Mai Thai Retreat in Houston, TX: A Review

Mai Thai Retreat in Houston, Texas is fabulous for anyone looking to unwind and enjoy unique massage services. They just opened a new location near the Houston Heights and after having a stressful week, a massage was just what I needed. I was able to make an appointment for the same day which was impressive. Upon my arrival, I was asked to fill out a new client form that asked health questions and showed a picture of a human body so I could advise the massage therapist which areas she should avoid, concentrate on, and even which areas were ticklish. This was very helpful to both of us.

I had never had a hot stone massage before so I figured this was a good time to try one since they were offering a discount on their services in the new location. I had a one hour massage - a full hour of actual massage time, unlike most other places that only provide 50 minutes - that included the hot stone massage and Thai yoga massage for $60. Customers have to pay first before being escorted to their massage room.

The building looks small but there were a lot of massage rooms so they can accommodate many people at once. The room where I received my treatment had a double bed in it - yes, a full bed, not a massage table. I usually prefer a massage table so I can rest my head in the extension that attaches to it but somehow the bed with the ergonomically correct pillow made me relax so much that I almost fell asleep. The best part is I didn't even get any lines on my face from the pillow case like I normally do.

My massage therapist, Nicole, was wonderful. She was experienced and very accommodating. She started off the massage with a hot towel to relax my back muscles and she asked which pressure I prefer. When she reached an area that had a lot of tension, she asked if I wanted more pressure. Nicole was gentle yet firm with her touch, and she really concentrated on the areas that I had circled on the client intake form.

Then it came time for the hot stones and boy were they hot. I guess I should have known based on the name but I just wasn't prepared for just how much heat the stones would produce against my body. Hot stone massage uses deep penetrating heat from specialized stones and is supposed to help the function of the lymphatic and immune system, and enhance the body's self healing mechanisms

Hot stone massage therapy should take the client into deep states of relaxation, releasing stress and anxiety, detoxifying the body, and balancing your nervous system. I can't say I was completely relaxed with hot stones on my back but I did have a good night's sleep when I got home which was something I desperately needed.

A lot of oil was used during my massage and consequently one of the hot stones kept sliding off of my back. I was a bit concerned about the extreme heat on my sensitive skin and as suspected, I had a red mark on my lower back when I got home, but by the next morning it was gone.

After Nicole performed a body massage while I was on my stomach, she used hot towels for relaxation and to wipe off all of the oil so I didn't go home feeling greasy. The remainder of the massage was dry (no oil) where Nicole used her fingertips to apply gentle pressure in small circular motions on my scalp, legs, arms and feet while I was on my back. She then gave me sample of the Thai yoga massage that combined yoga-like stretching with gentle pressure to increase flexibility, relieve muscle tension, and enhance general well-being. Normally this is performed on a special mat on the floor but because it was just a sampling, it was performed on the massage bed.

The Thai yoga massage isn't for everyone so if you're not flexible I wouldn't recommend it. Fortunately I had been stretching regularly so I could handle it. When the massage wad done, Nicole gave me time to myself so I could relax and get dressed in private. Upon exiting the room, I was handed a bottle of Ozarka spring water - my favorite!

My massage experience at Mai Thai Retreat was one of the best I've ever had and I would highly recommend them. You can choose from the following services:Thai massage, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, herbal hot compress, body treatment, foot treatment, hand treatment, ear candling, facials, and a steam sauna.

Mai Thai Retreat is located at 1801 Durham, Suite 5, Houston, TX, 77007. Their phone number is (281) 888-1302 and their website is http://www.maithaimassagehouston.com. Mai Thai Retreat is open Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.