Her black eyes examined me closely, wrinkles forming in her chestnut brown facial skin as she visually assessed me prior to my massage. “You big boy. I think you need two hour.”
“No, I’m good with one.”
She looked at my plump belly as if to say Yeah, right! “One and a half?”
“One hour is just fine. Khop khun krop,” I replied, thanking her in Thai for the suggestion.
She shrugged and motioned for me to lay on the table. We had previously gone over the laminated menu of the various types of massages available, and I had selected “Swedish (relaxation).” Thai massage is legendary for the pain it inflicts. I’ve read plenty of complaints from people complaining about being sore for days after their massage.
I was not interested in torture. I was interested in being pampered, not pummeled.
I was naturally a bit concerned when she began pressing her hands against my ankles and heels while applying her full weight. I’ve been trained in different types of massage and acupressure, and this was more akin to a sports massage than Swedish.
I decided to wait it out.
Too long, apparently. Before I could open my mouth, I felt the unmistakable pressure and pain of an elbow driving itself into my calf muscle. “You okay?” she asked.
I nodded my head and said “Chai krop.”
She was not happy with this response, and soon her full diminutive form was on the table so that she could really put herself into it.
I refused to wince. We were engaged in a battle now. This was no longer about relaxation. When I drove to her shop, I had fantasized about the scent of massage oil commingled with perhaps the aroma of rose petals coming from a crystal bowl on a nearby pedestal as expert hands gently soothed my taut muscles. In my mind, I would drift asleep as my body was gently manipulated.
Instead, I had a vicious grandma who advertised massage therapy but clearly had been trained by the elite school of torture that is required education for all top physiotherapists.
As the unmistakable pressure of her forearms running up and down my legs continued, I thought She obviously can’t go any deeper.
Oh silly man! I underestimated the power of a bony knee. After finding every single tender spot I had in my legs and back, I figured the worst was over.
You know how people talk about getting a massage where a small Asian woman walks on your back? They’re lucky that’s all that happened.
The next thing I knew, I had a foot pressing against my shoulder while another foot pressed against my pelvis. Popping sounds began at my coccyx and quickly traveled up my spine. “No pain?” she asked in a challenge.
“Nope. I’m good!” I grunted.
That’s when she proceeded to use my body as a doormat, walking all over me, and using her feet to shove various body parts away from each other.
Then the real fun began.
Soon she was sitting on the table between my legs. The soles of her feet planted against my hamstrings and shoved my legs further apart before her toes dug deep between the muscles. She proceeded to use my tendons like guitar strings.
I began deep breathing exercises but almost choked when she performed a hernia examination with her feet, her toes digging deep into the space between my leg and groin (through my shorts). Except this time I didn’t have to turn my head and cough.
When it was finally time to flip over, I was relieved. I had won! But her smile told me she had more tricks up her sleeves. I closed my eyes and pretended I was so relaxed I was falling asleep as she ran her fingers and elbow between my ribs. “You okay?” she asked craftily.
I nodded my head.
“Not too much pain?”
“No, I’m good!” I replied. Yes, I AM that stubborn.
After she was done abusing me, she took hold of my Buddha belly and moobs and began kneading them as if they were a large pile of dumpling dough. Meanwhile, she muttered blessings.
At least that’s what I’d like to believe they were.
After she had worked back down my body, my legs were put into a figure-4 position while she attempted to dislocate my hips.
Back at my feet she was not satisfied until each toe gave an audible pop! as she tugged on them. My left big toe was particularly obstinate and refused her ministrations. It eventually gave in, though, and she said “Ah ha!” with glee when it finally succumbed.
As things began to wind down, I was instructed to sit up. She got behind me, sat down with a pillow in her lap, and my head was lovingly placed in her lap where she lightly stroked my forehead, gently tugged on my ears, and stroked my cheeks and chin.
And then she started lightly smacking me all over my head.
She thankfully returned to relaxing strokes and kneading. At least until she had me sit up while she finished “relaxing” my neck by driving her fingers into every tender point she could find along the base of my skull. I was then doubled over so she could lightly rub my back.
And then she returned to slapping me literally upside the head. I couldn’t help it and started laughing. It was just too comical.
Finally my “relaxation massage” was done. When I stood up, I was instructed to shake and bend my limbs. Good advice since I was finding it a bit difficult to stand.
Hours later my body was still cracking and popping. In the middle of the night, I began to feel the after effects of her elbows and knees. The temporary wonderful feeling after the massage has been replaced by aches and pains. I had to check to see if I had bruises.
The day after is most definitely not as good as the first couple of hours after being on the table, but later in the day the pain dissipated.
Would I do it again?
I’m not so sure. Generally I prefer massages that leave me feeling good or that at least don’t leave me rethinking my choices the next day. Once the pain subsided, things felt pretty good. I’m still crackling and popping a bit a few days later, but nothing that’s painful.
Have you ever experienced a Thai massage? If not, would you be willing to give it a shot after reading this?
OMG these are hilarious! I found this page because I was googling was it normal to be bruised after a thai massage! I went in with a stiff neck – that is amazingly gone but my body feels like I was beaten up head to toe!!! What is worse I went at 6pm she said oh my you should have come this morning when I had more energy. I don’t think I could have lasted if I went earlier in the day. Hoping I feel the benefits more tomorrow
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Yeah, real bummer you missed out on her having more energy. lol I don’t think I’ll forget that moment of waking up because it felt like someone’s hands were moving on me.
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I just had my first Thai massage today..
It’s definitely not what I was expecting! Lol
I’ve had deep tissue, Chinese and Swedish..this is a whole other pain and I thought the Chinese was painful.
Couple of times I was also wondering if it was actually a normal thing as she was flicking my head.
Twisted my arm up and back while, what felt like, she was punching me.
Told myself I gotta check later to see if that’s going to bruise…
After an hour of that was up, she thanked me asked how it was then left the room so I could get dressed.
I was nervous to get up because I was absolutely exhausted after that and dreading the drive home.
I just wanted to lay there..
Got up, my legs almost gave out!
My legs were so shaky when I put on my sweats.
I’ve been home a couple of hours now and my whole body is hurting lol
Everything is sore.
I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings
Not gonna lie though…I’ll probably go back.
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Did you find some bruises later? lol
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I had my first Thai massage yesterday. I had no idea what I was walking into, and just thought it was a normal massage. I swear this older lady was using wrestling moves on me. I half expected a referee to pop into the room and start counting. My legs and back are so sore today. Never again.
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It can be pretty brutal for sure!
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Came across this website for some reason. I absolutely love The thai massage, Sometimes even two a day for all my stays.
That means 40-60 of them in total. All Kinds. I never feel better than after i get home.
Thai massage means bending your body so you get more flexible. If you relax and do it at proper places… Then its very good.
I would recommend anyone to do it more than once. But if you think thai massage is heavy, you should try the same With marble balls as added weight!
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I’ll stick to Swedish with the occasional deep tissue. Thanks, though. LOL
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I see I have stumbled across the Traditional Thai massage emergency room. I and many of you optimistically skipped into the chamber of pain not knowing what awaited us!
Your description, is spot on with my experience this evening.
LE PAIN!!!
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Wishing you a speedy recovery! 😉
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Being unable to sleep because, no matter which wsy I lay, my bum had a really deep ache I thought I would Google whether this was normal after a Thai massage and found your post. You did make me laugh as did many of the comments from readers as well as make me feel relatively lucky not to be in more pain.
My friends and I excitedly treated ourselves to two hours feeling we deserved the pampering! We could hear out Thai friend screaming for her torture to stop and I am ashamed to say we all giggled saying her massage must be painful! I don’t know who we thought we were kidding as ours was excruciating too but being stubborn/stupid we weren’t about to give in and scream. TWO HOURS what were we thinking? Still waiting for my bum to stop aching and bruises to fade and for that feel good feeling to arrive! We are currently in Korat in NE Thailand and the talk is of trying another in Bangkok next week if we have recovered. Will take your advice about going to the temple – we will obviously be safe there!
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TWO HOURS?! Yeah, that was NOT a wise decision. LOL!
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Hi. Any kind of Massage should not have caused any pain or discomfort .
I am a well experienced masssage therapist , you need to find the right one
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Swedish massage, which is what I requested, should be pain-free for sure. But many other types of massage do cause discomfort and pain depending on multiple factors.
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This was hilarious! I had my first Thai massage today…and am in pain. I have not belly laughed, since I don’t know when –it’s been that long. Thank you for that. You have a gift!
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I’m so glad you had so much fun with the post! Good luck on the massage recovery. LOL
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I have a Thai massage every week here in Kununurra Western Australia and I love it. Yes, on occasions it hurts (like yesterdays did) but this morning I can walk straight and feel great again. They stretch all my muscles and keep me very active. I’m 67 and can still work full time comfortably due to my ongoing massages.
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I’m glad you’ve had good experiences.
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I had a Thailand message done in December 2017, still very sore days after…seeing a doctor on Monday after reading this article…
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Oh my goodness! Yours beat mine! Hope you’re OK quickly.
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While I have always been a bit of a glutton for pain during “deep tissue massage,” I was gobsmacked on how a 50kg woman could have beaten me up so badly this morning during my 2-hour Thai massage (my first). I knew nothing about it when I ordered it.. It often had flavors of jiu-jitsu. Hours later I’m still f’d up. I had to Google this to find out what the deal is and found this post- I couldn’t say it any better. I will never forget her crazy laugh and the 3 times she said in a sadistic voice “no die, no die.” It was hilarious, brutal and beautiful.
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I think I’d be a bit worried if she was saying that to me during the massage! Yikes! LOL
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OMG. This made me laugh. I just came home from Thailand and I had no idea the amount of torture I was in for by asking for a Thai massage. Who woulda known….? I though all massage was nice, quiet and relaxing. Well holy hell was I ever wrong. I needed a safe word!! It was so incredibly painful(ly good.) 15 minutes in I was taking on the challenge… Should I stay or should I go!!! Well I endured the full 60 minutes but I didn’t want to. But I too, am a stubborn girl and won’t ever quit, bruises or not. And yes I had a track of bruises all up and down my butt cheeks. And to top it all off when I got done and sat up and really looked at her…SHE WAS A HE!! A strong lean skinny muscular HE!!! LOL
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Well, you sure got lots of Thai culture all in one event. lol
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Quite honestly, Thai massage is my absolute favorite massage! I have pretty significant neck and upper back pain. Before my first Thai massage, I was going for sports massages biweekly and they made only a slight difference. After my incredibly painful Thai massage, and the days of bruises and soreness after, I felt better than I’d felt in years – and it lasted almost six weeks! Now I am hooked and I pretty much won’t do any other kind of massage!
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I’m glad it works so well for you, but it sure does sound like torture!
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Like an idiot, I had 2 in a row…..24hrs apart. I’m 66 and my body is got some aches and pains. After th first I felt good. After th second ………..sore and tired legs. Third -fourth -fifth day I’m dealing w fevers. I think all th possible toxins are trying to get out. Last nite I had 6 cold showers. Now I’m shivering again. Do toxins cause a lot of grief? BTW…. we’re in Graz, Austria, …….4th week of a 3 month world trip. I can’t simply call my Doc. She’s sleeping.
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I can’t imagine doing one much less back to back. Oh my!
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Got my first Thai massage today… I started off telling my therapist that I was a Thai virgin, so she was relatively calm with me. Untill she discovered the knots in my back and neck, which is the root of my migraines… 4 hours later, I am stiff as can be, my kidneys feel a bit bruised, But I feel relaxed and calm. Booked another appointment for next Sunday!!! Oh, and she gave me a “sedative tea” after, to assist my body as well as migraines…
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Just wait until later. lol Sedative tea would’ve been awfully nice, though, especially after beating me up.
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No I would never and I went to school for massage therapy
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I don’t understand why some people enjoy them.
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Oh, my god, I’m still recovering from the Korean (no pain, no gain) massage I had yesterday. During my torture, I kept thinking ‘this must be what 50 Shades of Gray people like’. Atm, I don’t know whether to go back or not. Am really interested in the long term effects.
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You couldn’t pay me to go through that again.
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Today I endured 1.5 hours of painful torture in the hands of a tiny Asian woman that assured me that it was for my best – she was making a sacrifice for ME, She said she was giving me all her ,good, energy and taking all my bad! I searched the net to see if this kind of torture was normal and came across this post. I laughed so hard that I.m not sure what hurt more, the massage or the stitch I got from laughing so hard LOL I can’t believe that I actually booked another one in 5 days, this time a full body one. Strangely enough I actually do feel better… but I won’t know until I check for bruising tomorrow.. it will be a miracle if I don’t look like I have run over by a truck! Thank you so much for such an entertaining post 🙂
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My God!! I thought I was the only one!! Painful Thai “relaxing” massage last night. Firstly she started by saying, I am here for you be happy, you happy I happy.. OK! She absolutely killed me. Half the time I was questioning myself whether I walked in to the right place. Mind you, This was my first ever massage.. I have nothing to compare it to. However, I feel broken today I am in so much pain but I like it? I think I’ll go back but would like to try something more calming and relaxing. What kind of massages would you recommend? Thank you for the great post!
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This was your first massage?! Oh poor you for sure! Go for a Swedish relaxation massage or an oil massage. Those are the addicting ones.
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After getting my very first thai massage yesterday, i wanted to review if my troubles were that of my personal experience or maybe i missed the part that they represent torture. Found your post and made me laugh my pain away. I guess i too totally missed the torture memo. I am still hurting and i keep checking if i have bruises. At 5’1 and 125 pounds, i wondered if i should probably try it again with someone closer to my weight. Hahaha
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The next day was the absolute worst. Glad my post helped you feel less alone in your misery. 😀
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This is so funny because it is true.
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I am seriously dying of laughter. I am now extra curious about getting one while I’m here
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If you’re in Bangkok, do it at Wat Po. MUCH better there.
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My first and only Thai massage was at home in Australia. It was the most horrific 60 minutes of my life and was actually a birthday present (if you can call this torture a present!) I’m a bit stubborn too and made it to the end without weeping but it’s not something I ever wish to experience again! E.V.E.R.
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You know it’s bad when you can feel their fingers pressing into you 12 hours later.
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This was hysterical, but I love the way Thai massages cause me to actually feel my body. I tried getting a massage here in Italy that was the worst I’ve ever had. She was just gliding her hands over my body with no pressure at all. I kept asking for more but nothing. I personally can’t wait to have another Thai massage!
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I much prefer a relaxing Swedish massage.
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After getting a haircut in India, the barber kindly offered me a “free massage”. Yes, it was basically torture as he flexed and almost broke all of my bones. I left him a big tip in order for him to stop :O
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Yowch!
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Ah, I mistakenly walked in thinking it was going to be a lovely, relaxing experience. I even took three of the kids with me as a treat. Well! At least misery had company to commiserate afterwards. My son swears he will never get another massage.
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It wouldn’t have been so bad, I suppose, had I actually asked for a Thai massage, but I made it clear I wanted a Swedish! Your poor boys. Tigger only had a leg and foot massage while there, and he’s a fan.
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FEEL THE PAIN!
LOL that’s some brutal stuff, for sure! I love me some thai massage on my feet, though….no matter how much you brutalize my walkers, I’m a happy camper 🙂
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That WAS a great foot massage. Did that a few times at least while we were in Thailand.
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When in Chiang Mai I opted for the foot massage and pedicure, which were wonderful. After reading this, I’m glad I did!
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It’s supposed to be less painful in Chiang Mai, but yeah probably wise decision. LOL
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I wonder if they are actually any good for you? Surely the after-effects most loosen your muscles after that sort of workout!
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1-1/2 days later, yes. I did feel better. I actually felt my gait change and have been sleeping better. I’m sure the one they do up north, which is more like passive yoga, is probably even more helpful as it stretches and works on various meridians.
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Omg I know this post is old.. But I walked into an Eastern massage shop yesterday.. And my results were about the same as your story. And the eighteen wheeler feels like it’s parked on top of me! The bruises have already shown up. Never been in this much pain before. Never again! Then she demanded a $10 tip at the end for her torture session.
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Whoa! Crazy!
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Hahaha Talon This post just made my day, can’t stop laughing!
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I’m so glad it provided you with some entertainment!
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I must be some kind of masocist because I really enjoy Thai massage… even when it hurts!! I find if I breathe out with the pressure they apply instead of tensing and fighting back it hurts a lot less. Maybe she was just a bit heavy handed (and kneed and elbowed) with you because you’re big and she thought you could take it? 😛
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I think she saw it as a personal challenge. LOL
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When I was in Thailand, I had grand plans to get a massage…then I saw the bruises on one of the girls in my hostel and it scared me so bad I decided I didn’t care how cheap they were I wasn’t going to do it…I still have never had a massage…
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I’m really not surprised. I thought for sure I had bruises when I woke up in the middle of the night and could feel her elbow pressing against me still. No visible bruising, though.
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Yeah I’ll try one. I have never had a Thai massage but when i get massages here I am constantly asking for them to go deeper. Hurts when it is being done but oh so good after.
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Oh, they’ll be more than happy to dig deep!
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Pretty funny. A good rule of thumb for traveling in Thailand is that if you are going to get a massage, go to a local temple that offers massages. You’ll get fully trained masseuses who take the job seriously. You’ll see why so many of us love Thai massage and even consider it to be relaxing!
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I would say she took it pretty seriously. LOL I’ve also heard that the technique differs between the north and the south, with that of the north being more relaxing and more like passive yoga.
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Took a yoga class for the first time last week, to break myself back into exercise “gently”! I couldn’t move two days after, but I am now 6’2″ LOL
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HAHA! I should’ve measured myself after. I’m sure I gained some height as well.
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That was hilarious! Loved the photos as a visual for it all!
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Glad you enjoyed it!
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Hilarious! I, for one, am a Thai massage ADDICT. Last time I was in Bangkok for 4 days and had 3 massages. Seriously. They’re the bomb! That said, it is definitely an acquired taste. You may want to try a massage at Wat Pho, which is supposedly the best in Bangkok (they run a training program) .
Off subject slightly, but I tried a blind massage in China. As in, the masseuse was blind. It was rather interesting, as he had a box that I would announce how much time he had left. Still though, that was a more traditional massage. Couldn’t wait to get myself back to Thailand for more “massage torture!”
Hope you do give Thai massage another shot though!
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I probably will, esp if it’s up north where the style is different. I did feel good after a couple of days, and I’ve noticed my gait has changed so it righted some things for me. Even if it did have me rethinking my choice later on. LOL
I’ll have to check out the wat. Thanks for that.
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This story resonates with me as I endured a massage from hell in Los Cabos, Mexico last year. It was my second time ever getting a swedish massage. The first was in St. Kitts and it was incredibly relaxing. Not this time! I had this older Mexican woman who was pummeling me, but, like you I refused to throw up the white flag. At one point she stopped the massage and when I looked back she whispered, “You okay?” “I strong!” as she flexed her bicep high in the air. WTF!?
Massages are very hit or miss. Not to scare anyone but I met a guy on a press trip in Aruba that got injured during a massage in the Caribbean. The massage therapist actually injured some of the ligaments in his angle/lower leg so he had to walk around in a boot for a few months. I would have never even thought of the possibility of that happening before meeting him.
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Whoa! You have to be seriously negligent to injure someone like that. Holy crap!
I think some of those old ladies enjoy showing how they can put a hurt on guys. LOL
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I got a traditional Thai massage, the kind where they bend you in impossible directions, in Chiang Mai and it was incredibly relaxing. Felt two inches taller afterwards! Then I got a deep-tissue oil massage on Koh Lanta and even though she was using only “medium pressure,” I had to keep myself from wincing. I definitely preferred the first one, though would do them both again. No pain, no gain!
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I’ve been told in the north it’s much more relaxing and like passive yoga. Down south tends to be more painful, and that’s where I was. Sounds like our folks were trained in the same school.
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No thanks, I’ll stick to the totally painless, maybe even relaxing, Thai bikini wax.
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That just made me cross my legs.
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NOPE.
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Where’s your sense of adventure? LOL
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My first (and last) Thai massage was with a blind masseuse. He walked in and promptly knelt down, driving one knee heavily onto my nether regions. The rest of the massage wasn’t much less painful…
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Not to self: No massages from a blind masseuse. YIKES!
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“…slapping me literally upside the head.” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Talon!! Hahahaha!
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I still laugh when I think about it.
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“You big boy. I think you need two hour.” You gotta admire her diplomatic sales tactics. 😉
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Gotta love Asian frankness.
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We had a Thai massage in Chiang Mai and your description is pretty detailed, however I think the lady that did it to me was more ‘gentle’ that the guy who did it to Dale. In fact Dale ended up having a very bad lower back pain for 2/3 days at least.
Not having had a Thai massage before, we weren’t sure if it was supposed to be like that or not, but after reading your post we have the confirmation. 🙂
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Wow, how’d you get so lucky as to be spared? LOL
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Oh man, I feel your pain. No, seriously, I do. And will again this week, for about $9. It’s like yoga for the lazy, and prepares me to resist giving away government secrets if I’m ever held indefinitely in a black site.
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Definitely good practice for that. I’ve been told that in the north it’s less painful and more relaxing.
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HAHAHAHAHA…i so want to get a real thai massage, but im also kind of a masochist.
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Right up your alley, Dani. LOL
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And you paid for such fun?!
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That’s what I kept asking myself. LOL
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LOL!
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Glad you enjoyed that. 🙂
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