Thailand Spa Paradise

Thai Massage for Health

By Chami Jotisalikorn

A well-trained masseuse will usually ask you whether the pressure is too hard or too soft and you're expected to give her some feedback to help guide her into giving you a proper massage. At the end of your Thai massage, the masseuse will stretch your back by swivelling your spine side to side until she hears a crack. If you find this uncomfortable or frightening, it's perfectly fine to tell her to stop, and ask for a more conventional neck rub instead.

After a Thai massage, it is normal to find your body aching in places that didn't ache before. That's because some people may suffer from repressed stress or tension that has made their muscles tense unconsciously. This muscle tension may be so subtle that it's unnoticeable by the sufferer, but these tensed up muscles are the cause of energy blockages in the body. These energy blockages are released during Thai massage, which causes the resulting discomfort. A few more massage sessions usually relieves this type of ache.

You'll find that traditional masseuses tend to be female, ranging in age from teens to grandmothers. You may find it surprising that even the most delicate-looking masseuse may pack amazing power in her two thumbs, though many massage connoisseurs say they prefer the more mature and heftier masseuses for a more thorough massage. Older masseuses also tend to be more experienced and are more skilled at identifying problem areas and kneading knotted muscles.

Traditional Thai massage is easily available anywhere in Thailand and usually have signs under the billing "Thai massage for health." They range from very reasonably priced, basic budget establishments to candle-scented luxury in pricier spa establishments.

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