I wish I were kidding but unfortunately, I'm not.

I went out for a minor back massage and in the middle of it the woman who was a bit portly compared to some Thai women was compressing on my back with her foot. I heard or felt (still not sure) something snap or pop and felt pain in my right rib area. It all happened quickly and in the course of it I rolled over immediately and the woman fell against the wall next to me. In short, drew some real attention. She wasn't hurt.

About 24 hours later, I have complete mobility in my arm but definite pain on what's probably the lowest rib on my right side. A bit of swelling there but no weird jutting bone etc...I can move but it feels tender.

It looks like barring other symptoms, rest is what's mostly recommended. I go to LAOS on Monday AM for a a visa run otherwise I'd probably go get an x-ray.

I'm curious if there's any reason to report this to say someone at a tourism office? Probably a waste of time but it kind of pisses me off that untrained people are probably working in some of these place (Khaosan). I just wondered if anyone has heard of similar stories/injuries w/ regard to the massage joints or if anyone tracks such a thing...again, probably not. I think this was my last back massage here.

Thanks for listening....venting a bit while sore.

Regards,

tideout

An utter waste of time, don't bother.

Worse injuries have been known to occur, espepcially in the toes and fingers related to the habit of "snapping" them.

Sounds like you cracked a rib. Not much you can do about it except tell the owner or manager what the Doctors tell you. Make a copy of the diagnosis and show them. They don't have the same protects as you would have in your own country. Don't go back again.

Thanks for the responses. I am feeling less pain today.

Yeah, that particular place is definitely on my no-go list. About a year and a half ago I was in Chang Mai, also more or less in the tourist zone. Had a strained rib cage but thought it was a fluke - just a bad apple so to speak. I did have a swollen toe once from one of the "snap" things and one of the worst was when a "therapist" in Chang Mail slapped both of my ears simultaneously. Where the f*** did they learn that "technique" - Pol Pot school of massage in Cambodia?

I have to say the more consistent massages were in a regular neighborhood where I lived for a bit - well outside of any tourist areas.

I think my massage days are narrowing quickly unless I find a consistent person whose primary training was the shop shirt fit them......

I was pleasantly surprised that hospitals and doctors keep fairly normal hours on weekends. No need to pay extra at the emergency ward or wait to Monday if you need an x-ray (as far as I know).

In fact I was at my cardiac doc's office this morning (Sunday) for a routine appointment at Bumrungrad.