Thai massage is a massage you receive fully clothed, on a futon on the floor, combining rhythmic pressure with stretches your massage practitioner does for you. People trying it for the first time tend to describe it the same way: like a yoga session where you do nothing at all. In this guide we explain what it is, where it comes from, what a session is like step by step and how it feels.
What is Thai massage?
In Thailand it is called Nuad Thai or Nuad Bo-Rarn, which roughly means "ancient massage". It is a traditional hands-on practice that blends three things: pressure with the hands, forearms, elbows and knees; assisted stretches reminiscent of yoga postures; and a slow, repetitive rhythm that helps you switch off.
In 2019 UNESCO added Nuad Thai to its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as part of the Thai cultural tradition passed on from teachers to students.
Where it comes from
Tradition attributes its origin to Jivaka Kumarabhacca, a figure from Buddhist texts honoured in Thailand as the father of this practice. What we now know as Thai massage took shape over centuries with influences from India, China and South-East Asia, and was preserved above all in temples. At Wat Pho temple in Bangkok you can still see inscriptions and figures showing the positions and pathways of the massage.
That tradition describes the body as crossed by lines called Sen, which guide the order and direction of the pressure. If you are curious about this side of it, we explain it calmly in Thai massage and the Sen channels.
What a Thai massage session is like
Thai massage is unlike any other massage, so it helps to know what to expect:
- You stay dressed. You never undress. Comfortable, stretchy clothes work best: long trousers and a T-shirt with sleeves, so you can bend your knees and hips freely.
- It happens on the floor, on a futon. Being at your level lets the practitioner use their body weight instead of force, and move around you so the stretches have room.
- No oil. The pressure is applied over your clothes.
- It goes from feet to head. The traditional sequence starts at the feet and moves up through the legs, hips, arms and back to the neck and head, at a slow, repetitive pace.
- You stretch without doing anything. Your practitioner moves your body for you. Your only job is to let go, and to say so if anything feels uncomfortable.
- It ends with a few minutes of stillness. Get up slowly: it is common to feel a little dazed from being so relaxed.
A session usually lasts between 50 and 80 minutes. Because of its rhythm, many people experience it as a quiet dance between the giver and the receiver.
How it feels: the benefits people notice most
Thai massage is a wellness practice, not a treatment. What people describe are sensations, and these are the most common:
- A looser body. The assisted stretches leave a feeling of greater mobility and range, especially in the hips, back and shoulders.
- The mind quietens. The repetitive rhythm of the pressure means that after a few minutes the mental noise drops. Many compare it to leaving a yoga class or a moment of meditation.
- Lightness that lasts. It is common to feel the body more open and lighter for two or three days after the session.
- More body awareness. Moving without effort, you notice where you are stiffer and where you are looser.
Every body is different, and so is every day, so the session adapts to how you arrive and there is no level to reach.
How it differs from other massages
| Thai | Relaxing | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Futon on the floor | Massage table |
| Clothing | Dressed, comfortable clothes | Underwear on, under a towel |
| Oil | No | Yes |
| Main element | Rhythmic pressure and stretches | Slow, enveloping strokes |
| How you leave | Body open and awake | Calm and deeply rested |
If what you want is mainly calm and you do not fancy stretches, the relaxing massage is a better fit. To see every option, here are our massages in Granada.
Who is it for?
You do not need to be flexible or to have done yoga before. It is especially popular with people who spend many hours sitting, people who do sport and want a feeling of mobility, and people who get bored in a traditional massage and prefer something more active.
Before booking, check with a healthcare professional if you are pregnant, have a recent injury or operation, or any health condition. And during the session, always speak up if something is not comfortable: your body sets the limit.
How often, and with whom?
Some people book it now and then and others make it part of their routine. We go into detail in how often to get a Thai massage. And if you want to share it, it can also be done as a couple.
Thai massage in Granada
At Quiroesencia we give Thai massage at our centre at Calle San Jerónimo 48, five minutes from the Cathedral: on a futon, in comfortable clothes and without oil. A 50-minute session costs €60 and an 80-minute session €90. You will find every detail and online booking on our Thai massage in Granada page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Thai massage hurt?
It does not have to. The pressure can be firm, but it is adjusted to what feels comfortable, and the stretches only go as far as your body is at ease. If something bothers you, say so and it changes.
Do I have to undress?
No. Thai massage is received fully clothed from start to finish, and without oil.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, stretchy clothes: ideally long trousers and a T-shirt with sleeves. Avoid jeans and skirts, as you need to bend your knees and hips freely.
Do I need to be flexible?
No. The practitioner does the stretches for you and adapts them to your body. Your only job is to let go.
How long is a session?
Usually between 50 and 80 minutes. At Quiroesencia we offer 50-minute (€60) and 80-minute (€90) sessions.
Related articles
- Thai massage in Granada — book your session
- Thai massage and the Sen channels
- Thai massage and emotions
- How often should you get a Thai massage?
- Why try Thai couples massage?
The Thai massage we offer at Quiroesencia is a wellness and relaxation practice. It is not healthcare and never replaces the advice, assessment or care of a qualified healthcare professional.
