Thai Herbal Compress Massage
Cold weather, deep tension, and anyone who feels the cold in their shoulders
A herbal compress is a bundle of Thai herbs wrapped in raw muslin and tied with cotton string. Lemongrass, kaffir lime, turmeric, galangal and camphor go into it. The bundles are steamed until they are hot and fragrant, then pressed, rolled and held against the body.
The heat carries the herbs into the skin and lets the muscle soften before any real pressure is applied, so the work goes deeper with less effort. It is an old treatment, it smells extraordinary, and it is the one clients tend to describe rather than just recommend.
What happens
- A short chat about where you are holding tension and how much heat you like.
- Warm oil massage first, to bring the surface muscle down.
- The compresses come out of the steamer and are tested against Nida's own forearm before they touch you.
- Pressing, rolling and holding through the back, shoulders, legs and arms, with the bundles reheated as they cool.
- You keep the scent on your skin for the rest of the day. Have a shower in the evening, not straight after.
