By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | May 19, 2025

For Mother’s Day, my daughter gifted me a Thai massage—a sweet, thoughtful gesture I now wonder if it could have been a been a secret form of revenge. We arrived side-by-side, giggling nervously, unaware that within minutes, we’d both be twisted into human origami and clinging to our pride like it was the last breath in a yoga class.

The fun began with a pair of oversized cotton shorts adorned with bright yellow smiley faces. I looked like I’d escaped from a toddler sleepover, and I was ready for anything—until a small-but-mighty practitioner climbed onto my back like a Ride'em Cowboy and started riding me like a rodeo bull.

Thai massage isn’t your average spa day. It’s based on the idea that energy flows through your body along lines called sens. To release blockages, the practitioner uses their hands, thumbs, elbows, knees—and feet—to stretch, pull, rock, and fold you in every direction. They even sit on you (yes, sit!) to maneuver you into yoga-like poses and use their knees to squeeze your sides in just the right spot.

Every time the pressure lifted, I felt a wave of euphoria—like I’d been granted a brief reprieve from medieval torture. But during? Pure, silent suffering. My daughter later confessed she was in the same boat—but neither of us dared admit it. Sharp elbows dug deep into our muscles, knees pressed into the backs of our legs with the full weight of a determined practitioner. Generational pride runs deep when you're both too stubborn to tap out, even while being slowly pulled into different directions like a balloon animal.

Despite the giggles and gritted teeth, Thai massage has real benefits. It can reduce joint pain, improve flexibility, ease anxiety, and increase energy. It’s a full-body tune-up disguised as medieval torture with a smile. This is not the kind of massage that lets you drift off to dreamland with pan flute music in the background. No, you will feel it. You'll feel every tight muscle, every hidden knot, every joint that hasn’t moved since high school gym class.

You’ll discover tension in places you didn’t even know existed as your body is bent, stretched, and reassembled like a piece of IKEA furniture—without the manual. But somehow, through the deep breaths and occasional internal screaming, your body begins to let go. Your knots unwind, your spine elongates, and you leave feeling taller, looser, and strangely victorious.

Do yourself a favor: do a quick Yelp search for the top ten Thai massage places in your area. Just make sure your schedule’s clear, your pride is packed away, and your pants are stretchy. Because once you’ve survived one session, I guarantee—you’ll be back.

#Thai Massage Experience #Mother Daughter Moments #Funny Spa Story #Self Care Gone Wild Massage #Misadventures #Smiley Shorts Saga #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp:  +1 604 828 8788

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