Masseuse who owns of New Milton's Jasmine Thai Therapy, Angie Downes, speaks out after requests by men for 'extras'

A NEW Milton masseuse who has endured months of being asked by men for sexual favours is speaking out to get the message across that her premises is not a “knocking shop”.

Angie Downes has been a qualified traditional Thai massage therapist for the past 16 years.

But she says she has never experienced so many would-be clients with expectations of “happy endings” until opening Jasmine Thai Therapy in Whitefield Road a year ago.

“Just yesterday I received a message from a guy who had a massage booked in, telling me that since becoming aware I would not be doing ‘extras’, he would be cancelling,” said Angie, who worked as an NHS nurse and midwife for 15 years.

“I had a man call me to ask if I did ‘naturist massage’ – I didn’t even know what that was until I looked it up and discovered it was performed with both the client and therapist being naked.”

Angie was taught at the globally recognised and approved International Training Massage School in Chang Mai in nothern Thailand, and is now a member of the Complementary Therapists’ Association.

She said: “I am very passionate about what I do – I know the benefits of this healing ancient therapy that is steeped in history and I have seen the difference it can make to people’s lives, both physically and mentally.

“I’m a registered holistic therapist with very high standards, so I find it offensive when I am asked for anything other than a massage.

“When I tell men who contact me that what they’re after is not a service I provide, I’ve been told, ‘I’ll make it worth your while’ – whatever that means.

“I’ve had men calling me at 4am or with the expectation that when they contact me, whatever time or day it is, a service will be instantaneous.”

She added: “The trouble is that some Thai massage premises are offering certain things, so I feel like I’m banging my head against a brick wall.

“These places are tarnishing the name of the traditional medicine of Thailand and it irks me.

“Some of my female clients told me they had some unpleasant experiences in other Thai massage establishments, like wash facilities containing various paraphernalia including baby oil and wet wipes.

“My authenticity and my professionalism is not always easy to gauge so I want to put it out there – that kind of thing doesn’t go on here. My business is not some dodgy knocking shop.

“What I am providing is not just a quick-fix massage – it’s a health maintenance program that is ongoing and has a cumulative effect, so the more you have the less you need.”

It is believed that Thai massage was developed more than 2,500 years ago by Shivago Kompara, said to have been a friend and personal physician to the Buddha.

The theory is that it works on energy lines that flow through the body, removing the blockages that lead to health problems.

Angie said: “By opening up the sen lines, Thai massage can help with many health issues, including migraines, back pain, sciatica, IBS, and sinus problems, to name just a few.

“It has also been shown to lower anxiety, boost energy and blood circulation, and increase feelings of calm.

“I am constantly amazed by the results I see with my clients.”