Several years ago I used to really tout the Thai Massage to friends and visitors to Thailand. Then I started to travel more and get massages in other countries and unfortunately I have learned that the regular Thai massages are quite lacking.

 

My favorite kind of massage is seen below. Someone literally walks on your back. Also it makes a huge difference when the masseuse uses their hands to find pressure points on the muscle and when this is done from head to toe it has amazing effects on blood circulation and well being.

 

I have looked for places in Bangkok that offer these specialized kinds of massages and I can't find anywhere. I am guessing you can really get high quality massage like this but I just don't know. That is why I am posting here. Any suggestions.

 

 

Hi, I'm the same, I used to tout massage to friends and family, my brother actually took a Thai massage course in Bangkok. I live in Samut Prakarn and the small massage place I regularly go to offers this type of massage. I haven't tried it myself but I've seen other customers having it done. I'm sure many places offer it, should be easy to find. 
At my local place, the masseuses don't have the proper overhead bars and ropes as seen in the picture, they just have two ropes to hold onto. Not sure how safe it is or whether it's actual Thai massage. It's obviously so the masseuse can apply greater pressure compared with using their hands.    

Have had a few Thai traditional massages (nuat paen boran) and some of them walk on your back, some don't. They didn't use bars or ropes to hold on. Guess it depends on the repertoire of the masseuse whether she does it, but it is part of nuat paen boran.

Edited October 16, 20169 yr by katana

I can only speak for Chiang Mai because I have lived here for several years.
Over the years the quality of massage has really deteriorated, many of the staff in the massage establishments are not qualified, just a rub over with hands, I really don`t think there are any proper professional massage practices in Chiang Mai.

Local upcountry temple does back walking - no ropes or apparatus but they use walkers... I have a history of some back problems and do not want to risk it, but they tend to take massage seriously here. 

 

I have not been there in years but in Petchburi there is a massage hospital and I am sure they do therapeutic massage, not sure if they back walk or not. 

I used to get half-Thai back massages.  I would get my two kids to walk on me when I got home from work.  They got heavier and grew bored with it, and that was that.  But "hop on Pop" was great while it lasted.  I would lay on the floor between the couch and coffee table so the little tykes had something to hold onto.