Time for Thai Massage
This is a change from earlier blogs. Instead of focusing on facilities providing primarily Swedish Massages, I’ll give you four locations for getting a great traditional Thai Massage.
If you haven’t had a traditional Thai Massage, you may be surprised by significant benefits noted in a comparative study about traditional Thai Massage. The study cites one benefit as being increased heart rate variability (HRV). This is a good thing - it reflects the heart's ability to respond to quick changes throughout the body.
Focusing exclusively on two of the Thai Massage sessions I received, one in Vienna, Austria in June 2022, and another in Athens, Greece in May 2023, I hope to inspire you to experience the benefits of Thai Massage. These locations continue to accept new clients as of March 2024.
If you’re unable to make it to Austria or Greece, you are welcome to schedule a session at fibre: A Homespun Spa in Silver Spring, Maryland, where Thai Massage on the table is offered. We also incorporate many Thai Massage techniques into the Classic Massage session.
For a traditional Thai Massage, gentle stretching movements and focused compressions are used during the session; oils are not used. To allow ease of movement, you wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. The session usually starts at the feet before addressing the rest of the body.
Another version is the Thai Oil Massage. It is similar to a Swedish Massage because gliding strokes may be used in addition to the compressions. You undress to your level of comfort for this session.
Thai Massage also includes a foot massage. For this massage, you’d wear clothing that allows access to your feet and calf muscles. You are comfortably seated and the therapist sits in front of you. The therapist uses oil or creams on your feet for as well as a wooden tool for deep work or reflexology.
You can read the discoveries I made during these two visits:
A traditional Thai Massage at Mayawee Thai Spa and Massage near StadtPark metro in Vienna, Austria.
A Nuad Signature Massage at Nuad Thai Massage Athens III near the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece.
Please click on the plus (+) to expand each section. If you missed them, please see earlier posts about other European spas (e.g., Serenity in Portugal, Ritz Carlton in Vienna).
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It took an overnight flight to Vienna, Austria for me to get my first traditional Thai Massage. I had a few hours before I could check into my hotel room, so I booked two sessions at Mayawee Thai Spa and Massage. It is about a fifteen-minute walk from the CAT (City Airport Train) Station (i.e., a direct link between the airport and downtown Vienna).
I chose the Thai Foot Massage as my first session. For 30 minutes, the therapist used deliberate strokes to address tension in my feet and lower legs. It relaxed my entire body.
It felt amazing! It greatly helped counter the effects of being seated for so long on a flight.
I selected the traditional Thai Massage as the second session. For these types of massages, you typically remain fully clothed while the therapist applies pressure at specific points and includes stretching or rocking of your limbs and back. To receive the massage, it’s best to wear clothes with stretch in them.
The spa had a stack of Thai Fisherman pants neatly folded and ready for clients to use. I changed into these loose-fitting and comfortable pants before the next session.
I received the foot massage in a spot near the front of the spa. For the Traditional Thai Massage, I entered the treatment room which had a wide table with posts on each side. The table is lower than the massage table used at fibre. A thin mattress provided cushioning.
After I lay face down on the table, the therapist placed a support under my ankles and started the session. My therapist did a series of stretches for my legs, arms and back. When she my had my arms pulled behind my back, she quickly adjusted the depth of the stretch to align with my limited range of motion. At one point, I think the therapist walked along my back (I fell asleep so I can’t remember every movement).
Recommend: I highly recommend scheduling a session at Mayawee Thai Spa and Massage. It is a quiet, intimate space just a short walk from StadPark.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t get an appointment at Aisawan Spa which looks amazing. I did get Thai Massages at two other places in Vienna.
I recommend DaDa Thai Massage Studio. It is adjacent to the Wein Mail and very close to the CAT Station (less than a five-minute walk). They use the large platform tables and followed the same protocol used a Mayawee for a traditional session.
The Wandee Thai Massage is further from the CAT station; it’s budget friendly and worth the trip. They use a floor mat instead of the elevated table. They also have a shower. My session here included the most variety in terms of effective stretches.
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After walking through ancient ruins, a session at Nuad Thai Massage Athens III helps reset the mind and body.
With hopes high, I used WhatsAp and snagged two appointments (one for my friend) for the same day. Very unusual to be able to get a same day appointment at a spa and especially in the evening.
What an amazing find! It’s a few blocks from the Acropolis Museum and near so many restaurants.
To reach Nuad, climb a few flights of steps then enter a welcoming space.
After being greeted at the door, you take a seat and exchange your shoes for their slippers. We received cups of deliciously aromatic hot tea to sip before being taken to treatment rooms for our sessions.
Instead of the Traditional Thai Massage, I got the Thai Oil Massage, which is a lot like Swedish massage. I fell asleep during the session. My friend enjoyed her session too.
Recommend: If you’re going to tour the Acropolis, I highly recommend booking a massage session at Nuad by using WhatsAp. After walking the hill to reach the Acropolis and navigating the slippery walkways, you’ll appreciate a good massage.
How these Massages Helped Enhance Services at fibre:
After several Thai massages in Vienna, Austria, I took online training in Thai massage during the global pandemic. In 2022, I traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand to get hands-on training. As a result, Thai massage on the table and on the mat (floor) have been offered to Wellness Members at fibre: A Homespun Spa in Silver Spring, Maryland.
As mentioned in an earlier review, Ghana Travel Plans? Three Ways to Add a Relaxing Massage to Your Trip, we bring elements of Thai massage into the protocol for integrative reflexology sessions. The reflexology protocol process is supplemented with Thai massage at the beginning of the session.
Many existing practices at fibre continue (e.g., access to private lounge before and after session, complimentary foot bath, client-focused treatment, scheduled time begins when you get on the massage table).
As a thank you for reading this post, please use this code for a 10% discount at fibre: A Homespun Spa in Silver Spring, Maryland:
THAI
Code expires 15 April 2024.
*New clients, see the online scheduler for a code that never expires.