Almost like describing water to someone who’s never experienced it before, traditional Thai bodywork is too unique for words to do it justice.

Surely, to describe this modality requires some baseline to a “conventional” or more common massage experience. Key buzzwords I often use to differentiate a Thai massage by comparison to a more classic massage experience are: holistic, mobile-forward (passive range of motion and facilitated stretches involved), deep tissue with an Eastern twist including lots of compression, fully clothed, takes place on a floor mat, and usually lasts longer than the average Western massage (2-3+ hours).

The treatment itself takes place on a floor mat, with the client fully-clothed, using various sized cushions for bolstering and supporting the client’s body. Ordinarily, oils are not used. Rather than the heavily lubricated Swedish strokes common to relaxation spa massage, during a traditional Thai treatment muscular tissues are compressed, stretched, pulled, and jostled as needed by a trained Thai bodywork practitioner. Subtle to more intensive pressure can be applied along energetic sen lines (similar to meridians in TCM) to balance energetic flow of the body and restore vitality. Assisted stretches, bends, and twisting help to lengthen regions of the body in need of releasing muscular tension and improve joint and tendon elasticity.

During the course of a Thai massage treatment, the client’s body will naturally synchronize with the slower and mindful movements performed during the session invoking a deep state of relaxation. This is one reason why traditionally Thai massage can range from 90-minute upwards to 4-hours in length.

To ensure full range mobility during a Thai massage wear, please arrive wearing or bring along with you a clean set of loose-fitting or stretchy clothing.

You will remain fully dressed for the duration of your treatment with additional blankets available for added warmth and comfort.

When receiving bodywork of any kind, it’s important to realize therapy performed by a practitioner either without adequate training, a proper intake process, or good two-way communication can and often times will result in pain, bruising, strains, and even exacerbate a pre-existing injury.

Finding a massage therapist and the modality you trust, respect, and connect well with can make all the difference in the quality of therapy you receive, especially for those seeking more regular treatment sessions. Although Thai massage involves deeper and more engaging work, it is no exception – it should never be painful. If you’ve received deep tissue massage in the past and tend to favor this approach, then traditional Thai bodywork may just be right for you!

Massage should be therapeutic, period. Once our pain receptors are triggered and fire up, the body’s sympathetic nervous system instinctively engages creating a guarding effect as a way protect itself (you!). This guarding does not serve the client but actually reinforces habitual holding patterns held in the muscles as the body rejects the therapist’s touch (however well-intentioned) thereby defeating the purpose of massage therapy.

When meeting with new clients, I’ll introduce the therapeutic gauge (scale 1-10) used as a tool in massage therapy between client and therapist to communicate a client’s personalized preference for pressure and most importantly their therapeutic threshold. This, in tandem with trust and healthy communication ensures the practitioner is massaging in a safe and comfortable range. At Thai Dai Massage, know your therapist is constantly listening and observing the breath and body and will adapt his touch accordingly. 

Communicate any preexisting injuries and needs with the practitioner and above all else, *breathe*.

Use the occasion to tune inward and observe the sensations of the body, accept what you find, and release it. These are the three steps of mindfulness. This may sound simple in concept, but certainly not easy in practice. To be passive and just receive can prove to be more challenging than most would think.

Short answer: One of our missions at Thai Dai is to keep bodywork care as accessible as possible to the Community. With access being the priority, tipping at Thai Dai is never expected and always appreciated, whatever the amount may be. As a sidenote, there are business fees involved with accepting debit/credit card payments as well as Venmo payments. On the signature page after a transaction, clients will see a suggested 4% tip option to cover these fees imposed on to the business. Although helpful, this too is not required or expected.

Longer answer: Current market rates for traditional Thai massage begin at $95 for 60 minutes of treatment, plus gratuity. We recognize the financial barrier most people face when seeking bodywork they need to live free of chronic aches or tension, especially outside of insurance coverage. We also recognize that expectations of paying an additional gratuity could prevent some from committing to a first time visit, let alone more frequent visits. Since its inception, Thai Dai has been open and honest in its preference to see clients book more regularly paying the flat rate, than it would see the occasional client spending outside their means for service and gratuity. We full-heartedly believe in the healing capacity of massage therapy and feel that the field deserves a place in the ranks of general healthcare. Continue reading for more insight into this conversation on ‘tipping’.

In asking this you enter a contentious topic as there are primarily two major camps. One views massage and bodywork as another form of service, much like those offered by a florist who arranges a beautiful bouquet tailored to your liking, or the concierge who coordinates your taxi ride pick up to the airport after visiting a new city. As such, the concept of giving and receiving a tip is expected or perhaps not expected but graciously accepted - the standard held by this camp will usually say anywhere between 10-20% of the value of the service is appropriate. Alternatively, there are those who hold the position that massage and bodywork is a form of healthcare treatment and actively advocate for massage therapy as healthcare. The services offered by a bodyworker or licensed massage therapist can be compared to cleaning services performed by your dental hygienist or the spinal adjustment you may receive from your local chiropractor. Each day we will see more and more evidence to bring the field of massage therapy and its practitioners into the fold treated and respected as any allied healthcare professional. Until a formal announcement can be made by the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists saying one way or another, the conversation will continue to roil allowing for practitioners and the public to wade in the gray as they come to their own conclusions.

Unfortunately, not at this time. As Thai Dai Massage opens its doors to the community for the first time cash, credit/debit cards, and Venmo are all acceptable methods of payment. After six months time, the studio will re-evaluate and consider the option of accepting insurance if it means reaching more members of our community who could benefit from the traditional bodywork we offer. 

More information on what cards can be accepted by Square readers can be found here.

Please try to arrive ~10 minutes early for your appointment. Not only is it generally good practice to anticipate traffic or other miscellaneous life happenings, but having those few moments to breathe, re-center, and compose yourself before a session can set the right tone for your treatment session.

As a courtesy we do ask that you contact us immediately, by phone or by text message (not e-mail) if you suspect you are going to be late.

Our goal at Thai Dai Massage is to provide reasonable and fair business practices. If you do arrive after your scheduled appointment, you can still receive a full treatment session if there are no appointments scheduled immediately after your allotted time. However, if a session is scheduled to start immediately after your massage your massage appointment will end at the originally scheduled time. Rest assured we will offer you as much grace and flexibility as we can afford so long as it does not affect another client’s reserved time.

Your personal finances, including your household income level is your business. We also recognize that someone’s annual income does not always accurately depict an individual’s financial situation. This is why here at Thai Dai Massage we rely on the Honor Code trusting that our clients to determine what they are able to afford for bodywork. It is our hope, people will realize the value of receiving massage therapy while our PWYC model will encourage people to receive more massage and bodywork treatment!

We’ve decided on utilizing this payment structure by offering deep discounts to attract those who can’t afford the conventional Portland massage rates ($95/hour) but who may need or want the bodywork. With that said, we respectfully ask that you pay what you truly can as this is unprecedented in professional massage and we hope to sustain this business model.

The phonetic term ‘Dai’ or ‘dâai’ in Thai language translates to ‘can’ in english. Thooe tham dâi (เธอทำได้!) translates to ‘You can do it!'. This name suggests what ever imbalances, aches, tensions, or need a person may have for bodywork, it can be treated with traditional Thai massage. The healing touch you’ll experience with Thai will be both unique and above all else, effective. Secondary, Thai Dai is a playful play on words incorporating the practitioners respect and appreciation for tie-dye, which explains the banner art you’ll find navigating the Thai Dai Massage website. If you didn’t know, now you know :)

Yes. Be sure to avoid heavy meals, or better yet avoid eating altogether (1 - 2 hours) prior to your scheduled session. In an effort to prevent from spreading a virus and allowing the body to make a proper recovery, never come in for treatment if you are feeling unwell, and possibly contagious. Never consume alcohol or drugs before receiving massage as it can inhibit pain receptors making it unclear for the practitioner to know how much pressure is appropriate to apply and thereby unsafe to receive treatment.  Massage is contraindicated for anyone under the influence of intoxicants and you will be required to reschedule your massage should your therapist finds you are unfit for bodywork*.

Secondly, prior to your massage session it is important to inform your practitioner of any past injuries or surgeries, however recent. If you are still experiencing pain, achiness, or soreness it is better safe to share that knowledge with your therapist. Also, if there are general areas or regions of the body you’d rather not be touched during the massage, let Eric know ahead of time and. your boundaries will of course, be respected. As a friendly reminder, your treatment and anything discussed will remain completely confidential.

Lastly, as a courtesy allergy alert: the Thai Dai Healing Space is a home studio also serving as a home to Eric, your Thai practitioner. Eric lives with his family — including one loving wife and their equally lovely kitty, Sokka — where he has dedicated a studio space to practice the traditional Thai healing arts on members of his community. If you have a history of reacting poorly around cats and choose to muscle through the sniffles or tears, please consider taking allergy medicine 30-minutes before arriving for your session.

*if you are refused Thai bodywork services due to being under the influence and asked to reschedule you will forfeit half of the value of your service for the time reserved for your appointment.