Not many massage therapies have been licensed by governments, but in Japan Shiatsu is taken very seriously indeed and doctors will often send patients for a course of treatment. This therapy has roots stretching back hundreds of years and has incorporated health-giving benefits from China and the West in order to create an extremely effective treatment.

For those looking to go beyond pampering spa treatments, homoeopathy consultations are now offered by several of Thailand’s more progressive health and wellness centres. A natural, sensitive alternative to western medicine.

Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for over 2000 years and combined with Chinese herbal medicine it is an effect way to stay healthy and treat all sorts of medical conditions and ailments. Placing needles into various energy channels called meridians can restore Qi 'vital life energy' to the body.