Thai massage questions
Thai massage, listed by UNESCO in 2019, explained: pressure, soreness afterwards, what to wear, how often people book, pregnancy and older clients.
These are the questions people ask before a first Thai massage, a practice UNESCO listed as intangible cultural heritage in 2019. The answers are general information. The therapist can explain their own approach, and your GP can advise on your health.
How firm is the pressure?
Thai massage has a reputation for firm pressure, and a traditional session can feel strong, especially through the legs, hips and back. The therapist leans body weight through the palms, thumbs, forearms and sometimes knees or feet, so the pressure is broad rather than sharp.
You control the pressure. Before the session, say whether you like light, medium or firm pressure. During the session, speak up if anything hurts, if a stretch goes too far, or if you would like more pressure in one area. A good therapist expects this and adjusts. Pain is not a sign that a massage is working, and you do not need to put up with it.
If you would prefer a softer session, the Thai oil massage and head and shoulder massage are usually gentler than the traditional style.
Will I be sore afterwards?
Some people feel a mild tenderness in worked muscles for a day or so, much like the feeling after unfamiliar exercise. Others feel nothing. It is more likely after firm pressure, after a first session, or if you asked for a lot of work on one tight area.
Drink water, move around gently, and avoid a hard gym session straight after. If you feel sharp pain, pain that gets worse, bruising, numbness or tingling, or anything that worries you, contact your GP. Tell the therapist next time so they can change the pressure.
What should I wear?
For a traditional Thai massage you stay fully clothed. Wear loose, stretchy clothes such as a T shirt and track pants, because the therapist moves your arms and legs through stretches. Some therapists provide loose cotton clothing to change into.
For an oil or herbal compress massage you usually undress to your level of comfort and lie under a towel or sheet, with only the area being worked on uncovered. Wear clothes you do not mind marking on the way home, as oil and turmeric can stain. In every style, remove jewellery and avoid a large meal just beforehand.
Can I have a Thai massage while pregnant?
Tell the therapist you are pregnant when you enquire, and check with your doctor or midwife first. Many therapists will not offer traditional Thai massage during pregnancy because of the deep pressure and stretching, or will only offer a modified session. Pregnancy massage is a specialised area and some therapists hold additional training in it. Positions matter: after the first trimester, lying flat on the stomach is generally avoided, and the belly should not be firmly massaged. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises telling your therapist you are pregnant and choosing one trained in pregnancy massage. If a therapist does not offer pregnancy massage, they should tell you so.
What does “traditional” mean?
Traditional Thai massage, called Nuad Thai in Thailand, is a manual practice with a long history in Thai traditional medicine and culture. It is taught through a set sequence of pressure and assisted stretches, and in the tradition the pressure follows energy lines called sen. In December 2019 UNESCO inscribed “Nuad Thai, traditional Thai massage” on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. That listing recognises the practice as cultural heritage. It is not a medical endorsement.
When a therapist in Narre Warren describes a massage as traditional, they usually mean a clothed, oil free session on a mat with the full stretch sequence. Oil, head and shoulder and herbal compress sessions draw on the same techniques.
What health details should I give?
Tell the therapist before the session if any of these apply:
- pregnancy
- a recent injury or operation
- a blood clotting disorder or blood thinning medicine
- a heart condition or high blood pressure
- varicose veins
- osteoporosis or a joint replacement
- diabetes or reduced feeling in the skin
- a skin condition, rash or broken skin
- a fever or infection
- any other regular medication
- allergies, if you are booking oil or a herbal compress When you are not sure whether massage is a good idea, see your GP first. The therapist may adjust the session or suggest another style.
Ready to enquire?
Use the enquiry form to describe the style, length and times you want. An independent local therapist confirms the details, including the price, before anything is booked. For how the service works, see about this service.
Frequently asked questions
- How often do people book a Thai massage?
There is no set rule. Some people book one massage before a holiday or after a busy period. Others book every few weeks as part of a routine, or more often while they are working through a particular patch of tightness. How often you book depends on your budget, your time and how you feel after each session. A therapist should never pressure you into a package or a series of bookings. If you are booking frequently because of ongoing pain, see your GP or a physiotherapist to find out the cause.
- Is Thai massage suitable for older clients?
Many older people enjoy Thai massage, but the stretches and pressure need adjusting. Tell the therapist about osteoporosis, joint replacements, arthritis, balance problems, blood thinners or other medication, heart conditions and anything that makes getting down to or up from a floor mat hard. The therapist may suggest a table rather than a mat, lighter pressure, fewer stretches, or a shorter head and shoulder session. If you are unsure, ask your GP first. A family member is welcome to help with the enquiry.
- Can I claim a health fund rebate for Thai massage?
A rebate depends on three things: the qualification the therapist holds, whether they belong to a professional association your fund recognises, and the extras cover on your policy. Ask the therapist for their provider details, then check with your fund before the appointment. We cannot promise a rebate.
- How long is a Thai massage session?
Full body sessions are often an hour, 90 minutes or two hours, and a head and shoulder session is often around half an hour. Each therapist sets their own lengths, so ask what they offer. Allow extra time for arriving, changing and a short health check before the massage starts.
- Should I eat or shower before a massage?
A light meal a couple of hours before is fine; a large meal just beforehand can make lying face down uncomfortable. A shower beforehand is a courtesy to the therapist, particularly for an oil session. Arrive a few minutes early so you are not rushed.