Health & Spa

Caring for body and mind Why fly to Thailand when you have health care on your own doorstep? Well, long waiting lists, stressed-out nursing staff, overworked doctors, busy hospitals, exorbitant medical bills, and recovery time spent stuck in the confines of your own home, all make the prospect of medical treatment none to appealing. But a trip to Thailand can turn into one of the most positive experience of your lifetime. No matter where you are from, whichever facilities is chosen, whether contemplating a check-up, a major medical procedure or a revitalizing spa treatments, you will enjoy prompt attention, immaculate comfort, the services of highly professional staff, and friendly faces. Leading-edge treatment Home to Asia’s first internationally accredited health facility, Thailand’s ultra-new and modern hospitals are less than a decade old and feel more like luxury hotels catering to tourists, than places to treat the infirm. Thailand currently has over 400 private hospitals scattered throughout the kingdom. Most of these are staffed by western-trained doctors and specialists, thereby ensuring the best possible care. While standards are world-class, costs are far lower than those for comparable services in the US or Europe. Popular procedures It is not just curative medicine and check-ups that are available. Popular procedures include cardiac surgery, knee and hip replacement surgery, dialysis treatment, cosmetic surgery and treatment, oral surgery and dental treatment, and corrective eye surgery. Many leading hospitals also have specialized medical centers for cancer, ear nose and throat, neurosurgery, urology, diabetes, endocrinology, and all other key medical disciplines. Pampering professionalism Many visitors are overwhelmed by the tenderness given by Thailand’s care providers, claiming that their warmth and understanding was a valuable part in the treatment and speedy recovery. An online system makes it quick and easy to search for doctors, view their medical track-records and fix a meeting for a health vacation in Thailand. Services at leading private hospitals include airport transfers, international insurance coordination, and fully-serviced rooms. There are also super-fast mobile medical services, including by helicopter and aircraft, while patient records can be swiftly obtained via the internet. As you reluctantly prepare yourself for your homeward departure, all your detailed medical records will be faultlessly complied and can either be presented to you as you leave, or forwarded to your GP back home. Tropical convalescence Whether you choose to breath in the fresh mountain air of the North, soak in the turquoise seawater that washes the white powder beaches along the southern and eastern coastline, explore the forested national parks that enrich the whole country, feast daily on delectable local cuisine, visit the country’s wealth of fabulous tourist attractions, golf at one of Thailand’s many internationally designed lush, green fairways, or just lay back, recuperating from your medical treatment will be speedy and thoroughly enjoyable. For the first time in your life you will think of health care as being a memorable experience! Traditional healing in modern facilities An increasing number of wellness facilities have turned to indigenous Thai folk wisdom and traditional Asian remedies in search of tried and true solutions to stress and illness. This realm of the experience incorporates Thai massage, meditation, tai chi, yoga, and acupuncture. The combination of modern and traditional, along with a level of care that tops many hospitals in the West, combine to create the most complete health packages available. Thai massage and meditation An established practice in spas and fitness centers everywhere, Thai massage combines yoga and acupressure techniques, manipulating the body’s internal energy using pressure points and yoga positions. It stretches the spine and pulls on joints to leave the body loose and relaxed, ultimately fostering flexibility and relieving tension. Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is the traditional center of learning for Thai massage techniques and intensive course are available for those wish to learn more about the techniques. Meditation is a part of Thai life. It can be applied to daily life, aiding concentration and leading to a state of calm, no matter where the meditation is performed. Meditation teaching is widely available in Thailand for Thais and visitors alike, ranging from English language day classes in Bangkok through to intensive month-long courses at remote retreats in the provinces. Alternative medicine Instead of conventional medicine, many people turn to alternative forms of medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicines and Ayurveda Medicine for prevention and treatment of diseases. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a 4,000-year-old Chinese healing technique using acupuncture, moxibustion, massage and Chinese herbal medicine to create balance of the body. It has become a popular option for all kinds of conditions, from pain disorders and PMS to paralysis and nausea. TCM treatment is available at major private hospitals and medical spas. Ayurvedic treatments are now offered at several of the country’s top spas with Indian practitioners advising on how to apply the time-honored principles in healing and how to use them to make adjustments to lifestyle in order to maintain wellness. Treatments include massage, herbs, controlled breathing, yoga, meditation and diet. Heavenly land of spas A harmonious blend of cultural heritage and destination diversity has made Thailand an infinitely attractive spa destination. Spas themselves are aesthetically pleasing in Thai atmosphere with the welcome accorded by pleasant, smiling staffs and therapists at the first stage. Thai spas now compete on an equal footing with the cosmopolitan capitals of the world. Since 1999, they have figured in the world’s top five: The Oriental Bangkok, the Banyan Tree Phuket, Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Amanpuri Phuket. Chiva-Som in Hua Hin was rated the world’s number one destination spa. A typical Thai spa presents a choice of traditional Thai massage with Swedish, Javanese, and sports massage. Jet lag recovery treatment, aromatherapy, reflexology, foot massage are also on the list, with skin care treatments such as facials, mud and body wraps, scrubs, as well as acupressure, herbal steams, and floral baths. They are also developing their own lines of products that utilize the qualities of Thai herbs contributing to a renaissance of traditional Thai herbal recipes and ancient remedies prized for the healing power of their natural ingredients. Why fly to Thailand when you have health care on your own doorstep? Well, long waiting lists, stressed-out nursing staff, overworked doctors, busy hospitals, exorbitant medical bills, and recovery time spent stuck in the confines of your own home, all make the prospect of medical treatment none to appealing. But a trip to Thailand can turn into one of the most positive experience of your lifetime. No matter where you are from, whichever facilities is chosen, whether contemplating a check-up, a major medical procedure or a revitalizing spa treatments, you will enjoy prompt attention, immaculate comfort, the services of highly professional staff, and friendly faces. 10

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10 1 Health & Spa

2008-10-17T17:20:05+00:00