Thai massage is increasingly being questioned by society regarding the quality of its services. What’s going on?

Thai people who has been following the news since yesterday may have come across the tragic story of a 41-year-old woman in Phetchabun Province. She had been experiencing a headache and decided to visit a massage parlor for relief. During the session, the masseuse performed neck manipulation and back twisting. Shortly afterward, the woman went into shock, lost consciousness, and was sent to the hospital, where she later passed away (??????? 41 ???????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????-??????? ?????????? : https://www.khaosod.co.th/special-stories/news_9584875)

According to the Phetchabun Provincial Health Office, the cause of death was a ruptured brain aneurysm. The woman was unaware of her underlying condition and had sought a massage simply to alleviate her headache. This incident occurred on January 2nd

The message I wish to convey from this incident can be divided into two parts: the perspective of the client and the perspective of the therapist. These address things both parties often overlook, are unaware of, or unknowingly disregard

For clients, many clients are unaware of the limitations, precautions, and contraindications associated with massage therapy. These are often related to underlying health conditions, such as:

? Having a fever

? High blood pressure

? Pregnancy

? Cancer

? A history of bone fractures or the presence of orthopedic implants

? Diabetes

? Use of certain medications, such as blood thinners

? Osteoporosis

? Fragile blood vessels

? Various skin conditions

Clients should be always informed of these contraindications and precautions before receiving a massage. It is crucial not to dismiss them as irrelevant or think that ’What’s the big deal? It’s just a massage’ without considering the potential risks

The second part concerns the service providers. Let me emphasize for the hundredth time: Thai massage for health promotion cannot be used to treat or cure diseases under any circumstances, regardless of how many decades of experience the therapist may have. Doing so would constitute unauthorized medical treatment. Furthermore, health establishments are prohibited from advertising or claiming that they can provide medical treatments

Massage therapists must always remember that clients may not be aware of these legal and professional boundaries, but it is the responsibility of the therapist to understand the scope of their practice. They must be aware of contraindications and precautions, know their professional limitations, and have the courage to refuse any request that exceeds their scope of practice or capabilities. Relying solely on extensive experience is not sufficient, as unexpected incidents can occur at any time

Therapists who violate these principles may face legal consequences under the Health Establishment Act enforced by the Department of Health Service Support, as well as charges brought by professional medical councils. These violations carry penalties, including fines up to 100,000 baht and/or imprisonment for up to 5 years

Since late last year, there have been several consecutive reports of deaths coinciding with massage sessions, raising questions within society about the quality and qualifications of massage service providers. Regardless of whether the massages directly caused these incidents, these occurrences have sparked significant public concern. Many massage therapists and business operators in the industry might not be aware that while the government is promoting an increase in the number of therapists to meet market demand, consumer protection agencies and regulatory bodies are simultaneously advocating for massage therapist licenses to have a 5-year validity period instead of the current lifetime validity. Upon license expiration, therapists would be required to attend training sessions to update their knowledge, including regulations, prohibited practices, and safety precautions, fostering greater awareness and caution in their profession

As a licensed medical professional who incorporates massage into patient care, I hope to see the image of Thai massage elevated to one of high quality, encompassing both therapeutic massage and wellness massage. It should not only focus on the skill of the therapist or the luxury standards emphasized by business operators. Equally important is prioritizing safety. Massage service providers must always observe and assess clients to ensure no contraindications for treatment exist. Additionally, they must continually educate themselves about the unique and complex legal framework governing the massage profession in Thailand. This understanding is critical for upholding professionalism and protecting both therapists and clients in this field