Benefits of Thai Massage
Thai massage has been shown to have benefits such as reducing pain, improving quality of life through stress reduction, and increasing range of motion.
Pain Relief
Thai massage has been found to help reduce pain intensity in individuals with low back pain, trigger points, and chronic neck pain.1
Quality of Life and Stress Reduction
Traditional Thai massage can enhance overall quality of life and reduce stress levels in individuals experiencing chronic pain.2
Improved Range of Motion
Thai massage has been shown to improve head and neck movement compared to other treatments and interventions.3
Thai Massage Safety
While more research is needed, Thai massage appears to be generally safe. The few reported side effects include mild muscle aches and soreness after treatment.4
Fact Sheet
Thai Massage Benefits and Safety (PDF)
References
- Keeratitanont, M. P. Jensen, U. Chatchawan, and P. Auvichayapat, "The efficacy of traditional Thai massage for the treatment of chronic pain: A systematic review," Complementary therapies in clinical practice 21, no. 1 (2015): 26–32, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctp.2015.01.006; Netchanok et al., "Swedish Massage and Thai Massage," 227–234; P. Areeudomwong, R. Nakrit, T. Seephung, A. Ketsawad, and V. Buttagat, "A Randomized Comparative Study of Traditional Thai Massage and Thai Boxing Exercise on Clinical-Based Outcomes in Patients with Scapulocostal Syndrome," Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice48 (2022): 101604, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101604; J. Boonruab, P. Poonsuk, W. Damjuti, and W. Supamethangkura, "Myofascial Pain Syndrome Focused on the Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Comparative Randomized Controlled Trial of the Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus the Thai Hermit," Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine 26 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1177/2515690x211030852; V. Buttagat, K. Muenpan, W. Wiriyasakunphan, S. Pomsuwan, S. Kluayhomthong, and P. Areeudomwong, "A Comparative Study of Thai Massage and Muscle Energy Technique for Chronic Neck Pain: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial," Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 27 (2021): 647–653, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.05.007; V. Buttagat, W. Eungpinichpong, U. Chatchawan, and P. Arayawichanon, "Therapeutic Effects of Traditional Thai Massage on Pain, Muscle Tension and Anxiety in Patients with Scapulocostal Syndrome: A Randomized Single-Blinded Pilot Study," Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 16, no. 1 (2012): 57–63, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2011.04.005.
- Keeratitanont et al., "Efficacy of Thai Massage," 26–32; Netchanok et al., "Swedish and Thai Massage," 227–234; Areeudomwong et al. "Thai Boxing Exercise," 101604; Boonruab et al., "Thai Massage versus the Thai Hermit," 2515690X211030852; Buttagat et al., "Thai Massage and Muscle Energy," 647–653.
- Buttagat, S. Kluayhomthong, and P. Areeudomwong, "Effects of the Combination of Traditional Thai Massage, Scapular Stabilization Exercise, and Chest Mobilization in Subjects with Forward Head Posture: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial," Chiropractic & Manual Therapies31, no. 31 (2023), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-023-00506-z; Buttagat et al., "Thai Massage and Muscle Energy," 647–653.
- Netchanok, M. Wendy, C. Marie, and O. Siobhan, "The effectiveness of Swedish massage and traditional Thai massage in treating chronic low back pain: a review of the literature," Complementary therapies in clinical practice 18, no. 4 (2012): 227–234, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.07.001; N. Chiranthanut, N. Hanprasertpong, and S. Teekachunhatean, "Thai massage, and Thai herbal compress versus oral ibuprofen in symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial," BioMed research international (September 2014), https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/490512.
