Thai Massage adheres to very old traditional ideas about the connection between pain and stress in the body and the state of health. There are no oils or lotions used in Thai Massage, and it is performed on a mat on the floor.
The client wears loose and comfortable clothing that allows the therapist to perform deep stretching and other various techniques. There is no uniform method of performing Thai Massage, and clients can expect a variety of stylistic differences, depending on the therapist.
All of these treatments are used to
relieve pain and stress. Some injuries may cause contra-indications, and some techniques, such as deep pressure on the lower legs, are not used for pregnant women.
Normally, therapists will present their particular credentials in a conspicuous place in their office. Eugene, like many Asian Massage Therapists, takes particular pride in their lineage -- the tradition of passing down information directly from teacher to student. For many, this is more important than the certifications that they may also display.
It is not required for Asian Massage Therapy to be separately licensed in the United States; however, many therapists abide by their state laws concerning the licensing of Massage Therapy in general. These laws change from state to state, sometimes dramatically. It is always a good idea to use your best judgment when selecting an Asian Massage therapist to work with, as the training and competency requirements in this field are as diverse as the people who practice.