Thai massage benefits, techniques, what to expect (2023)

FAQs

What to expect when you get a Thai massage? ›

Unlike a Swedish massage, oil isn't used and your muscles typically aren't kneaded. Instead, the practitioner will use their hands, thumbs, elbows, and knees to stretch, pull, and rock different parts of your body. They may even sit on you to stretch you into certain positions.

You will remain fully clothed for a Thai massage, so you should wear clothing that is comfortable and can stretch easily.

It's normal to feel sore after a massage. After stimulating muscles that you may not usually use, you might experience delayed onset muscle soreness. This is a physical response to the inflammation as your body heals. This can happen if your muscles aren't accustomed to massage.

Take a warm shower

First, the warm water will begin allowing your mind and body to relax making it more open to receiving massage. By cleaning your body prior to a massage, you can also mitigate some personal hygiene insecurities, if you have any, plus it is greatly appreciated by your massage therapist.

For a full-body massage, you can opt to keep your pants on or go completely in the buff. You'll find that most massage therapists are very skilled at protecting your modesty and making you feel comfortable; you'll never have to uncover anything you'd rather not.

However, as a customer, you should know how much to give to make them feel happy, most Thai Massagers feel happy if you give them around 15% of the massage price per hour.

Thai Massage Quick Facts

Duration: In Thailand a treatment can often last up to 2 hours however in Western countries typically a Thai Massage will last between 30 and 90 minutes. Body Parts treated: Back, gluteal muscles, legs (front and back), arms, head, and shoulders.

If you're looking to relieve tension, chronic pain, or sports injuries, a deep tissue massage might be a better fit; meanwhile, Thai massages are great for improved movement, energy boosts, and circulation.

Taking a shower or bath at this time can potentially lead to skin damage or inflammation. So the answers here are to avoid showering and bathing for a few hours both before AND after a massage, cupping, or spa-type session.

We would recommend having a Thai Massage two or three times a month so that your body can get the maximum benefit from the massage treatment.

Do you need to undress for Thai massage? ›

The massage therapist does not perform a Thai massage using oil, as unlike many other massage traditions it's not based on skin to skin contact. Rather than strip down, massage patients remain fully clothed during a Thai massage.

People with certain health conditions, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, those who are pregnant, and those who have just undergone surgery should not get a Thai massage, as the technique could pose health risks.

Massage stimulates receptors that transmit sensory signals to the central nervous system, and this in turn causes the reduction in tension in muscles and the feeling of relaxation. Massage causes the release of endorphins which has been shown to reduce pain and muscle tension.

Massage therapists are trained to feel where knots occur by looking for tension in the back, neck and shoulders. They find this tension and release it by applying deep compression with their thumb, fingers or elbow, and holding for 20-30 seconds.

There are risks of plaque buildup in your blood arteries and this plaque might break when the therapist exerts pressure on your body while massaging. Blood clots will be released and can travel through the circulatory system to your brain, heart, lungs and other sensitive organs and damage them.

You may feel tired, as if you want to lie down and take a nap,this is completely normal. If you can, make sure you have nowhere to go and nothing to do after your massage. Massage is not just work on the body; it is work on the mind too. It helps to destress and relax you; this in turn may make you feel tired.

Thai Massage has a lot of movement and stretching. Thus, it requires a loose comfortable clothing. Leave the leather pants and pencil skirts at home! The best practice is to wear a t-shirt and yoga pants, sweatpants, or shorts.

Since tips are standard protocol for massage therapists, you should assume a 20 percent tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive). Not sure? When in doubt, always ask, says Post, who says tipping is always appreciated.

We spoke to two etiquette experts, who suggested leaving a 15% to 20% tip, if you're able. Twenty percent is generous for the massage therapist and easy on the brain, which may be feeling more relaxed than ever after a massage. The math is straightforward.

What not to do before a massage? ›

Is it okay to talk during a massage? Yes it is, as the client you can choose to converse with your therapist whenever you want. If you want to talk, feel chatty or just want to be heard it can be an important part of the letting go process.

A 20 Baht tip for the bell-boy or porter who carries your bags to your room is fairly standard. I also think it's nice to leave a small tip for the room maid at the end of your stay. Hotel workers may only make 200 Baht a day or less and although they won't always expect a tip it will be appreciated.

Standard tip rate

The general guideline on tipping for a massage is around 25 percent of the total cost. It's a standard that's pretty similar to tipping at a restaurant. At a minimum, you should tip around 20 percent.

In general, the 20% rule applies to tipping your massage therapist. So, if you're wondering how much to tip for a $100 massage, you'd want to tip $20. If you're considering how much to tip for a 60-minute massage (that costs $100) – you'd still tip $20. However, generosity is generally very appreciated.

Benefits: Thai massage is more dynamic and focuses on enhancing the energy flow. It has a bit more of a healing affect than Swedish massage, which is more focused on relaxation, mainly using long strokes and rubbing techniques to relieve stress and pain.

Both styles can lower the resting heart rate, relax muscles and relieve back pain. The inclusion of stretching in Thai massages may increase the range of motion more than Swedish massage. Both styles are beneficial to health and are known to reduce anxiety as well as to improve moods.

Myth 2: As long as I feel fine, there's no need to drink water after a massage. Truth: Drinking water after a massage is important and reduces soreness. One way to boost your odds for not being sore the next day is increase your water intake after your appointment.

Inflammation and discomfort usually last a few hours to about a day and a half. The same things you do to treat sore muscles after exercise may help soreness after a massage. Massage does not have to hurt to be effective. Many massage therapists are trained in multiple techniques that range in pressure and timing.

Ideally, post-massage soreness should subside within a day. This is all a normal part of allowing your body to recover and enjoy the wellness that comes with massage therapy. The more regular you are, the less frequently you will experience pain post your massage sessions or maybe even never again!

What are the disadvantages of Thai massage? ›

There are a few potential risks of Thai massage, just like any form of massage. It may cause changes in your heart rate. This could be harmful if you have a heart condition. There is also a small risk of injury to muscles or bones from a rough massage.

What happens if you don't drink water after a massage? The simple answer is you might experience pain, fatigue, and what is commonly called the DOMS, or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, after your massage.

A deep tissue massage usually leaves the muscles feeling sore, as if clients have done intense exercise, and when there is muscle soreness, the immune system naturally activates T-Cells to try to repair those muscles. As such, this immune system response can make some clients feel as if they are ill.

Recent studies have shown that massage stimulates activity in the left side of the brain, which is the side that is most active when a person is pleased, happy, or excited. The right side of the brain, in contrast, is often activated when an individual is sad, stressed, or depressed.

First and foremost, you should wear loose, comfortable clothes that doesn't restrict any movements, like you would for an active athletic activity. If you have them, flexible garments, like stretchy yoga attire, work really well.

Rather than just using hands, fists, forearms and elbows — the standard tools of the Swedish masseuse — the at large Thai masseuse may use legs and feet during the massage. Oftentimes, they will use a combination of both to gain leverage as they initiate deep stretches of the client's arms, legs, hips, and shoulders.

How much should you tip for a $50 massage? The standard tipping rate for a massage is 20%. So, for a $50 massage, you can tip $10. You can increase or lower your tip depending on how satisfied you are with their services.

However, as a customer, you should know how much to give to make them feel happy, most Thai Massagers feel happy if you give them around 15% of the massage price per hour.

Since tips are standard protocol for massage therapists, you should assume a 20 percent tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive). Not sure? When in doubt, always ask, says Post, who says tipping is always appreciated.

Which is better deep tissue or Thai massage? ›

If you're looking to relieve tension, chronic pain, or sports injuries, a deep tissue massage might be a better fit; meanwhile, Thai massages are great for improved movement, energy boosts, and circulation.

We would recommend having a Thai Massage two or three times a month so that your body can get the maximum benefit from the massage treatment.

Thai massage combines compression, acupressure, and passive stretching. These increase the range of motion in your joints and muscles. This can also improve your posture. Helps with back pain.

After a Thai massage, a person may feel very relaxed. However, they need to keep in mind that their muscles have been worked, stretched, and prodded. After a Thai massage, a person should rest and drink plenty of water. There are no guidelines for how often a person should get a Thai massage.