Lasting effects of a massage

[MLS]

Not sure where to post this, but it's got me thinking about what, if any, training gets given to the staff who work in the massage salons...
While in Bintabaht my husband and I went for a foot massage. We tried a different salon (which I shan't name) this time and ended up booking an hour's session rather than our usual thirty minutes. The first half-hour was fine - exactly what we expected. Then the two masseuses, who I have to say both bore a close resemblence to Biffa Bacon's mum, beckoned us to the beds by the window and proceeded to bash us to bits, to the point where my husband's massage culminated in her actually cracking his rib. I didn't suffer any injury but was in some pain and unable to breathe when she first sat on my back (!); she was at least three times my size and easily the weight of a baby elephant. They were nice, good-natured women, just a bit hefty and evidently crap at their jobs. We're not complaining, and we paid them (obviously not leaving a tip, though a parting suggestion of further training wouldn't have gone amiss), but the consequences could have been far more serious. I guess you could say more fool us for not checking out precisely what the massage entailed and not truncating the torture at the very first sign of excessive force, but what with language barriers and being a tad socially relaxed, we didn't. So, I thought it worth mentioning, if only as a light-hearted lesson for others, and if you have a favourite salon then you might as well stick with it; also don't be embarrassed to stop your masseur/masseuse if they start getting too carried away.

[dtaai-maai]

I have to disagree - a cracked rib is no laughing matter. Literally!
You're not complaining - why not??

How a foot massage can end in a cracked rib needs explaining.
An unqualified oil massage is one thing, but a real Thai massage needs a qualified and preferably experienced practitioner, and it sounds like that's what you ended up with.

Name and shame, I say. Unless they sell property, of course.

(Who is Biffa Bacon?)

[Homer]

(Who is Biffa Bacon?)

Don't know, but here is his dear mum

[Lung Per]

Not a happy end, I presume.

[dtaai-maai]

(Who is Biffa Bacon?)

Don't know, but here is his dear mum

An Aussie, I presume...?

We Brits prefer our women with a little imagination.

Andy Capp 1.jpg (41.38 KiB) Viewed 1724 times

[hhfarang]

Welcome to Thailand where a cook can be a chef just by saying so, a masseuse can open a business with no training, a driver can run a motorbike taxi or a tuk tuk with no special training, and generally anybody (Thai) can just do anything they want with no credentials at all.

I've seen plumbers who couldn't fix a simple leak, electricians who didn't know what grounding is, cement layers who didn't know it has to be vibrated to get out the air bubbles, etc., etc., etc.,

You get my drift. A person native to this country can claim to be anything and open any business without knowing anything about their chosen profession.

You're not in Kansas anymore!... and I've learned all this the hard way!

[littlebird]

Soi Givemebaht is not the place a professional trained masseur would work. Either way, the lady should aways ask if you want 'strong' or 'soft' massage and stop if it appears to be hurting.

[Coldmike]

Most Thai massagtes I've had hurt quite a bit, but that's what I want and if done right is always amazing. HH is right though, go with a recommendation if you can, otherwise look for a 'legit looking' place if that makes sense.

Also, I love Andy Capp and haven't seen it or a long time... Thanks

[charlesh]

hhf is right the Thais are the smartest people in the world who know it all! I would have thought if it was getting to broken rib time a little audible complaint may have been in order!

[Gus]

A foot massage usually consists of laying back in a reclining chair for about 45 minutes before sitting on the foot stool facing your chair.
The massage lady will then massage your back, shoulders, head before finishing with strong pats on the back, maybe that is when the cracked rib occured.
I hope it doesn't put you off having another massage.