Watery way to wellbeing

The recent opening of two new medical spas aims to return spas to their original purpose

In Thailand you can take your Toyota for a treatment at a car spa, pamper your pooch with a massage at a pet spa, and indulge yourself in nail spas, hair spas and other spa mutants. While the Kingdom has been building its reputation as a heavenly spa destination, the out-of-control mutation of spa services may well undermine this booming industry.

In Thailand you can take your Toyota for a treatment at a car spa, pamper your pooch with a massage at a pet spa, and indulge yourself in nail spas, hair spas and other spa mutants. While the Kingdom has been building its reputation as a heavenly spa destination, the out-of-control mutation of spa services may well undermine this booming industry.

The emergence of a new league of medical spas will reinforce Thailand 's "spas are us" image and revive the true purpose of spa-ing as well as support changing trends towards sustainable health.

Opening its doors this month, S Medical Spa is claimed to be the largest and most comprehensive medical spa in Asia . Earlier in July, Nakornthon Hospital officially opened its Thai Medical Spa _ the first of its kind in the country.

Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, the founder of S Medical Spa, reminds that originally spas in ancient times were medical venues that used spring water for healing illnesses. "Today's spas are more about relaxation and some so-called spas have completely missed out the water component of hydrotherapy, " she notes.

Located in the heart of Bangkok on Wireless road, her six-star spa boasts a lavish ambience and a variety of aqua-based facilities from a walking pool, hot jacuzzi, cold plunge and the only 7-in-1 hydrotherapy tub in Thailand . Spa treatment is one option on its menu which also includes vitality, beauty, figure, holistic and purification programmes. To qualify as a medical spa, it has a team of doctors _ dermatologists, gynaecologists, psychiatrists and other specialists _ who sport "Happy Healthmaker" T-shirts instead of white gowns. Prescribing a holistic approach, they combine conventional medicine (Western medicine), alternative medicine, and spa therapy to achieve each client's personal goals.

According to Dr Pakpilai medical spas will serve changing needs in healthcare as people pursue sustainable health and vitality. "Nowadays people get married and have kids at a later stage in life _ in their mid 30s and early 40's," she notes. "Many want to keep themselves in good health in order to be able to see their kids graduate from university, have a family, give them grandchildren."

She adds that in the past, people may have "let go" after 50. Greater numbers of people living longer and longer, well beyond 70, have made many realise that they still have plenty of years ahead and they shouldn't let themselves end up confined to a wheelchair or being bedridden. They would rather keep their body in optimal function and delay degenerative diseases so that they can enjoy life in senior years.

As a rejuvenation centre, S Medical Spa serves the well-off seeking long-term wellness. On the outskirts of town on Rama 2 road, the more affordable Nakornthon Thai Medical Spa shares the same philosophy in healthcare. The hospital's medical director, Dr Wiroj Trakarnwijitr recalls how in the past, Chinese physicians made money from keeping emperors and lords in good shape, and when they got sick the physicians didn't get paid. Likewise, medical spas aim for promoting sustainable health, while clinics and hospitals will continue caring for the sick.

Transforming its twelfth floor, previously housing patient's rooms, into an authentic Thai Medical Spa, Nakornthon Hospital is backed by the Thai Traditional Medicine Development Foundation, the National Institute of Thai Traditional Medicine under the Ministry of Health. Promoting local wisdom and Thai traditional medicine, the spa integrates conventional medicine, complementary medicine and spa therapy into its practices. Highlighting its tamrub thong treatments, using gold leaves and Thai herbs for skin rejuvenation, this medical spa offers 38 treatment rooms including a room for meditation.

"Thai medical spa treatments help us to achieve physical, mental and spiritual goals. The balance will lead to sustainable health," Dr Wiroj believes. "If possible we would like people to get out of the vicious cycle of falling ill, going to see a doctor for a prescription, then getting sick again and needing Western drugs to cure themselves. In addition, medical spas also focus on lifestyle changes and share knowledge on how to better take care of oneself in order to ward off illness."

While medical spas promote sustainable health, they also remain true to their origin in offering therapeutic options for patients. At Nakornthon Thai Medical Spa, eye or foot massage, as complementary medicine, may be recommended for those with diabetes. Healthcare providers will also advise on diets and give diabetics knowledge of foods that reduce blood sugar levels and improve lipid profile, which may help cut the amount of drugs needed to control their condition. Patients with joint problems may have been dependent on steroids but dietary change combined with Thai traditional medicine and massage may help alleviate the condition, reducing the need for Western medicines or an operation.

For this shift in treating patients, Dr Wiroj points out that the first customers are actually the doctors themselves because they have a background in Western medicine. Once they accept the idea, the integration of conventional practice with the Thai Medical Spa will benefit patients.

How will the return of medical spas affect other spa businesses? Dr Wiroj anticipates the saturation of non-medical spas. "In today's economic situation, spa-goers may find that paying thousands of baht at a spa merely for relaxation may not be worth it," he says. "Money will be reserved for pajjai see (Four requisites of life _ food, shelter, clothing, medicine). And people may seek out medical spa services that offer more in keeping them healthy, reducing illness and cutting medical costs."

For more information about S Medical Spa, call 02-253-1010 or visit www.smedspa.com.

For more information about Nakornthon Thai Medical Spa, call 02-416-5454 ext 220 or visit www.nakornthonhospital.com.
Bangkok Post October 2005 www.bangkokpost.com