Chiva Som
Hua Hin, Thailand
by Julie Register

Chiva Som means "Haven of Life". It is an exclusive health resort on seven beachfront acres in Hua Hin, a resort town in which the country's royal family vacations. Chiva Som's tri-part logo represents the body, mind, and spirit. Chiva Som's extensive services are designed to enhance the health of all three thus enabling a good quality of life. Chiva-Som encourages prevention and accepts well rather than sick patients. However, programs offered there can be effective for treating certain muscular and skeletal disorders, skin problems, stress related illness, cardiac rehabilitation, and heavy smoking. Guests have come to Chiva-Som since its opening in 1995 with varying intentions: to become healthier and fitter, to be toned, pampered and beautified, to overcome a particular health problem or emotional trauma, or simply to recharge the batteries, relax and enjoy themselves.

My daughter and I decided to visit this destination/medical spa over a weekend. After evaluating our alternatives, I decided to pay the $200 roundtrip transfer fee for Chiva Som to send a car to pick us up at and return us to our service apartment in Bangkok. The Hua Hin airport was not yet open (scheduled for late 2001), a chauffeur service from Bangkok cost about the same, and I wouldn't attempt driving in Bangkok. I enjoyed the ride, actually. We passed a number of wats (Buddhist temples) and small towns. Rice paddies and windmills with rattan sails lined the road in places. Three hours later, we arrived at Chiva Som.

We were escorted to the reception courtyard and provided cool drinks. We checked in and were introduced to the controlled environment at Chiva Som. We were given booklets that explained a la carte spa, medical, and fitness programs and provided a daily schedule to fill in as we made our appointments. Everyone gets a daily spa service with their stay. Everyone has a consultation to help identify goals and plan activities to achieve maximum results and continue the benefits at home. A team of doctors, nurses, dieticians, and other professionals are available for specialist advice and guidance if required.

As we were then taken to our room, we passed through the lush grounds that are styled like a traditional Thai village. Our room, one of 57 Thai-style pavilions, suites, and single rooms, overlooked the pool and the Gulf of Thailand beyond. A pretty ceramic burner (available in the retail shop) filled the room with the lovely scent of lemongrass. One of the extra little touches Chiva Som provided was a thought of the day on a bookmark. Two of them were "People don't grow old. When they stop growing, they become old." and "For a few minutes every day, close your eyes and listien to the sound of silence. It's so often the most beautiful "Music" of all."

We made appointments for our daily spa treatment and consultations from our room and familiarized ourselves with the property. When it was time for my consultation, I checked into the spa desk. Consultations are done on the main floor. Ms. Leah Villaruz, the nurse, escorted me to a consultation room, checked my weight and blood pressure, and explained treatment options. I decided to try Equilibropathy and Chi Nei Tsang. After the medical consultation, I met with Julie, the fitness consultant. I added a power walk on the beach and yoga to my schedule. It was time for me to meet my daughter for our spa treatments. We both were having Thai massage - the first for Megan.

The main part of the spa is on the lower level. I went down the lovely staircase that curves around a fountain, met Megan, and checked in at the desk. We were taken to the women's locker room and had time to enjoy the whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and plunge pool (with fresh flowers floating in it) before our appointments. When the appointment time arrived, we were escorted to the co-ed waiting area. Our therapists escorted us to our treatment rooms. The massage was done on a traditional floor mat and was great. I had warned Megan that she might find some parts of the massage uncomfortable, particularly if they pressed along the shins, but the end result of feeling energized would be worth it. However, Megan said she felt no discomfort and thoroughly enjoyed the massage.

The spa is quite large and one of the most comprehensive facilities I've seen. There are 34 treatment rooms (4 in outdoor massage pavilions) and 56 employees (therapists, attendants, salon, receptionists). The decor is modern and inviting. The treatment rooms cover the range of face and body massages, scrubs and wraps, reflexology, aromatherapy, electrical face and body reshaping and toning treatments. There is also a hydro-therapy suite with computerized spa massage baths, a jet shower room, a music therapy room and a unique floatation chamber for de-stressing. Other facilities in the Spa include a beauty bar, hairdressing, and manicure and pedicure stations.

Next on my agenda was an Equilibropathy (Dulayaphap Bumbud) treatment. Equilibropathy is given to balance the body structure, clear the mind, and boost the spirit. It is performed at Chiva Som by Equilibropathy Master, Dr. Taworn Kasomson, M.D.. Dr. Taworn Kasomson practiced traditional allopathic medicine for years. He became frustrated by treating symptoms but not really curing patients. He discovered this method of treating the root cause of illnesses and now incorporates it into his practice. After discussing my health, the doctor examined my spinal column and the associated muscles. I told him I had a severe back problem a couple of years before at which time I could not move without excruciating pain. There had been no injury and nothing showed up on an MRI. I still occasionally get twinges from my right hip to knee. He said it was due to a trauma in my childhood - perhaps a fall in the playground. The muscles overcompensated for the trauma and basically things went downhill ever since. He said this trauma is responsible for my weight and skin problems as well. He applied traditional acupuncture needles to my back. They look much worse than they feel. He also applied tiny "tacks" that stuck into the skin about 1/16th inch on specific areas of my back, legs, stomach, armpits, and chest - the same places that can send me through the roof with pain when getting a Thai, shiatsu, or acupressure massage - the same places where I have been told my energy is blocked. These "tacks" were held in place with the kind of adhesive tape used on bandages. The doctor said the "tacks" relax abnormally tense muscles and release the blockage thus allowing improvement in circulation and nerve signal transmission in the body. He removed the acupuncture needles but I was to leave the "tacks" in place for two weeks. I was also given instructions for stretching exercises to improve my breathing and posture that I did faithfully. The following day, I had a follow up appointment and the doctor applied "tacks" to my neck which was now sore from improperly stretching. The "tacks" slowly fell out by themselves over the next two weeks and I did the stretching exercises without fail. The end result is supposed to be that the body structure will be more balanced, the mind clearer, and the spirit uplifted. My actual results? Three stand out. The first is I experienced no discomfort - none - when I got Thai massages after having the Equilibropathy treatment. I guess my energy was no longer blocked. The second is I felt like I had more energy - mental and physical. The third is I dropped ten pounds with no effort (diet or extra exercise) on my part. Too bad I have to travel to the other side of the world to have another treatment. I have a few more pounds to go. In the mean time, I continue the stretching exercises to maintain proper posture and to prevent my body from being further out of balance. Dr. Taworn Kasomson says that regular practice of the exercises will continue to improve my general health and the natural healing process.

Later that day, I met Megan at the yoga pavilion and enjoyed an hour of beginners yoga. I missed the scheduled power walk on the beach the following morning. I didn't oversleep! I was photographing the spa. I set off by myself towards the large rock outcropping with the towering statue of Buddha about a mile and a half from Chiva Som (see photos below). Monkeys inhabit the island and frequent the wat there looking for food. When I reached my destination, the monkeys were looking for food on the beach. They are used to people and not upset by my approach. They just ignored me. They were great fun to watch.

The other treatment I had at Chiva Som was Chi Nei Tsang, an internal organ massage that uses the technique of massaging directly at the navel and surrounding abdominal area. According to the description, this is where stress, tension and negative emotions accumulate and congest. When this area is knotted up, the whole energy of the body is blocked. When this occurs, all vital energy functions stagnate, which then slowly weakens the internal organs and decreases energy and vitality. A Chi Nei Tsang massage quickly releases negative emotions, tensions and sicknesses, bringing comfort and relief to the abdomen and vital energy to the internal organs. This is also effective in the treatment of digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, constipation, eliminates toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and promotes lymphatic drainage. Buathon Thienarrom, Medical Manager of Chiva Som, escorted me to one of the outdoor massage pavilions for the Chi Nei Tsang treatment. She started by deeply massaging the muscles in my chest and between my ribs. I have to say that these muscles had never been massaged and were extremely tight. There was a bit of discomfort. She then moved to my abdomen. I was told when to inhale and exhale. It was very strange having someone find my internal organs and massage them. At the same time, I gained an awareness of myself that wasn't there before. Again, there was discomfort. However, when it was all done, I felt energized.

The food offered at Chiva Som is spa cuisine combining Eastern and Western styles and is included in the rate. Many of the fruits and vegetables are grown at Chiva Som's own organic garden. Dinner is ordered from a menu but lunch is buffet-style so you control your own portions. We didn't make it to any of the breakfasts. One night there was a seafood buffet with traditional Thai dancers providing the entertainment. If you are traveling alone or enjoy meeting new people, there is a large table set aside for those wishing to interact with others. (Click here for recipes)

Other facilities worth mentioning are the high-tech, air-conditioned gym, pavilions for yoga and Tai Chi, air-conditioned studios with spring floors for aerobics, outdoor pool by the beach, and a bathing pavilion with an indoor pool for aqua aerobics, a multi-level unisex steam room, a plunge pool, a Kneipp bath of pebbles in cold and hot pool to massage the feet and a large hydro-pool.

Before we left, I had another Thai massage and Megan had a manicure and pedicure. The morning we left we had a follow up check up. We had both lost two pounds. One of us needed to, the other didn't. You can probably guess which was which.

Chiva Som
Chiva Som

Tranquil Pool near Reception Desk

Building housing rooms and restaurant
Our Room

Spa and Retail Shop

Stairs to Treatment Rooms

Men's Spa Entrance (left), Salon Entrance (center), Women's Spa Entrance (right)

Women's Spa Reception Desk

Waiting Area

Vanity Area

Locker Area

Steam, Sauna, and Cold Plunge Pool

Whirlpool and Relaxation Lounge

Relaxation Area

Music Therapy Room

Hydrotherapy Suite Entrance

Hydrotherapy Room

Floatation Chamber

Treatment Room

Treatment Room

Thai Massage Room

Treatment Room

Outdoor Massage Pavilion

Outdoor Massage Pavilion

Dr. Taworn Kasomson, M.D.

Buathon Thienarrom, Medical Manager

Megan getting Paraffin Treatment, Manicure and Pedicure

Fitness Building

Yoga Pavilion

Photos copyright 2001, Julie Register
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