Traditional Thai Therapies

To experience this union in action, I set foot on the bustling streets of Bangkok, eagerly in search of my first Thai massage. Traditional Thai massage is a unique method of aligning the energies of the body, originating from the time of the Buddha, over 2500 years ago. Like Traditional Thai Medicine in general, Thai massage is a combination of influences from Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian cultural spheres and traditions of medicine. Unlike the continuous strokes of Western massage, Thai massage uses point pressure (acupressure), muscle stretching, compression, and foot massage (reflexology) to create a dynamic experience that integrates the body, mind, emotions and spirit. It is also called ‘Thai yoga massage’, because the therapist uses their hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Yoga benefits…but someone else does the hard work for you!

I was warned that Thai massage involved some unexpected back crunching, cracking, and deep twisting. While I’m not one to shy away from a strong massage, my ‘sensible self’ from back home hadn’t chilled back yet and with a couple of weeks of free spirited travel ahead, I thought it best to ease into things with a Thai traditional foot massage. My post flight puffy feet were soothed and reflexology points stimulated.  It felt pleasant, and admittedly my legs felt like sloppy noodles attached to a coiled upper body, but I knew I had to go the full back cracking deal to truly say I had an authentic and sublime experience.

It’s a natural predicament when traveling to debate just how much you should embrace a country’s culture, customs and practices and really dive in, risk and all. I believe that to grow, learn and ‘get under the skin’ of a new destination, we have to embrace the traditions and experiences that come with it. No more stepping on the outside with this feet business. I made it my mission to try both ‘unqualified’ massages (in beachside huts, or simply flopping myself down on a flax mat amidst the chaos of night markets) and the high-end spa style where therapists are trained at schools rather than knowledge being handed down by elders.   I quickly realized that in order to reap the rewards, I had to let go and put my trust (and back) in the hands of complete strangers. No sooner was I searching for my next hit of local cuisine from steaming street stalls or cruising atop the roof of a jam packed tuk-tuk, I was aching for my next massage, street or spa style.

Peak Day Spa is a prestigious spa in Chiang Mai, where I was greeted by endearingly polite therapists, laced in silk and smiles, offering me a detoxifying tea to sip while they gently placed Thai slippers on my feet. I was about to be treated to the ultimate therapy experience – Thai massage combined with a traditional herbal compress application.

A typical Thai massage lasts for 1 -2 hours, and mine began with my therapist jumping onto the table and straddling her legs either side of mine as I lay on my back. She put the pressure of her whole body onto my calves with the palms of her hands and then up the full length of my body in a kneading like movement, much like the charming pawing a cat uses when it’s settling in for a cuddle. If the physical intimacy of a standard therapeutic massage is outside of your comfort zone, I best warn you that a therapeutic Thai massage brings you in close contact with your therapist…they often end up literally walking on your back!

The compress composed of lemongrass, ginger, orange peel, turmeric, salt, tamarind, and kaffir lime leaves wrapped in cloth and its earthy zest permeated the room. The warm combo was gently pressed over my entire body, with the herbs further enhancing the massage’s effects, namely, lowering stress, easing muscle and joint pain, increasing circulation, and detoxifying energy channels. I was a complete ragdoll by this stage and so when my therapist looped her arms under mine and pulled me onto her lap, my natural instinct to tense up in anticipation for the inevitable back twist and click had gone. With a gentle sway and then a fast twist, my back gave in and I felt a quick ricocheting click the full length of my spine. Wow.

I was both mentally and physically relaxed. Ahhh, yes, that much revered balance. My thoughts simply drifted to the tingling sensation in my toes. My senses alert only to the lingering aroma of lemongrass and ginger. The refreshing scent slowly brought me back down to earth, grounding me in the present. I began to wonder how I could possibly maneuver myself off the table, which felt as though it had swallowed me whole, wrapping me safely in soft silk.  My limbs felt unattached, lingering in the ether, like well-kneaded dough, with no shape or structure, but perfectly pummeled with the promise of turning into something great. I felt great. Amazing in fact and as my feet touched the cool floor, I was completely awake, warm energy pulsing through me like the flickering neon lights lost in the reality of the outside world.  I was humbled to have had so much energy expended on me, and bowed my head while placing my hands in prayer position to offer my respect and thanks to my therapist. My gratitude was met with an electric smile. Apparently, although physically demanding for such delicate women, the therapists find the treatment meditative for themselves also. I guess it’s a hands on testament to the theory ‘you get what you give’.

To me, the true measure of a sublime massage is the extent to which I switch off, slowing down the chatter of my mind and giving in to the experience…allowing myself to completely sink into the moment.  Thai massage, whether expensive or dirt cheap, definitely hits the spot. It is becoming increasingly popular in the West, so check your local directory for spas offering these services.

To engage in traditional natural therapies takes you to the very core of a nation, experiencing its people, its values and its practices. All of which allow you to unite the divide between ‘you and ‘them’ and in this case, connect ‘energy’ with ‘relaxation’. Bliss.

“Kob kun kaa” Thailand, and love to all of the beautiful healers that I met on my journey.

Live well, live long, live naturally

Renee x