What is the Secret Behind Thai Massage?

If you’re like me, you might have grown up with the habit of simply waiting for bodyaches to go away. As a teenager, I used to get ankle sprains and messed up shoulders from playing tennis, and for the most part, letting it rest anywhere from a few days to a few weeks usually solved the problem.

The thing is, now that the ol’ engine is getting creakier, I have to be more careful extending myself outdoors. Body injuries are taking longer to heal, and if I so much as fall asleep the wrong way I can end up with sharp back pains that stick like glue for weeks.

Up until my early twenties, I never got massages simply because no one in my family or close group of friends ever got massages. The concept was nonexistent when I was a kid, teenager, and college student because I had no prior exposure, and on the rare occasion that the idea came it, it seemed to be cost prohibitive. Couldn’t I buy a fancy meal, ski tickets, museum passes, or all sorts of outings for that kind of price? Massages were in the same class as chartered flights and cruises, as far as I was concerned. By the time I got my first job, the habit had set. My impression of massage up to that point was that of a delicate, luxury treat for women to be combined with things like facials and pedicures. Man, was I in for a world of surprise.

During college, two friends and I planned (over the course of one year!) an ambitious, fast-paced trip through Southeast Asia. None of us had ever been, and we were excited out of our minds just reading about the possibilities. Exotic elephant rides, pristine beaches, motorbike adventures, jungle tours, and delicious food awaited us…right?

As it turned out, yes! Our expectations were met and exceeded…minus an elephant here and there. As it turns out, it is not particularly ethical to ride elephants since the practice encourages their exploitation for financial gain. So, we opted out. Everything else was phenomenal, however. Burma was like a voyage back in time, with gorgeous colonial architecture, a traditional pace of life, amazing handmade goods, beautiful temples, and a society untouched by the outside world. Cambodia opened our eyes to the massive Hindu, then Buddhist complex that is Angkor Wat, some of the friendliest people in the world, and the optimistic renewal of a country so recently devastated by genocide. Singapore threw us 20 years into the future, with a hyperefficient MRT system, a complex network of interconnected malls, and a unique cultural fusion of Malay, Chinese, and British influences. Thailand (we have to save the best for last!) showed us the true meaning of spiciness, with elaborate street markets at every corner and hour of the day, gorgeous natural scenery in the south and far north (Chiang Rai), immensurable hospitality, and last but not least, the treasure that is traditional Thai massage!

We first experienced Thai massage deep in the interior of the island of Phuket in southern Thailand. It was after a long day of hiking when we had stumbled upon the ubiquitous, nondescript shop. The advertised price was 300 baht (roughly 10 USD) for a one hour Thai massage. We were expecting just a mild, relaxing cooldown after our long hike – but instead, received one of the most back-bending, physiologically-invigorating jawdroppers of our lifetimes. Our masseuses were at most half our size, but they twisted, bent, and stretched us in ways we didn’t think possible. They also applied pressure using their feet, knuckles, and elbows using special techniques that got all the way into the toughest of muscles. I could feel all the knots built up over 20-some odd years being unwound. I was like a newborn baby, loose and as carefree as can be after the massage. It was a healing experience both physically and emotionally.

Since our trip, I’ve become much more open to the idea of massage as both emotional and physical therapy. I’ve found that with the right therapist, a one hour – or preferably one and half hour – session can do wonders for the mind and body. The benefits extend to all facets my life – I’m more relaxed at work and happier at home. I sleep better and recover faster from muscle injuries.

I now take every opportunity possible to indulge in Thai massage. Surprisingly, it hasn’t been too hard to find excellent service providers even outside of Thailand. I travel regularly for business, and would recommend the following places that I’ve found around the world:

Chiang Rai – Natural Thai Spa and Café

Chiang Rai is a quaint town in Northern Thailand a couple hours northeast of Thailand – best known for being close to the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Burma, and Laos intersect. I find it criminally underrated and far superior to Chiang Mai for natural beauty and way of life. If you ever make your way over, definitely make a visit to Natural Thai Spa. They have their own dedicated complex with a colonial style interior and lots of indulgences – like a jacuzzi, body scrub, and even wine and food. You can ask to arrange for pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.

Phuket Town – Nara Massage & Spa

Although Thai hospitality is near-uniformly excellent, Nara was a pleasant surprise for me as most of the staff spoke excellent English, and the setup as a whole was like a western massage experience. The place is gorgeous and immaculate. Because I was able to communicate with my masseuse, I was able to receive a better customized experience than I could normally get in Thailand. Phuket Town is also a must-visit. It’s way less busy and more authentic than Patong, with significantly cheaper and better food options.

Tokyo – Erawan

Erawan is a Thai massage chain in Tokyo. Of all the places, right?! I had a chance to speak with one of the masseuses and discovered why the massages were so good here: the ladies travel back and forth between Japan and Thailand on a monthly basis, so most of them were trained throughout Thailand, bringing with them their individual techniques which they then shared with each other at Erawan. Most of their staff can speak English (and Japanese, which I don’t) and have wonderfully warm Thai-plus-Japanese mannerisms.

San Francisco Bay Area – Arisa Thai Massage

Arisa was opened by my friend’s wife, and from my semi-objective standpoint, she is absolutely incredible at combining Thai and western massage. California has a bustling Thai community and as such, has plentiful choices for Thai massage. None of them are able to provide as magical of a deep tissue massage as Sara, however. I asked her what her secret was, and she told me, humbly, it was just exposure to good teachers. Her mother was the village chief and massage guru for her community growing up, and she had since trained throughout Thailand and the US. As a result, she’s been able to combine the best techniques from the best practitioners and create her own style.

No matter where you end up trying your first Thai massage, just remember to keep an open mind and get ready for more stretching than you might expect for a massage. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be back again for round two, three, four, soon enough.