Thai Massage Synonyms | Variations and Differences

 Published: Jan 31, 2012 | Revised: Mar 5, 2023

Thai Massage Synonyms | Variations and Differences

Traditional Thai Yoga Massage. Thai Yoga. Traditional Thai Massage. Thai Yoga Massage. Thai Healing. Thai Healing Massage. Thai Healing Arts. Thai Traditional Healing. Thai Vedic Massage. Thai Bodywork. Thai Energy Work. Nuad Bo Rarn. Nuad Thai. Nuat Thai. Ancient Thai Massage. Ancient Massage. Integral Thai Massage. Classic Thai Massage. Thai Yoga Bodywork.

And let’s not forget our good old — Thai Massage!

It’s basically all the same thing. Well … same, same (and not so different). It’s Thai Massage. But why all these “exotic” names?

Click for more detailseBook | Click for details
eBook - Thai Healing Arts Reference Book

There are basically two main reasons why this happened. The first one is the association of Thai Massage with the sex industry. As we probably all know there is this notorious Happy Ending associated with Thai Massage. And, of course, serious therapists and practitioners in the West trying to make a respectable living out of Thai Massage are desperately trying to avoid this link-up.

The second reason is the “massage” word. Because Thai Massage is not only massage. It’s also Yoga. And energy work. And healing. And stretching. Bodywork. A complete workout. On the floor. On the mat.

Nevertheless, in Thailand it’s mostly called Thai Massage, or Nuad, Nuad Thai, or Nuad Bo’Rarn. Every Thai knows what it is about. No mix-up. Thai Massage with some sex (or the other way around) is one thing, Traditional Thai Massage another. Thai people know that Nuad Thai is more than just a massage and they know exactly where’s what, how’s what, and what’s what.

I, personally in formal conversations, prefer the term Thai Yoga Massage. Here in the West. Because, well, maybe because I just like the Yoga-aspect of Thai Massage. Or maybe because of the schools I studied with initially. Or maybe because of the West. I don’t know really.

But I’ll tell you a little secret though; among friends I call Thai Massage just Thai Massage. And not to be mistaken … I do it without “Happy Ending.”




Related Articles
More related articles in: Thai Massage
Newsletter Subscription

Receive occasional news about our new eBook and Video Workshop publications.