Everything you need to know about Thai massages
If you’ve ever found yourself face down on a massage table realising that yes, those are your masseuse's feet on your back, there’s a good chance you’ve experienced the wonders of a Thai massage.
Invigorating, active and an absolute dream on stiff muscles, Thai massage tends to be a full-body experience. You might get pushed, pulled, posed and moved around - this is not the kind of soothing, super-chill massage you fall asleep in.
If a massage that’s halfway to a yoga class sounds appealing, Thai massage is going to be right up your street. Those knots in your shoulders don’t stand a chance. It’s not quite a trip to Thailand, but it’ll do ✈️.
Intrigued? Same. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Thai massage.
What is a Thai massage?
For a start, it’s 2500 years old, so you could say it’s tried and tested. Thai massage has its roots in Buddhism and Ayurvedic principles, with an emphasis on stretching and acupressure as opposed to the rubbing of muscles seen in other forms of massage.
Exactly how your Thai massage goes will depend on your salon of choice. It might be a more vigorous version of a typical flat-on-a-table massage, or it might be very interactive, with your masseuse positioning your body, leaning on you, and generally getting involved.
Traditional Thai massage is performed without oil and with clothes on, but in the West, many practitioners offer a blended treatment which combines Thai principles with a relaxing oil massage. Whatever variation you end up with, it’s going to be a lot more active than most massages you may have had before, so prepare yourself.
Typically, the massage will start at the feet and follow the sen line energy system up to the head (1). So, you may want to wash your feet before you go. Love a bit of personal hygiene, especially when those hands are going to end up right by your face.
One more time: What's Thai massage all about?
- Relieves headaches and migraines
- Helps with anxiety and depression
- May reduce high blood pressure
- Can help with back pain
- May assist with lower back pain
- Could help with neck pain
- Can offer relief for sinus and allergy problems
- May help with weight loss
- May relieve pain from fibromyalgia
- Can reduce arthritis pain
What are the benefits of a Thai massage?
Stress relief is one of the big benefits, as well as improving mood, lessening anxiety, and providing an overall feeling of wellbeing (2). Considering the effect that excessive stress can have on your health, we’re calling this a big positive. One study in 2015 even found that Thai massage reduced levels of a stress marker found in saliva (3). That’s one to file under weird but interesting.
You can also expect to see improved mobility and reduced stiffness in troubled muscles. If you’ve got stiff joints, tight muscles, and are generally feeling a bit run down, a Thai massage could well see you right. Essentially the goal is to say goodbye to soreness and tension. See you never 🙅♀️.
All that stretching and pressure can also help improve circulation, the knock-on benefits of which are pretty all-encompassing. Basically, getting more blood flow (and thus oxygen) to your muscles is a huge win in terms of cell growth and even the health of your heart.
You can also expect an energy boost, which makes sense when you think about the rest of the benefits. Who wouldn’t have a little bit more pep in their step when they’re less stressed and more comfortable in their body? It’s good stuff, people.
What can I expect from a Thai massage?
Your masseuse will let you know what to do in terms of clothing, with some practises providing loose, comfortable outfits for clients. Others, especially those offering hybrid massages which include oil, will direct you to undress to your underwear and hop on the table under a towel. Speak up if you’re not sure - they’ll be happy to assist.
From there, the massage itself will begin, with your therapist using their hands, arms, elbows, knees and feet to apply pressure to points of tension. If you find yourself thinking, “Wait, is she kneeling on me?” the answer is probably yes. Go with it.
Your masseuse will also likely manipulate you into various yoga positions and stretch and rock you from there. For first-timers, it’s quite an experience, but you’ll get used to it, we promise.
Expect a combination of pressure, pulling and posing, and to step off the table feeling significantly more loosey-goosey. However, that feeling may take a minute to arrive - some people find they feel a bit sore in the hours after a Thai massage, but wake up the next day much more limber.
Make sure to rehydrate afterwards - you may well find yourself feeling particularly thirsty as your body adjusts post-massage.
What are the side effects of Thai massage?
While Thai massage will usually leave you feeling supremely zen, it can also have the odd side effect. Any muscles that are particularly tight may feel sore afterwards, and if your therapist really gets into it, bruises are possible. However, this isn’t likely.
Make sure to speak up if any part of your Thai massage feels like it’s a bit much. Communication is key here - if you have any lingering injuries, make them known and your therapist will be able to work around those little niggles.
Thai massage comparisons
Thai massage vs Swedish massage
Thai massage is more active and physical than Swedish massage, though their benefits in terms of mood and mobility are pretty comparable [2]. It depends what you’re after - for a soothing, relaxing experience, go Swedish, but for a more intense, dynamic massage, it’s all about Thai.
Thai massage vs deep tissue massage
With these two, you can expect a similar level of intensity. The differences come down to a question of style. Deep tissue massage tends to be quite targeted, whereas Thai massage is more of a full-body experience. They do both target similar concerns, so it’s about personal preference. If you want to be involved and active in your massage, go Thai. Deep tissue will be more passive on your end, with your masseuse doing all the hard yards.
Thai massage vs sports massage
Sports massage is two-pronged, aiming to prepare the body for an event and then to help it recover afterwards. Anyone who’s struggled to walk a day or two after hitting the gym will be familiar with delayed-onset muscle soreness - sports massage targets this inflammation. While Thai massage can definitely help with overall mobility and muscle pain, it’s more about general wellbeing and creating a sense of vitality.
What are some health benefits of Thai massage?
So while as a whole Thai massage is pretty blissful, there are also some serious health benefits to be had. Anything that reduces stress has got to be good, right?
Essentially it’s a one-two punch in terms of mental health and muscle soreness. You can expect to feel less stressed post-massage, and also for your body to feel a bit more limber and lithe. Many people also feel more energised, which is a nice bonus.
Here are those health benefits wrapped up in a list:
- Increased blood flow to areas of soreness
- Reduction in feelings of stress and anxiety
- Improved mobility in stiff muscles and joints
- Increased energy
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