Massage Therapy · Koh Samui

Deep Tissue & Medical Massage in Koh Samui

This is massage with a clinical purpose. At Body Tune Up in Bophut we use deep tissue and medical massage to treat specific pain problems (the stiff neck, the low back that seizes up, the shoulder that won't let you sleep) and not just to help you relax for an hour.

Educated, science-based, results-driven. Every session starts by working out what is actually driving your pain, and the hands-on work is aimed at that.

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Deep tissue massage on the back at Body Tune Up, Bophut

Understanding it

What is medical massage?

Deep tissue massage works slowly and precisely into the deeper layers of muscle and fascia to release long-held tension, restore glide between tissues and reduce pain. Medical massage takes that one step further: the work is outcome-based, guided by assessment and aimed at a specific condition rather than a general full-body routine.

In practice, that means the therapist might spend most of the session on your hip and glute to relieve pain you feel in your low back, because that is where the problem is coming from.

How it shows up

What we treat with medical massage

  • Neck, shoulder & upper back pain

    Desk posture, phone neck, long-haul flights and tension headaches. We release the overworking tissue and restore movement through the upper spine.

  • Low back & hip pain

    Mechanical low back pain, stiff hips, piriformis tension and the "stuck" feeling after sitting or traveling.

  • Nerve-type pain

    Sciatic-style buttock and leg pain driven by muscular tightness, as well as tingling down the arm linked to neck and shoulder tension.

  • Chronic tension & old injuries

    Areas that have been tight for years, scar tissue, and the patterns left behind after an injury that healed but never moved normally again.

The real cause

Why pain keeps coming back

Tight muscles are rarely the root problem. Most of the time a muscle is tight because it is working overtime to cover for another muscle that has switched off, a joint that has lost motion or a breathing pattern that keeps the neck and shoulders permanently switched on.

Massage the tight muscle and it relaxes. Leave the reason it was tight and it comes right back. That's why our deep tissue work is built on assessment, and why it connects directly to everything else we do at Body Tune Up: NeuroKinetic Therapy® testing, physiotherapy and corrective exercise when you need them.

Our method

How we treat pain with medical massage

  1. Assessment

    We take your history, look at posture and movement, and test the areas involved. We are looking for the chain of cause and effect, not just the spot that hurts.

  2. Hands-on treatment

    Slow, specific deep tissue release, trigger point therapy, myofascial techniques and joint mobilization, focused on the tissue driving your pain.

  3. Carry-over

    Simple movement or activation drills to lock in the change, plus clear advice on posture, sleep position and load. If your case needs physiotherapy or NeuroKinetic Therapy®, we will tell you and point you to the right service in the facility.

Ael, sports and medical massage therapist

Your therapist

Ael — Sports & Medical Massage Therapist

Ael is our specialist in deep tissue and medical massage. She works with deep tissue release, trigger point therapy, myofascial work and sports-specific mobilization, and she has a gift for finding the exact spot that has been driving someone's pain for months. She speaks fluent English and treats a wide mix of clients, from office workers and hotel staff to divers and competitive athletes.

For more complex orthopedic cases, Tanny, our physiotherapist, also provides orthopedic massage as part of her treatment plans.

Your visit

What to expect

Your first session includes a short assessment, so allow a few extra minutes. Sessions run 60, 90 or 120 minutes. Wear comfortable clothing. Deep tissue work is firm and specific, but it should never be something you have to brace against. We check in on pressure throughout.

Some soreness for 24 to 48 hours afterwards is normal, much like after a hard workout. Drink water, keep moving gently and do the drills we give you. Most clients feel a clear change after the first session. Long-standing problems usually need a short series to hold.

Pricing

Deep tissue massage pricing

  • Single session, 60 minutes฿1,200
  • 90-minute session฿1,800
  • 120-minute session฿2,400
  • Package of 10 × 1-hour sessions฿11,000

Prices in Thai Baht (THB). Packages are valid for 6 months and are non-transferable and non-refundable.

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Related conditions & services

FAQ

Deep Tissue / Medical Massage — common questions

What's the difference between deep tissue massage and medical massage?

Deep tissue describes the technique: slow, firm work into deeper layers. Medical massage describes the purpose: assessment-led treatment aimed at a specific condition. At Body Tune Up, our deep tissue sessions are medical massage by default.

Does deep tissue massage have to hurt to work?

No. Some tender areas are expected, but pain that makes you tense up works against the treatment. We work at the deepest level your body will accept, not beyond it.

Is it safe if I have a disc problem or sciatica?

In most cases, yes. We adjust position and technique to your symptoms. If anything in your history suggests you need a medical opinion first, we will tell you. For red-flag symptoms such as loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle numbness or rapidly worsening leg weakness, go straight to hospital.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients feel meaningful relief after one or two sessions. Chronic or long-standing issues usually need a short series, combined with the exercises we give you. We don't lock anyone into a fixed number.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

No. You can book directly.

I had surgery or an injury a while ago. Can medical massage help?

Often, yes. Scar tissue and the compensations left behind after an injury respond well to targeted manual therapy, especially when combined with physiotherapy.

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