Asian Massage

Thai Massage is one form of Asian massage that takes place clothed on a thin futon mat. The therapist uses her whole body.

Photo by Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires

Definition: Asian massage is any massage style that uses techniques developed in Asian countries. Records show that massage was practiced in China as part of health care as early as 3,000 B.C.

Today the major types of Asian massage are amma and tui-na from China, shiatsu from Japan, and Thai massage from Thailand. Some people believe reflexology is a form of Asian massage, but in fact it was developed in America in the early 20th century.

Asian massage is also sometimes a code word for massage that has a "happy ending".

The easiest place to get Asian massage is in cities that have large Asian communities like New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, where spas are run and/or staffed by Asian therapists. Asian massage tends to be more vigorous than Western massage. It can "hurt so good" and you often feel results from one session.

Korean spas, frequently found in the same urban centers, are another good place to get good Asian massage.