Thai Massage
Long before I moved to Thailand I had heard of Thai Massage. However whenever the topic was raised in the UK it usually was accompanied by a few knowing looks and suggestions about some sort of erotic massage delivered by scantily clad Asian lady in some sleaze back street massage parlour somewhere in the world.
True, if you head down the wrong soi in Pattaya, you might well be offered an erotic Thai massage in some dimly lit massage parlour, including some extras, that you won't be offered in an establishment that actually delivers a true Thai traditional massage. Adverts are everywhere and include words like soapy massage or Thai oil massage and sexy Thai massage. I am sure you can work out for yourself what goes on behind the closed doors of such establishments.
But what about a true Thai massage, nuat phaen boran, in Thai, it translates to something like ancient massage? Well the technique employed is definitely not erotic since it is based on pressure and stretching. It doesn't involve soap or oil under normal circumstances and it certainly isn't delivered by some scantily clad Thai lady. No a true Thai massage is based on Ayurveda and Yoga. Imported from India many years ago, Thai massage, can be both therapeutic and relaxing.
Personally I do not like Thai massage, as I find my lack of suppleness brought on by years of neglect to my body, can make the process a little painful. Yes I know the one about no gain without pain, but I have a low pain threshold, well thats my excuse anyway! MTF on the other hand calls on the services of the local Thai massage lady about once a month and subjects herself to two hours of stretching and manipulation. She swears by it and cannot understand why I don't like the process.
So what about you, whether its Thai massage or massage in some other form. Do you have a regular massage? Do you think it is beneficial? What are your views on Thai massage and the bad press some establishments bring to it?
By the way you might want to check out a Thai foot massage too.
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13 comments:
When I first got here, I had a gal who would clean my house one day, then give me a three hour massage another. And she wasn't half bad but she started into a 'luv you' litany (yes, I know...)
Thai massage is supposed to be the lazy man's yoga and I can see why. When you get a good one, you do get a workout.
The problem is, there are more practitioners out there with so so skills or no skills at all. The true artists are rare.
I used to go two floors down once or twice a week to this guy who was amazing (I prefer men). When the spa closed down he disappeared.
And although I occasionally go to the massage house around the corner, it's like being handled by someone who isn't in touch with their touch.
What's the point of going through all that pain when they are applying it to the wrong places? Over and excruciatingly over?
Last year I gathered a list on blind masseurs, with the idea of trying them out one by one. If I find one I like, I'll make arrangements for them to come to me. Ah, the beauty of living in Thailand!
I'll eventually get around to doing a post about it, telling the rest of my 'luv you' story in the process.
Cat you must have been up early this morning or was it late last night? Your comment raises a few questions but I guess I will have to wait for the post to get the answers?
Incidentally I agree with you totally about lack of skill in some people and the dangers this can involve.
We have a couple of masseuses coming over this afternoon for a 2 hour+ session on the wife and me. We went to a local hospital to find someone with legitimate talent and then have them over on their day off.
Mike , we have a lady friend of Ciejay's who does massage (legit) massage and is certified, and a trainer, she is also on call for four resorts , for folks wanting a genuine Thai massage . She comes to my home every Monday morning at nine and does a one hour Thai massage to loosen me up, and a one hour oil massage to relax me , Ciejay and her chat and I enjoy.
The benifit for me as explained by my doctor is that the thai massage , and not a rough one , easy does it , no pain at all , keeps the blood circulating good and keeps my leg muscles toned and flexiable. and the oil massage is for the mental and emotional and just a great way to chill out I love it and look soooo foward to it every week .
Give it a try and tell them no over the head and twist and shout stuff . ha ha Malcolm
Firstly I must point out that your second paragraph should read, if you go down the wrong soi in Pattaya then you might be offered a traditional Thai massage.
Koh Chang five years ago.....Laid flat on my stomach on the beach (rare for me), suffering with severe back pain, I heard a Thai lady talking to Wilai, I didn't look up.
" Hus..band, lady want massage your back "
" No...I only like you do "
" You bad hus..band, some...time. Lady can walk your back. Same I do "
" Okay, how much "
" 300 baht "
I thought this price a little high and gingerly twisted my back and peered up to see the most overweight massage lady you could hope never to meet. I spent a good half hour with a mini mountain walking up and down my back. Absolute agony and never again. Gotta go this post is proving a little painful to me.
VF sounds a very sensible idea-did they pop over after the hash?
Malcolm when I last tried it it hurt my back. Problem was communication trying to explain I have arthritis in my lower back.
Martyn I did alter right to wrong, then I read your comment properly! You have a way with words when describing seemingly ordinary events.
Looks like AdSense for content took offence to the title today!
I did have one in Haadyai years back, thus looking at your picture before any reading told me "Yes, this is The Thai massage".
The experience was awful on the exeggerated bending that seemed to break my bones.
Talk about being rubbed up the wrong way, this is very different from a massage as we know it here in the west. I was offered a massage once in Sri Lanka, but declined as I knew was was on offer and I dind't feel like sex at the time! (Long story)
The only professional massage eI have had was here in Bulgaria, but I didn't enjoy it at all, it hurt and was performed by a Bulgarian weightlifter (seriously!)
I can see wy you don't want a Thai massage Mike, like you say, the amount of pain you will endure is the first thought you probably had! Just get YTF to massage your feet each evening, it works wonders with Gal and Me~!
Massage requires a modicum of body awareness and the exercise of control and responsibility. It is after all ones own body and the masseuse possesses no magical power. One need only know how to say no, gently, no twisting, no joint cracking and point out what needs particular attention and what needs to be avoided. Complete and total submission can lead to painful results.
I require a very powerful massage and enjoy it most after an exercise event that surpasses the norm. Leading to lactic acid buildup and the subsequent burn that develops over the next 24 to 48 hours. Spending too much time in front of the computer can lead to kinks that can be alleviated by massage or better yet a good long hike.
Try massage again but take a little more control.
VF I think you have hit it on the head regarding posture and particularly sitting in front of the computer.
I will try it again and try to communicate my wishes more effectively.
Being an ex-medium distance runner I am all to familiar with lactic acid build up. I say ex because my arthritis prevents that activity these days which is a pity since I really enjoyed that form of exercise.
I've heard about the limb manipulation of Thai massages, but have yet to experience on myself. Back in Malaysia, I used to go to a Chinese lady who practiced massage was passed down from her grandmother and possibly even earlier generations. For my first few sessions, she had to walk on me in order to get my muscles loosened up. She also does a lot of "scraping" to let the "heat" out. At the first few sessions, you look like you've been totally tortured and abused, but after a few sessions, your body gets used to it and you only bruise slightly. Still hurts like hell tho, LoL! But in a good way. LoL. I do think I'm a closet masochist :D
I've never had a Thai massage, unsurprisingly, but I have had a massage in the UK. I was quite dubious at first but I found it to be wonderful. Very relaxing afterwards, so it sounds completely different from the Thai version.
I love love love Thai massage, and if you think it's hard to find a talented masseuse in Bangkok try looking for one back in Ireland. Maybe I should import someone ha ha
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