Thai Massages. Is It Just Me That Does Not Enjoy Them?

[poanoi]

Wow, i never thought to hear so many dislike thai massage.

When i started reading how rough they were, my first thought was

WHERE is the TOUGHEST ones ?

because my dissatisfaction comes if/when they aren't strong enough, or too lazy to give it a hard work.

I think leg massage is totally useless though, so i tell them to focus all their strength on my really bad back for 2 hours.

Actually the reason i dont go any longer is because the odds of finding someone tough enough, is poor,

and i taught my GF, who isn't lazy and does listen, does better job than at least 90%

No pain no gain

[bonobo]

I am not a fan of Thai massage. It may be beneficial, but I don't like the process. It is very close to the torture they call rolfing in the US. I got rolfed after a marathon once, and while it may have sped up the healing, I think the massage itself was worse than the run! I feel the same with Thai massage.

I do like a good oil massage, and I like foot massage, too, though.

[DLock]

I am also surprised at the amount of people that do not like Thai massage.

I also do not like Thai massage, not because of the pain, but because I get bored stupid lying there for 1 hour thinking about what else I could be doing right now.

[Shurup]

Whata bunch of wussies!

It's supposed to hurt but up to the limit of course. If they go too hard, tell them that. Few of the places I've been to ask you beforehand how you want it.

It is a good feeling after the massage, like some mentioned, same like after the exercises, you feel better. Any time I come to Pattaya I have a route to go through, hit a California WOW gym (on a second road and soi 12 or 13 I think), then take a baht taxi to Sauna and Spa place on a second road, across from soi 6, then normally after sauna I walk out and walk back a few blocks and get 2 hrs Thai massage at one of the places there. Later on when you sit at the bar and enjoy your fav drink you feel like you were just born. Great feeling.

[thaimate]

Thai massages. Most everyone I mention them to swears by them..loves them: asks me if I get a Thai massage every day when I'm in Thailand.

But to me they are a brutal beast. A form of sadistic punishment that middle aged Thai women like to dish out to me. Pounding and prodding me in the most painful way they can think of. Getting their finger sand thumbs deep around the muscles. I'm sure they are lifting them out of their slots and compacting them in their palms. I've tried 4 of them now. Different locations. Different types. Full Body. Back/shoulder/head. Head/Shoulder. I feel like i've given them a fair go over a period a year, just to make sure.

The only one I like is the head/shoulder..or a massage from my GF just on the back and shoulder.

I've had plenty of massages in Australia. I had a bad neck and back after an accident and i got all sorts of massage and corrective work, but I cant remember any that were so robust.

Is it just me? Am I the only person who doesn't enjoy a Thai massage?

Thank God for that ,i thought i was the only one who didnt like them ,in 23 years i have not had many but there was not one i enjoyed.

[BookMan]

No it isn't just you,I have had dozens and dozens of massages,over the years,and not one has ever lived up to my expectation,

I expect to come out feeling very relaxed and walking on air,it never happens though,what I do get is plenty of muscular aches,

I really dont know why I keep punishing myself, by having one every few months,perhaps it's me being too skinny?

That's a good point...im a bit lean in parts myself...i don't think it helps

[xthAi76s]

Someone mentioned Korean massage (the other more sensual kind). I actually like the Korean massage process a bit better. Not necessarily the massage itself, but the sauna before hand. Sitting in a steam sauna is one of the most relaxing things I have experienced. It they could combine a 1) DIY warm/hot/cold shower with 2) a steam sauna room 15 - 30 minutes and then 3) a good Chinese style Tui Na massage for a hour - hour and a half, that would be my preference.

I agree that the pain from Thai massage is very similar to what you get from foam rolling.

[kdadane]

No pain - no gain. A 2 hr. Thai massage is definately a workout.

[geriatrickid]

I prefer 1 hr Thai massage and the other night I dozed off and started snoring. The girls send me home with the admonition to get a good nights sleep. The only part I dislike is the over abundance of pressure on my thigh and legs. I have been using the same shop for 3 years. The girls change, and they never assign the same lady. Sometimes I get a very delicate one and at other times I get a battle axe. They always ask me , OK? during the process and lighten up. I don't stretch out very well so they put extra effort like sitting on my leg or using their legs to leverage themselves. My Thai friend who goes with me hates Thai massage and prefers the full body oil thing. The girls like him asa customer since he's cute. My friend says, the unlucky oncs get stuck with me the papa because I always moan and groan and walk like I broke something after the massage.

I want an oil massage but I'm shy and don't like the paper underwear they make you wear.

[Jingthing]

No pain, no gain ... if you're a masochist. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Edited December 28, 2011 by Jingthing

[exeter]

I think our western bodies are not as supple and used to the unusual movement that are required to be inflicted on the recipient, dont know if its the warmer climate or I just spent a lot more time working. I think maybe a relaxing thai oil massage might be better for me but so far have avoided them in case they too will try and break the rest of my body! They want money for it as well this torture!

I will go and watch the cricket now and massage myself into the chair, much more relaxing

Edited December 28, 2011 by exeter

[hotandhumid]

They are boring. I usually tell the woman I'm leaving before the hour. A Thai massage is too painful and an oil massage just feels like someone rubbing sun lotion on you. They normally want you to have a shower before and you NEED to have one after. How many showers in one day can you be bothered with? The rooms are normally dingy with dirty mattresses to lie on.

The only good part is the ending, which I normally have at the beginning, hence why I don't usually last the hour.

H&H

Edited December 28, 2011 by hotandhumid

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Hate them too. Tend to do way more damage than they solve, and it's not like it's enjoyable either.

[Jingthing]

I don't even know why I thought I used to like them. Kind of like pot. If it makes you paranoid, simples, don't do it. It is funny that I was one of those people who thought I would be doing them a lot when I moved to Thailand because I did them as a tourist. Nope. I do wish there was good Swedish massage available here. Maybe haven't looked hard enough but those Thai oil massages are for the birds, who wants to smell like a cheap salad?

[bonobo]

I don't even know why I thought I used to like them. Kind of like pot. If it makes you paranoid, simples, don't do it. It is funny that I was one of those people who thought I would be doing them a lot when I moved to Thailand because I did them as a tourist. Nope. I do wish there was good Swedish massage available here. Maybe haven't looked hard enough but those Thai oil massages are for the birds, who wants to smell like a cheap salad?

The 200-300 baht one-hour oil massages might make you smell "like a cheap salad," but at any of the spas, you select your oil, and the fragrances vary quite a bit. Of course, those massages run from 700 baht at a place like Rose Garden to 2000 baht at the Banyon Tree, but I think they are well worth it.

[Jingthing]

Yeah, you're right, but are the massages similar to a good Swedish style one in the west? Now, those are really, really relaxing.

[bonobo]

Yeah, you're right, but are the massages similar to a good Swedish style one in the west? Now, those are really, really relaxing.

At the spas, yes. They are what I would call a Swedish massage with maybe a bit of shiatsu thrown in, but primarily Swedish. I took a class in Swedish massage a number of years ago, and while I don't profess to be an expert at giving them, I do know enough to recognize the techniques.

You can actually find some masseuses in the cheaper places who can give a Swedish massage. Depending on where they were trained, they actually know the difference. But those places are a little more hit-and-miss. At the real spas, I think pretty much each massage is a hit, at least in my experience so far.

[tropo]

I am trained in thai massage, I honestly see many who do not factor in peoples age and physical status before stretching them way to far.

they get in a routine and massage eveyone the same way.

this is a problem for man who are not flexible, and can hurt quite a lot.

Exactly. Stretching cold joints is always bad, especially when you're older. What it does is stretch the ligaments which hold the joints in place and also tendons. The stretching damages the connective tissue - no wonder it hurts. There is absolutely no benefit in doing this.

I could hardly walk when I first came to Thailand - after having many Thai massages. It doesn't help that most people receive massages from unskilled practitioners.

[BookMan]

Yeah, you're right, but are the massages similar to a good Swedish style one in the west? Now, those are really, really relaxing.

At the spas, yes. They are what I would call a Swedish massage with maybe a bit of shiatsu thrown in, but primarily Swedish. I took a class in Swedish massage a number of years ago, and while I don't profess to be an expert at giving them, I do know enough to recognize the techniques.

You can actually find some masseuses in the cheaper places who can give a Swedish massage. Depending on where they were trained, they actually know the difference. But those places are a little more hit-and-miss. At the real spas, I think pretty much each massage is a hit, at least in my experience so far.

I do like those style of massage. Thats what it's all about. relaxing

[tropo]

The 200-300 baht one-hour oil massages might make you smell "like a cheap salad,"

No kidding. You can bring your own oil but all the towels are saturated with the smell of those cheap, rancid oils they use.

[Dararasmi]

Eighteen years of traveling to/living in Thailand and I've never had a massage. Never had any kind of massage anywhere, actually. Never felt I needed one.

[Pacificperson]

I used to like them as a tourist but after a few close calls of feeling like they injured me, I quit them. I much prefer real Swedish massage but here that mostly means some kind of sex dealio. I especially don't like the massage Viagra where they put pressure on your leg arteries and also the sudden twisting of your neck, which it seems to me if you aren't relaxed enough, could be seriously damaging. I have also heard for many people the leg artery thing is medically dangerous and its not as if they screen anyone for medical conditions here. 'Nuff said

Christ, will let the mrs do her thing, grin and bare it.

Why pay for something that doesn't please?

I don't pay, comes with the marriage.

Me to. Mine studied with a blind master to massage patients in the hospital. Her elbows into the pressure points on my back - ouch. I don't let her near me when she is mad.

Edited December 28, 2011 by Pacificperson

[Ulysses G.]

It is very difficult to get a genuine therapeutic Thai massage unless you live here and track a real maw nuet (doctor of massage) down. The real therapists use techniques that do not feel good when they are doing it, but if you have physical problems, you feel much better later and it often lasts for at least a few days.

[Wallaby]

After reading other posters problems with massages on numerous threads I found I just couldn't relax because I always had a firm grasp on my wallet that I kept under my pillow and one eye open just in case someone crept into the room to rummage through my things.

[cardholder]

After reading other posters problems with massages on numerous threads I found I just couldn't relax because I always had a firm grasp on my wallet that I kept under my pillow and one eye open just in case someone crept into the room to rummage through my things.

Are you sure your jewels were safe ?

[vtjforyou]

Only happy ending is good :-)

[KeyserSoze01]

After reading other posters problems with massages on numerous threads I found I just couldn't relax because I always had a firm grasp on my wallet that I kept under my pillow and one eye open just in case someone crept into the room to rummage through my things.

The most relaxing massage I have had in Thailand was on the beach, laying on a large blanket under palms trees, listening to the sound of the sea as an older Thai lady with hands like ham-hocks gave me a 1 hour oil massage. Pure bliss. No chance for theft as you keep your shorts on.

[samran]

bunch of sissy boys

[eslteacher]

Maybe im in the minority in that I want a real rough massage. However, for the most part although the Thai massages were quite painful I did not feel better afterwards or even the day after. To this day i've had two real good Thai Massages, both from the same lady. She was brilliant, roughed me up something fierce but I felt like a million bucks after.

[tort]

If you are walking into a Thai massage with no pain and walking out in pain then you are going to the wrong masseuse! I own a massage shop and personally vet all our masseuses (well somebody has to). They all vary in their firmness but, unless you have a specific ailment they are working on it will be a comfortable, relaxing experience. There is no unnecessary pain and suffering in my shop!

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