Thai massage is an experience that straddles the line between therapeutic relief and pain. I have had two thai massages - both deliciously painful. Thai massage can best be described as yoga for lazy people with a sadistic streak.
The first was in Bangkok. After residing through flooded streets in a tropical downpour, I arrived at the massage palor and was greeted with herbal tea an handed pajamas to change in to. I couldn't figure out the pants and the masseuse had to help me (slightly embarrassing). In this place, the massage tables / beds are set up in rows in large rooms... Like in a hospital emergency room. You don't get a private room as in the US. Everone can witness you as your joints pop and snap and you grimace and moan. Fortunately, Shelly and I were the only ones receiving massages.
The masseuse was a small Thai woman (maybe two inches taller than me and 10 pounds heavier), but freakishly strong. It felt lineage was kneading apart each fibre of muscle! Each time I gasped, she giggled and promised to be softer. Normally, her routine involves walking on the "victims" back and upper legs. She mercifully skipped that and continued to pound away by hand. My favorite part is when the work on your hips and IT band. Others may find that a but too personal since it involves kneading your flutes and lifting your leg over their head and then across your body. But for a runner, it's divine! They also twist and arch your back to make it snap and pop like they are twisting bubble wrap. I think I was three inches taller after. But, I cannot lie, I was incredibly sore the next day. It hurt so good!
Since Shelly was on the bed next to me, I could hear (and at times see him) being tortured (this is how I knew that the masseuses walk on your back as part of the tortuous treatment). I could hear his joints popping, to which his masseuse said "oops" or "uhoh" and giggled. At the end he could reach down and touch his toes, which he hasn't been able to since he was a kid. But, he was also limping noticeably!
Massage torture: Part 2!
Our hotel in Chiang Mai offered a free massage for each guest. I jumped at the opportunity. Shelly wimped out and opted for a foot massage. The concierge asked if I preferred to have my massage by the pool or in my room. There was no way I was getting my torture massage in public! This massage was less intense but still deliciously painful. And yes, I was sore for the next 2 day!
PS: I had developed tendinitis in my hip flexor before I left. Yesterday, I ran 5 miles without pain. I think I am cured. I wonder if I can write some of my travel expenses off on my taxes as medical expenses...
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