Thailand Alternative Medicine

Well known internationally for being a center for alternative medicine, Thailand attracts thousands of international patients a year seeking non-conventional treatments. Primarily known for its health spas and meditation centers, Thailand also offers tourists a wide range of other therapies such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy and reflexology at affordable prices.

Thailand is a global leader in hospitality, making it the perfect destination for treatments aimed at healing the mind and body. Health spas offering a broad menu of alternative medicine treatments are dotted across the country with Bangkok, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai being among the most popular places to receive treatment. Spas often offer accommodation and even onsite health-orientated restaurants ensuring guests’ every need is catered to.

As many alternative treatments in Thailand are offered as packages, costs are kept low. A typical package at a health spa would include a Thai massage, a body wrap, a herbal steam sauna and a facial. Some treatments such as reiki and orthomolecular medicine are harder to come by and require the patient to visit a specialist clinic.

Mediation retreats allow visitors to experience Thai Buddhism first-hand, although not all mediation centers are religiously orientated. Many temple and centers offer 10-day retreats allowing you to gain insight into meditation techniques. Daily schedules at these retreats can vary greatly with participants expected to rise early and devote most of their day to meditation.

Aside from cost savings, one of the greatest appeals of having alternative medical treatment in Thailand is the opportunity to have a culturally enriching experience at the same time. The country is known for its fabulous natural scenery which can be appreciated at many centers practicing alternative medicine.

Most health spa staff speak adequate English, but staff at other types of alternative medicine clinics may not. Meditation retreats normally have English-speaking monks or foreign staff available to teach students. The qualifications of alternative medicine practitioners in Thailand vary greatly. Typically meditation centers are run by monks who have practiced meditation for years and are therefore well qualified. Likewise, practitioners of Thai massage are usually experienced despite not necessarily having any formal qualifications.