Wellness Guide4 min read
What to Expect From a Traditional Thai Massage
New to Thai massage? Here's what actually happens during a session, from the clothing you'll wear to the stretches you'll go through.
Ton Mai Spa Team
Editorial
If you've only ever had an oil massage, traditional Thai massage — Nuad Thai — can feel like a different experience entirely. There's no oil, you stay clothed throughout, and instead of long gliding strokes, a therapist guides your body through a series of stretches and pressure points.
Before you start
You'll usually be given loose, comfortable clothing to change into. There's no need to undress, and the session typically takes place on a padded mat rather than a raised table, which gives the therapist room to move your limbs through a full range of motion.
During the massage
A Thai massage follows the body's sen — energy lines that run the length of the body, similar in concept to acupressure meridians. Your therapist will apply pressure with their hands, palms, thumbs and sometimes elbows or feet, working along these lines and easing you into assisted stretches that would be hard to do alone.
It's normal for pressure to feel firm at points — say so if it's too much, or too little. A good therapist will adjust throughout.
Afterwards
Because there's no oil, there's nothing to rinse off — you can go straight from your massage to the pool, sauna or steam room. Many guests treat it as the first stop in a longer visit rather than the whole trip.
