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

You’ll 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 day’s 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 island’s 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 subject’s body. They may also use their elbows, knees and feet.

The original Thai massage included having the masseuse walk on the subject’s back, as well as pulling fingers, toes and even hair. Masseuses these days have pretty much scrapped such practices as being a bit scary.

You’ll still find, however, that sometimes the masseuse may be a little too energetic for your taste. There’s 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. Don’t 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 can’t 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.

There’s 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

Massage at the Naithonburi Resort

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 world’s 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 don’t pay enough attention to your body - then it’s 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 Phuket’s 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 you’d 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. You’ll 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.