Ruen Thai FAQs
Yes, there’s free customer parking in Bays 1, 2 & 3 only, 1-2 Osborne Rd car park. Please display a permit which reception will give you on arrival. There’s also easy, free two hour parking close by, on Fernwood Rd, NE2 1TT (off Osborne Rd).
Yes, walk-ins are welcome. However, immediate availability is not guaranteed.
Our quietest time is normally the middle of the day on weekdays. We’re sometimes busier in the evenings. But booking a day or two ahead will be fine.
We aim to be flexible. However, if we’re fully booked after the scheduled completion of your massage, your treatment will be shortened. If you’re running late, please call.
Yes, we welcome accompanied children age 14 or 15 and unaccompanied clients age at least 16.
We use coconut oil with no additives. Allergic reactions to coconut oil are rare. Because the coconut is not a true nut, it is almost always safe for people with nut allergies.
Before your massage, reassure yourself about the suitability of our massage oil and our optional compresses, balms and essential oils. We do sometimes advise tiger balm. This lotion contains methyl salicylate, an ingredient which can occasionally trigger mild skin irritation. Avoid tiger balm if you are sensitive to aspirin.
Be clean! Arrive early to confirm and pay. If your massage involves oil, undress to your underclothes in the treatment room and cover yourself with the towel provided. Your therapist will knock, enter when you’re ready and begin the massage. Do communicate with your therapist about pressure and areas as needed, especially if you feel any discomfort or pain. Otherwise: chat, remain quiet or sleep – as you prefer.
By cash or bank transfer; we also accept cards. You can pre-pay by ordering a printed or digital gift voucher from our website. We do not yet accept card payments over the phone.
No, we do not charge any booking or cancellation fees. We may request a small deposit for triples massages; this is deducted from the overall cost. You can also complete your massage with an authentic application of steamed Thai herbal compresses for £5 extra (£10 per triple).
Yes, we are happy to email a non-VAT receipt. Please request at the time of your visit.
Check with your insurer or employer before your massage. Few if any UK insurers recognise the Thai qualifications of our therapists. However, some employers are more flexible.
No, but our therapists welcome tips for good service. All tips go directly to your therapist(s). The average massage career lasts six years.
We welcome feedback. Most of our reviews are on Google with some on Facebook and Tripadvisor. If you wish to complain, please email with details, including the time and date of your massage. We’ll investigate and reply.
We have a toilet but no shower.
Yes. Should you feel comfortable with a particular therapist, feel free to ask her name and request her when rebooking. Building a relationship in this way is helpful all round.
Massage FAQs
Because massage is a form of exercise, do build in adequate recovery time between sessions. To avoid over-loading, and obtain best value, allow several days between treatments.
Time of day is a matter of individual preference. Early doors will set you up nicely for the day. By contrast, a late afternoon or evening session will help you to sleep well.
Avoid eating a large meal or drinking alcohol.
Sixty minutes is the most popular length, allowing the therapist to identify problem areas and work the whole body. However, 30 minutes can suffice for a focused head, foot or back massage. Longer massages of 90 and 120 minutes permit deeper relaxation, both mental and physical. Our combination 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 massages are well-suited to longer sessions.
If circumstances permit, take a few hours to relax, avoiding exercise and stimulants. Avoid strenuous exercise for 24/48 hours.
Massage should leave you relaxed and a little tired but not sore. However, soreness, inflammation and bruising can occasionally emerge, especially if you are not used to massage and other physical activity. Any type of massage may induce these effects, particularly sports, traditional Thai and hot stones. If the massage has focused on a specific area (e.g. the back), the risk increases slightly.
To prevent post-massage soreness, inform your therapist as soon as her pressure or moves feel excessive. In addition, be in good shape before your treatment; choose short, light sessions for your initial sessions; and allow the therapist to treat the whole body.
Expect the soreness to resolve within a few days; medical attention is rarely required. The best treatment is rest, supplemented by warm baths with Epsom salts; by applying hot and cold compresses; and by drinking water. Avoid vigorous exercise in the recovery phase. The NHS offers further advice on pain after exercise.
Massage is non-invasive, generally safe and helpful in managing pain. However, it is contraindicated when it risks your own or your therapist’s health.
Avoid massage if you have fever (high temperature), any infectious illness (e.g., Covid-19, flu, sore throat, infectious skin conditions), atherosclerosis, endocarditis/pericarditis, hepatitis, meningitis or severe unexplained internal pain. Sources such as Medical Massage Therapy provide fuller lists of contra-indications.
However, many painful conditions, such as fibromyalgia, do benefit from a light massage. Other ailments, such as hypertension, some heart conditions and moderate osteoporosis, are also consistent with a light massage.
In many other cases, including arthritis, inflammation, hernia and varicose veins, your therapist can just avoid the affected area(s). However, if you have cancer, do seek medical approval before massage.
On arrival, always inform reception if you have any medical conditions.