Individuals who have not received Thai massage often wonder if the practice is painful. As with any type of massage or bodywork, your practitioner will talk with you about your health history, specific areas of concern you may have such as injuries, illnesses, and/or other health conditions, and what you hope to achieve during the session. Because every person is different, it is not beneficial to say either “yes, it will be painful,” or “no, there will be no pain at all.” Anytime a body practitioner works with sore or tender muscles, there may be varying levels of discomfort or pain, especially when targeting problem areas where muscle knots, muscle tension, and ache are present. But this is normal. Keep in mind that your practitioner will be attuned to your body while also listening to your feedback throughout the entire duration of your Thai massage. Be sure to communicate with your practitioner about adjusting pressure and let them know when you feel discomfort during stretches and poses.