Your lymph system is a network of vessels and nodes that transports lymphatic fluid (called lymph) around the body. The system has a range of functions including transport of: fats from the digestive system, white blood cells that help fight infections, and waste and toxins from cells. It is a little bit like your cardiovascular system but unlike the cardiovascular system lymph is not pumped; there is no heart for the lymphatic system. Keeping the lymphatic system functioning effectively is essential to maintain overall health

Massage has long been a popular way of helping the flow of lymph around the network. This can be everything from amateur “at home” massage techniques, through to specialist medical lymphatic massage. At Thai Kosai we do not provide specialist lymphatic drainage massage, but any kind of massage strokes along the direction of lymph flow can help alleviate symptoms of problems with the lymphatic system

Lymphoedema is a diagnosed condition that results from a malfunctioning lymphatic system. The usual symptoms include swelling in the arms or legs, and an aching heavy feeling
More generally though, if your daily routine involves being sedentary for long periods, or does not include plenty of exercise or movement, then it is possible for lymph fluid to pool in certain areas causing swelling or discomfort

So, what is the benefit? Massage is often prescribed to treat lymphoedema and this can be anything from monthly to weekly. As for trying to treat symptoms, we often see massage being effective in helping with swelling and fluid retention, especially in arms and legs. Other popular claims by lymphatic massage specialists include improvements to metabolic rate, improvements to blood circulation, cleaner skin pores, accelerated scar healing and reduction of cellulite, although we have not seen evidence to back up these claims!

Only gentle massage pressure is required – it does not require deep tissue techniques. If you are having a massage to help with swelling/aching symptoms you should also make sure to drink plenty of water after your massage. If you do come to visit Thai Kosai for a massage to help with any of these symptoms, make sure to discuss the problem areas with your therapist

Please note, both our branches will be closed from Thursday 22nd December through Sunday 1st January. We will be open again as usual from Monday 2nd January

We wish all our lovely customers a very happy Christmas and New Year, and we look forward to seeing you all again in 2023

From your friends at Thai Kosai 🙏

Wishing all our customers, family, friends and colleagues a very happy Songkran (Thai new year) and Easter!

Both our shops (in Holborn and Spitalfields) will be closed for four days over Easter, from Friday 15th April to Monday 18th April. We'll be open again as usual from Tuesday 19th April.

Hope you all have some time off too, and we will see you for a massage soon!

We have written before about some research carried out in Los Angeles sponsored by NIH which measured changes in hormone levels before and after a massage. The study observed measurable decreases in cortisol – the stress hormone – as well as increases in lymphocytes, the white blood cells that form a key part of the immune system.

But the benefits don’t stop at decreased stress and improved immune strength; massage has also been shown to increase levels of other hormones and chemicals which improve wellbeing, such as endorphins, serotonin and dopamine.

Endorphins are the most well known of these “positive hormones”. When endorphins bind to receptor neurons they reduce the intensity of any pain sensations, as well as promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. While there is no comprehensive body of research that proves the release of endorphins is caused by massage (as opposed to, for example, the simple act of lying still), it is a theory widely advanced by massage therapists.

There is a larger body of evidence that massage increases levels of serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine is the classic “reward system” feel-good hormone, and is associated with all pleasurable sensations. Serotonin helps regulate our mood as well as sleep, appetite, digestion, learning ability, and memory. Quantifying the increase has been the subject of a range of research, and increases of circa 30% have been measured.

What we do know for certain – from mountains of anecdotal evidence and practical experience – is that regardless of the changes in blood chemistry, massage does enhance feelings of wellbeing. So if you want to enjoy the natural dopamine high that follows a good massage, why not book yourself in at our brand new massage spa in Holborn.

With the London marathon still a few months away (for the last year before it reverts to its normal spring timing), it’s time to dust off our marathon advice!

It’s all too easy to leave your massage therapy to the last minute. In the same way you wouldn’t shock your body by wearing brand new trainers for the run, you shouldn’t leave your massage routine until it’s too late. We’ve had customers who never get regular massages come in just a couple of days before an endurance event, with a long list of niggles! In these cases, the best option is normally just a general treatment, leaving a longer therapeutic course until after the event. In the immediate run-up to an event like a marathon the advice is typically for ‘active rest’, so this would be the best time for more relaxing massage and not a therapeutic deep tissue massage. After all, your body shouldn’t be in ‘repair’ mode in the days before the event

But with a bit more preparation time in hand, it’s worth planning a massage course into your training schedule. People often underestimate the benefits of including a regular massage in a training schedule. You can gauge your response to regular massage to assess your training progress, and how hard you’ve pushed yourself. As you start building up your distance, this can often cause a build up of small stresses being placed on certain joints and muscles, which can foreshadow an injury. A regular massage can keep tabs on these, and perhaps help you spot a problem before it becomes one. One piece of advice any trainer will give is not to skip rest days – so why not include a massage on those days to help foster muscle recovery!

Our massage shop in Holborn is within walking (limping?) distance from the finish line. Directly after the marathon you may well find some massage therapists working nearby. The post-marathon massage is often little more than a ‘rub down’, with long flushing strokes along the legs, and some calf and thigh stretching to ease any cramps (although the best treatment for cramps is usually fluid, ice, and stretching, rarely direct pressure massage)

Good luck if you are running it, and we hope to see you during your training programme.