Thai Massage Add-On Services
Every great massage can become an extraordinary one with our add-on enhancements. You can personalize ancient therapeutic traditions with heat, herbs, aromatic oils, and stones for deeper results.
Add-on services start at just $15!
Book Online or Call (210) 236-5433
Why Add-Ons Make a Difference
More Than a Massage Therapy - It's A Fully Personalized Treatment
At Ruen Thai Massage & Spa of San Antonio, TX we understand that no two bodies need the same thing. Our add-on services are not up-sells. They are therapeutic tools that allow your licensed therapist to address your specific needs more completely. Whether you need to release chronic tension in tight muscles, reduce stress, or simply want to restore balance at a deeper level, there's an add-on service that will help you reach your goals.
Each of these enhancements has been part of Thai massage healing traditions for centuries. They work in harmony with the Thai massage techniques your therapist is already using, amplifying the benefits across your muscles, joints, nervous system, and skin.
Thai Herbal Hot Compress
Ancient herbal heat therapy that's the most powerful add-on we offer.
What It Is
A Thai Herbal Hot Compress, known in Thailand as luk pra kob, is a tightly wrapped muslin bundle filled with a blend of traditional Thai herbs including lemongrass, kaffir lime, galangal, ginger, turmeric, plai root, and camphor. The bundle is steamed until hot, then pressed and rolled over the body by your therapist in a rhythmic, deliberate sequence.
The heat drives the therapeutic compounds deep into the muscle tissue and joints, while the natural aromas create a deeply immersive sensory experience. This technique has been central to Thai healing practice for over 200 years and remains one of the most effective natural treatments for muscle pain and tension.
The Herbal Difference
The specific herbs used in the compress each bring unique properties. Together they create a synergistic healing effect that neither heat nor aromatherapy alone can match.
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Lemongrass calms inflammation and lifts the spirit.
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Ginger and galangal generate warmth and stimulate circulation.
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Turmeric reduces swelling.
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Kaffir lime is antibacterial and deeply aromatic.
Benefits of Adding Thai Hot Herbal Compress to a Thai Massage
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Penetrating heat relaxes deep layers of muscle that hands alone often cannot reach.
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Reduces inflammation in overworked or chronically tense muscles and joints.
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Stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation throughout the treated area.
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Natural herbal aromas promote stress relief and emotional calm through the senses.
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Eases stiffness associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and repetitive strain.
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Turmeric and lemongrass compounds nourish and soften skin with each application.
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Supports the body's natural detoxification through improved lymph flow.
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Enhances the effectiveness of any Thai stretching or acupressure work that follows.
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Creates a deeper state of relaxation than massage alone.
Pairs exceptionally well with:
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Traditional Thai Massage
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Thai Combination
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Deep Tissue
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Sports Massage
Aromatherapy
Engage the senses and calm the mind before your bodywork begins.
What It Is
Aromatherapy adds therapeutic-grade essential oils to your massage environment through a diffuser, creating a gentle, continuous aromatic presence throughout your entire session. The oils are selected for their healing properties, not simply for scent. They work through your olfactory system to directly influence your nervous system and emotional state.
Unlike aroma massage oil, which is applied to the skin, aromatherapy works through inhalation. This means it pairs with any type of massage, including traditional Thai massage, which is performed fully clothed. The effect is subtle but measurable: most clients notice they settle into relaxation noticeably faster when the room is scented with the right aromatherapy blend.
Common Scent Options
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Lavender promotes deep relaxation and eases anxiety.
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Eucalyptus clears the mind and supports breathing.
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Peppermint relieves tension headaches and provides an invigorating lift.
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Lemongrass, a hallmark of traditional Thai healing, uplifts mood and reduces inflammation.
Benefits of Adding Aromatherapy to a Thai Massage
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Reduces anxiety and mental stress within minutes of entering the room through direct nervous system response.
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Accelerates the transition from a stimulated, stressed state into deep relaxation.
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Specific oils (lavender, chamomile) can lower cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone.
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Eucalyptus and peppermint oils support clearer breathing during the session.
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Enhances mood and emotional well-being that can persist for hours after the massage ends.
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Helps quiet mental chatter, making it easier to be fully present during the session.
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Lemongrass and citrus blends create an uplifting energy that complements post-massage rejuvenation.
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Research supports aromatherapy's role in reducing blood pressure and heart rate during relaxation.
Pairs exceptionally well with:
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Traditional Thai
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Thai Swedish
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Prenatal
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Lymphatic Drainage
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Scalp Massage
Thai Aroma Massage Oil
Nourish the skin while deepening the therapeutic effect of every stroke.
What It Is
Thai Aroma Massage Oil takes the benefits of traditional aromatherapy one step further by applying a blend of therapeutic aromatic oils directly to your skin during the massage. Unlike standard massage oil, these blends are formulated with essential oils chosen for both their skin benefits and their aromatic properties.
The oil allows your therapist's hands to glide more smoothly over the skin, enabling longer, more fluid strokes that work into the surface layers of the muscle more effectively. At the same time, the skin absorbs the oil's botanical compounds throughout the session, delivering nourishment and scent therapy simultaneously. The result is a massage that is richer in texture, more deeply relaxing, and leaves your skin visibly softer.
How It Changes the Experience
Thai aroma oil is different from other oils used with Swedish massage. The essential oil compounds in the blend interact with your body through both absorption and scent, making the therapeutic impact multidimensional. The warmth of your skin activates the aromatic compounds throughout the session as your therapist works.
Benefits of Adding Aroma Massage Oil to Your Session
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Deeply moisturizes and nourishes skin, leaving it soft and hydrated after the session.
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Enables smoother, more fluid therapeutic strokes along the muscles and fascia.
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Essential oil compounds absorb through the skin for ongoing therapeutic benefit beyond the session.
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Aromatic properties provide simultaneous inhalation therapy throughout the massage.
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The oil's warmth helps relax surface muscle tension before deeper pressure is applied.
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Reduces friction-related skin sensitivity during extended massage sessions.
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Certain oils (jojoba, sweet almond, argan) carry antioxidant properties that benefit skin health.
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Elevates the sensory dimension of the massage, enhancing the overall feeling of luxury and self-care.
Pairs exceptionally well with:
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Thai Swedish
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Thai Combination
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Relaxation Massage
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Couples Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Melt away tension with therapeutic volcanic heat applied directly to the body.
What It Is
Hot stone therapy uses smooth, flat basalt stones. It's a type of volcanic rock that retains heat exceptionally well when heated to a precise therapeutic temperature. Your skilled therapist places the stones on key points along the body (typically the spine, shoulders, palms, and between the toes) and may also use them as an extension of their hands to massage the muscles directly.
The stones deliver steady, consistent heat that penetrates far more deeply into muscle tissue than manual techniques alone. This sustained warmth signals the nervous system to release held tension, allowing your therapist to access deeper layers of muscle with much less pressure than would otherwise be required. People who typically find deep tissue massage too intense or already have chronic pain often find that hot stone therapy allows them to receive deeper work more comfortably.
Why Basalt Stones
Basalt is used specifically because of its dense, fine-grained structure, which heats evenly, holds temperature for an extended time, and releases heat gradually rather than in sudden bursts. The smooth, rounded surface also makes it ideal for gliding over the skin without discomfort.
Benefits of Adding Hot Stones to a Thai Massage
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Heat penetrates 3–4 centimeters into muscle tissue, unlocking tension that hands alone often cannot release.
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Significantly expands blood vessels in the treated area, dramatically boosting blood flow to improve circulation.
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Deeply sedating for the nervous system by reducing the body's stress response at a physiological level.
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Reduces muscle spasms and involuntary tension that persists during regular massage.
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Particularly effective for clients with fibromyalgia, arthritis, or chronic lower back pain.
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Warmth from the stones relaxes muscles and connective tissue pre-emptively, making subsequent stretching more effective and comfortable.
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Enhances the parasympathetic nervous system response — the "rest and digest" state that promotes healing.
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Creates a deeply grounding, weighted sensation that many clients describe as immediately calming.
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Excellent for people who feel cold easily or experience tension that doesn't fully release with standard pressure.
Pairs exceptionally well with:
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Deep Tissue
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Thai Swedish
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Sports Massage
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Thai Combination
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Couples Massage
How to Incorporate Thai Massage Add-On Services
We want to make sure you have the most therapeutic massage possible. Adding on a complimentary service to your body massage is especially beneficial if you:
Think About Your Needs and Goals - Before booking your Thai massage take a few moments to decide what you want to accomplish with your massage session.
Consider How Services Pair Together - How the add-on service complements certain styles of Thai massage to choose the best combination of services.
Let Your Massage Therapist Know - Simply mention your desired add-on when you book online or let our front desk know when you arrive. Your therapist will incorporate the add-on service seamlessly into your session to maximize the benefits of your session.
Popular Combinations
Mix and Match Massage Enhancements For an Even Greater Customized Treatment
Add-ons can be combined together for a layered experience that offers more. Here are some popular pairings our clients love. You can also ask your massage therapist for personal guidance.
Ready For a Full Body Massage That Makes a Real Difference?
No matter which add-on service you choose, at Ruen you are sure to experience a real difference by the end of your Thai massage session. If you need help deciding which massage style and add-on services to book, give us a call and a therapist can recommend the right combination for your goals.