncomfortable

Pros and Cons of Swedish Massage

Have a look at this to help you decide if a Classic massage session is the one for you:

Pros
• No physical effort is required at all, you’re only lying down with the therapist doing all the work
• If you like the feeling of toasted essential oils being massaged on your skin and a private atmosphere, that’s the one for you
• You can indulge in a Swedish massage session under the supervision of your doctor if you’re pregnant

Cons
• Gets a bit messy due to oils and lotions which may put off some folks
• It may be a bit uncomfortable for some clients due to direct skin contact
• It also may be embarrassing for some clients to take off their clothes