
First Time Thai massage in Phuket
by
Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen
|
Its not something youll see everyday in Birmingham
or Oslo or Bonn: you walk past a small shop on a main street
and there, inside, is a row of comfortable La-Z-Boy-type chairs
with footstools, each occupied by a tourist with trousers
rolled up to the knee.
At their feet kneel Thai women, kneading those overworked
extremities.
|
|
 |
|
A little further along is a similar place but here the tourists
are lying flat out on comfortable mats, being gently kneaded, pulled
and stretched into pretzel shapes, again by local women. All the
tourists, their eyes shut, seem to be in a state close to ecstasy.
What on earth is going on? Phuket.Com explains.
Foot massage
 |
| Foot Massage |
|
Youll find foot massage available all over Phuket - in specialist
shops, by the beach, in hairdressing salons, even in shopping malls.
Just look for a row of comfortable chairs with stools and a sign
in the shape of a brightly coloured foot.
Foot massage, or reflexology, was originally practiced by the Chinese,
many of whom believe that every part of the body corresponds to
a precise spot on the sole of the foot, and that massaging that
spot will benefit the corresponding organ.
There are a number of theories as to how reflexology works, from
stimulating the nervous system to unblocking the life force known
as Qi, to releasing endorphins or promoting lymphatic flow. No one
knows for sure - but after a long days shopping or a stiff
march along the beach, who cares? What is a fact is that there are
few things more restorative than a good foot massage.
What to expect
 |
| Soaking your feet
in warm water |
|
To start, your feet will be cleaned by soaking them in warm water.
Some reflexologists add herbs to the water, partly because they
smell nice but also because of their therapeutic properties. The
masseuse will then moisturize your feet with lotion or essential
oils, wrap one foot up in a towel and go to work on the other.
The masseuse uses fingertips and knuckles to massage the foot. If
you feel pain at any point, the theory is that this may indicate
a problem with the organ connected to that part of the foot.
Even without any health issues, a foot massage session is a great
way to lower stress and elevate your mood. In some case, it may
also help you to sleep better.
Ladies, please note that the therapist will usually ask if you
are currently having your period. If you are - sorry - most therapists
will gently decline to give you a foot massage.
|
Thai traditional massage
 |
| Thai
massage |
|
In almost every corner of the islands tourist areas there
are massage shops, big and small. Patong beach alone must have had
close to 100 of them. Even in the busiest of surroundings, the massage
shop is a haven of peace and quiet - air-conditioned, with soft
music and beautiful aromas.
The masseuses (most massage is Thailand is done by women) use their
hands and forearms to apply firm pressure to the subjects
body. They may also use their elbows, knees and feet.
The original Thai massage included having the masseuse walk on
the subjects back, as well as pulling fingers, toes and even
hair. Masseuses these days have pretty much scrapped such practices
as being a bit scary.
Youll still find, however, that sometimes the masseuse may
be a little too energetic for your taste. Theres no requirement
to be masochistic about this; just ask her to be a more gentle.
A good Thai massage results in lowered stress levels, relief of
tension and stiffness in muscles and joints, and improvements in
energy levels and blood circulation. In short, it makes you feel
really, really good.
What to expect
 |
| A masseuse
at work |
|
There is no use of oil in traditional Thai massage, so you remain
fully dressed, although you will most likely be asked to change
into looser, more relaxing clothing, which is loaned to you at no
extra cost.
If the establishment allows you to choose a masseuse yourself,
forget the young, slim ones. Go for a girl with experience and bulk.
The Big Momma type generally gives the best Thai massage. Dont
forget to tell her that this is your first Thai massage and ask
her to be gentle, please!
You should also let her know if you have any health problems such
as a bad back or painful knees.
Once dressed appropriately, you will be invited to lie down on
a massage mat or bed and the massage will begin, starting with your
feet and working towards your head.
While undergoing a massage, try to relax as much as possible. Work
with your masseuse by synchronizing your breathing with the rhythm
of the massage. For example, when she stretches a part of you, inhale
as she does so, then exhale as she relaxes the tension.
|
Massage on the beach
 |
| Massage on the beach
|
|
Weary after a morning of gentle swimming and sunbathing followed
by a long lunch and cant be bothered to drag yourself off
to find a massage shop? Phuket people know all about this problem
and have come up with the perfect solution: the beach massage.
The masseuses, who usually appear on the beach in November and
stay until the end of April, generally look like your favourite
cuddly auntie, sitting in the shade with mats and pillows, ready
to give you a reviving traditional Thai massage.
Theres more. Especially on Patong Beach, you can also get
a pedicure, including removing old, dead skin, or - for the girls
- a manicure and nail painting. Or how about braids in your hair?
And the ultimate in making you feel young - specialists who will
gently pluck out all your white or grey hairs.
Spend your holiday in Phuket and you could go back with a great
tan, clean and healthy feet, freshly painted fingernails, an exotic
new hair style and - most important - no gray hair. This is a real
bargain.
|
Spas
If you would rather have your first traditional Thai massage in
beautiful private surroundings far from the crowds, Phuket has this
covered too. The island is one of worlds premier centres for
top-quality spas
staffed by highly trained and qualified masseuses.
If you have just got off a long-distance flight or completed a
marathon bout of shopping, or your work requires you to stand for
long periods, or your shoes are not a good fit, or you simply dont
pay enough attention to your body - then its time to give
yourself, a treat. Few people can resist the chance to spoil themselves
rotten by getting the full luxury treatment at one of Phukets
top spas.
|
Massage in pregnant woman
 |
| Pregnant woman massage
|
|
For most pregnant women a nice back rub is great. A good massage
is sheer heaven. Carrying all that extra weight around can result
in stiffness, aches and pains, leg cramps and headaches. Many pregnant
women find that, after a massage, they sleep better, have less pain
in both the neck and the back, and generally lower levels of stress
and discomfort.
Naturally, the masseuse must be carefully chosen for her knowledge,
care and gentleness - a full-on deep-pressure massage during pregnancy
is decidedly not a good thing. Indeed, massage of any kind is not
recommended during the first three months of pregnancy.
To get a good therapist, check with any of the big, reputable spas
around the island. Most of them have good experience of massage
during pregnancy. Such places include the Villa
Royale Spa in Kata, Le Spa at Le
Meridien Phuket Beach Resort near Patong, and the Cheraim
Spa Village (opposite Central Festival Phuket).
|
The non-traditional massage (aka naughty massage)
 |
| Red light massage
|
|
Many tourists never try therapeutic massage because they are worried
about ending up in a place that offers massaging of parts that traditional
masseuses never reach. As a guide, if the place has any of the following,
then walk on by.
- A dark interior, perhaps with dark-tinted windows.
- Young, slim masseuses, sexily dressed and carefully made up. A
professional masseuse will always wear a proper uniform and little
or no make-up.
- A marketing girl in front trying to persuade you to
come on in. Most will ask you straight out if youd like a
special massage.
|
So where do I go? And how much does it cost?
Most traditional Thai massage places are simple affairs without
much attention paid to fancy décor. Youll find them
in shop-houses near the beaches or in many of the three-star hotels
in Phuket City. A typical massage session lasts about two hours
and costs 300-500 baht. A foot massage session is about 40-50 minutes
and costs 400-500 baht.
A massage at any of the five-star hotels is naturally more expensive
- the price can be triple, or more. On the beach, the fee for a
massage and foot massage is 300 baht an hour.
Tips
Masseuses look forward to tips if they do a good job. Often, those
who work outside the big spas or five-star hotels get no salary.
Instead, they share the massage fee 50-50 with the owner of the
massage place. In the case of the beach masseuses, they pay rent
for their space on the sand.
So if the fee is 300 baht per session, the masseuse gets 150 baht
- about €3.40 - for two hours work. Any tip therefore
makes a big difference. A reasonable tip for a good relaxing massage
can be anywhere between 50 and 100 baht.
|
| |
| by
Rungtip Hongjakpet Izmen |
|
|
 |
|
|