What is a Spa?

A spa is an establishment contributing to people’s wellness in an environment conducive to relaxation and which offers as the main activity one or more forms of water therapy. The environment conducive to relaxation also offers one or several types of professional treatments which includes massage therapy offered in two or more treatment rooms and comprising a relaxation area reserved for this purpose.

What makes Thai Spas different from spas in any other parts of the world? Something that you should definitsly not miss on your visit to Phuket or Thailand is the massage or spa services on offer because the Thai massage and spa experience is unique and has an identity of its own. Thai therapists are experts and gifted in this field as Thai massage is part of the Thai culture as children have been taught to massage their elders since ancient times.

There is a big difference between the service offered between a spa, and your normal masssage parlor. A massage shop concerns itself primarily with relaxation and easing discomfort, usually with little consideration for atmosphere. As well as providing exellent massage services, spas also create an ambience where the taste, smell, sounds and touch are created to eneure that not only your body and your mind find complete relaxation and peace. The also provide services to increase your beauty and health such as scrubs, wraps, baths and facial treatments.

What is a THAI SPA?

Thai ancient ways of natural rejuvenation combined together with the best Thai healing practices, herbal secrets and modern advanced discoveries in beauty and wellness.

One of the best representations of Thailand’s golden era designed with a distinctive Thai atmosphere are the Thai spa. The gentle and courteous Thai ambience pervades all to create a magical a place where beautiful and gracious people provide the ultimate in personal.

What is Thai Massage?

Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, Thai massage was
performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine.

Thai Massage is a combination of deep tissue, pressure points and stretching. Thai Massage has many physical benefits such as improving blood circulation, increasing muscle flexibility and relieving pain in the back, neck or shoulders.

What Does Thai Massage Feel Like?

Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than more clasaic forms of massage. Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people say Thai massage is like doing yoga without any work. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are also used during
treatment. People describe Thai massage as both relaxing and energizing. What Should I Expect During My Visit? Thai massage is usually done on a padded mat on the floor. No oil is applied, so you are fully dressed. You are usually asked to bring or wear comfortable clothing to the massage. A typical Thai massage is 60 minutes to two hours long.

Many people find that Thai massage has the following benefits:

• Relaxes.
• Reduces stress.
• Improves circulation.
• Increases energy.
• Increases flexibility.
• Improves range of motion.
• Centers the mind and body.

Massage is not recommended for certain people:

• Infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
• Immediately after surgey
• Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
• Prone to blood clots.  There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have
  heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
• Pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting
  a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage
  therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage. Massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

If you are considering Thai massage, talk with your doctor first.

Additional tips:

• Don’t eat a heavy meal before the massage.
• If it’s your first time at the clinic or spa, arrive at least 10 minutes early to
• Complete the necessary forms. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can
  have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.
• Better provide to your massage therapist  your health history, because
  people with certain conditions should not have Thai massage.
• If you feel discomfort at any time, let your massage therapist know.

Spa treatments:

Most spas have saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs, and Jacuzzis. Spa therapies are focused on the healing process through the 5 physical senses of humans- sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.

Sight: By decorating places and surroundings to create an atmosphere that
affects humans’ emotions.
Smell: By using essential oils and herbal treatments.
Taste: By consuming foods or beverages for the purpose of detoxification.
Touch: By massaging to relax the body.
Hearing: By using music to create a relaxed atmosphere.
The health resorts and spas have risen to a new travel trend in Thailand. Many foreigners who have come and experienced Thai spas were impressed by treatments and excellent services at affordable prices. A unique Thai healing practice is efficiently combined with the western-style spa to create the most effective therapy, which brings a reputation to the country.

Thai spas offer a wide variety of treatments ranging from head to toes.

Thai spa concept consists of three conceptions:

Thai cultural heritage:
The Thai spa treatments are deeply ingrained in Thai culture and have been practiced around for 2,500 years. For example, Wat Pho’s Thai Traditional Medical and Massage School offers courses on Thai Traditional Medicine and Practice, Thai Herbal Drugs and Thai Traditional Massage.
Traditional massage:
Thai massage incorporates the use of the massage therapist’s palms, fingers, elbows, knees and feet to provide acupressure to the body’s ten major energy channels or “Sen” lines. This technique is designed to release blocked energy and promote relaxation. Through stretching and passive joint movement, Thai
massage can restore the flow of positive energy and provide relief for strained or tightened muscles.

Herbal remedies:
Exotic spa products such as massage balls or Thai herbs, truly open a whole new experience for guests. The Thai herbal ball is rolled across triggers points and isolated muscle groups of the body while steam promotes muscle relaxation and increased body energy. The heated ball compresses tight or stiff muscles to allow for greater movement and flexibility of both the muscles and joints, while the herbs work to open airways and rejuvenate the senses.

There are several types of Thai spas which include:

The destination spa:
The spa services, educational programming, and exclusive cuisine are provided with a package of hotel or resort accommodation aiming to enhance health and lifestyle of clients.

The hotel/resort spa:
A spa is located in and owned by a hotel or resort to provide professional and convenient treatment services to its customers.

The medical spa:
The medical spa is a combination of professional medical treatments and spa services to provide comprehensive health care.

The day spa:
The day spa is a spa that provides professional treatments and spa services to clients on a daily-basis.

The mineral spring spa:
A spa that offers a hot or mineral spring to attract tourists.

The club spa:
A small spa which located in a fitness center or health club for the customer’s relaxation.

The cruise ship spa:
A spa service on a cruise ship.