Thai Massage Benefits: What Nuad Thai May Help With

Traditional Thai massage, called Nuad Thai, is a fully clothed massage done on a floor mat, using pressure from the hands, thumbs, elbows, knees and feet together with assisted stretches. Many guests find it may help with stiff muscles, tight hips and shoulders, and stress, and that they sleep better afterwards. It is not a cure for anything, but it is one of the oldest and most loved ways to look after a tired body in Thailand.

We practise it every day at our shop in Chang Phueak, Chiang Mai, so this is what we tell guests who ask what it is and why people come back for it.

What Nuad Thai actually is

Nuad Thai is pressed and stretched, not stroked. There is no oil. You lie on a mat on the floor in loose clothes, and the therapist works through your body from the feet up, pressing along lines in the muscles and moving your legs, arms and back into gentle stretches.

The floor mat matters. It lets the therapist use their own body weight to press slowly and steadily, and to move you into positions that would not be possible on a narrow table. You get the stretch without doing the work.

In Thai tradition, the body is crossed by energy lines called sen. The aim of the massage is to clear blockages along these lines and bring the body back into balance. You do not need to believe in sen to enjoy it: most guests simply feel looser and calmer afterwards.

A short history

Thai tradition names Jivaka Komarabhacca, known in Thailand as the "Father Doctor", as the founder of Thai medicine. He is remembered as the personal physician of the Buddha, and many therapists still say a short prayer to him before they begin.

During the reign of King Rama III in Bangkok, scholars carved medical knowledge into stone plaques at Wat Pho temple, including diagrams of the body showing massage points. Those plaques are still there today and are part of UNESCO's Memory of the World register.

In December 2019, UNESCO added "Nuad Thai, traditional Thai massage" to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The listing describes it as part of the art, science and culture of traditional Thai healthcare, using the hands, elbows, knees and feet, together with heated herbal compresses. You can read the decision on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage website.

Here in the north we practise in the Lanna style. In our experience it tends to be slow and rhythmic, with plenty of stretching.

What Thai massage may help with

We are massage therapists, not doctors, so we talk about what guests tell us rather than make medical promises. These are the things people most often say they feel better about:

Stiff back, neck and shoulders, especially after long flights, bus rides or days at a laptop.
Tight hips and hamstrings, which the stretching works on directly.
Tired legs after a day of walking around temples or markets.
Stress and a busy mind. The slow rhythm is calming, and many guests drift off.
Sleep. A lot of people tell us they sleep deeply the night after a massage.
Feeling more flexible. Many guests find they can move a little more freely for a day or two.

The effect is usually strongest straight after the massage. Regular sessions, for example once a week during a long stay, are what many of our regular guests choose.

Is it painful?

It should not be. Thai massage can be firm, and some points feel strong, but good pressure is something you can relax into. Our therapists check the pressure with you during the massage, and you can ask for softer or stronger at any time. If a stretch feels like too much, just say so.

A little tenderness the next day can happen, especially if it was your first Thai massage or you asked for strong pressure. Drinking water and a gentle walk usually help. We serve water after every massage for this reason.

Who should check with a doctor first

Please see a doctor before booking if you have an injury, are pregnant, have had recent surgery, or have blood-pressure problems. Tell your therapist about anything like this before you start, so they can adjust or avoid certain areas.

How long to book

1 hour (350 THB) is a good introduction and covers the whole body at a steady pace.
1.5 hours (500 THB) gives more time on problem areas like the back and shoulders.
2 hours (700 THB) is the classic full Thai massage, unhurried, with time for every stretch.

You can see all our treatments and prices on the Thai massage page or the full services list. If you would rather not leave your room, we also offer hotel and condo massage anywhere in the city.

One guest, James F., wrote in a Google review: "This is the best Thai massage in Chiang Mai. I am a local and have been to all the shops." We take that as something to live up to every day.

If you would like to try Nuad Thai the Lanna way, you can book your massage here.