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Amy's<br />
ultural<br />
Corner<br />
台<br />
灣<br />
Foot Massage<br />
reflexology, relaxation and pampering<br />
"What are they doing"<br />
"Interesting! Does it really work"<br />
"Does it hurt Does it really make you relax And does it also cure ailments”<br />
It looks painful and indeed many foreigners shared<br />
that they find their first foot massage experience to<br />
be very uncomfortable, but that when it's over they<br />
actually feel great.<br />
Foot massage can be traced back thousands of years to<br />
ancient China, when Chinese people used foot massages to<br />
treat ailments and to stay healthy. Human feet are believed<br />
to be closely connected to the body's vital organs. Foot<br />
massage stimulates the acupressure points and reflex areas<br />
in the foot to increase blood circulation and metabolism and<br />
boost the immune system. It can also improve health.<br />
Some thirty years ago, if you mentioned massage, others<br />
would think you either meant to visit a 'barbershop'<br />
or wanted to have a treatment given by a visually<br />
impaired massage therapist. 'Barbershop' massages are<br />
stereotypically associated with sexual services. These<br />
shops (not actually barbershops at all, appearing to look<br />
like a barbershop only from the outside) are recognizable<br />
by their bright neon lights outside and darkened windows.<br />
On the other hand, legitimate blind massage services were<br />
commonly provided in hotel rooms or private homes. Blind<br />
therapists either work independently on call, or in their own<br />
shabby, rather dirty-looking premises. I remember seeing<br />
blind therapists hopping on the back of a motorcycle to visit<br />
a customer, and seeing them treat my father at home. Blind<br />
people are known to have a more sensitive sense of touch<br />
and can detect a client's problem areas more efficiently than<br />
most sighted people.<br />
For different reasons the circumstances surrounding both<br />
types of massage meant most people (particularly women)<br />
avoided them; hence in the past most massage services were<br />
used by middle-aged or older men.<br />
Today massage centers are often designed with a Zen<br />
interior, wooden furniture, plasma TV, the calming sound<br />
of flowing water, soothing scents of essential oils, green<br />
plants and bright natural lighting from big windows. They<br />
are now certainly attracting new customers, particularly<br />
the groups of young women who in the past would not<br />
even imagine passing close to a massage parlor. Massage in<br />
Taiwan thus has successfully transformed into an industry<br />
where presently people associate it with therapeutic<br />
treatment and relaxation.<br />
In Taiwan foot massage was 'rediscovered' a few decades<br />
ago by a priest from Switzerland, Father Josef Eugster,<br />
known in Taiwan as 'Father Wu' ( 吳 神 父 ). Foot massage<br />
was simply a self-help therapy some 23 years ago for<br />
Father Wu. He then began promoting the practice and<br />
systematically developed the massage method known as foot<br />
reflexology, which is believed to promote blood flow and<br />
good health.<br />
Now countless foot massage parlors bear the name of<br />
'Father Wu', yet he recently clarified to the public that he<br />
has never authorized anyone to use his name as a trademark.<br />
So what does a foot massage session involve Most foot<br />
massage treatments in Taiwan start with a hot footbath in<br />
Chinese herbal water (the design of these hot water tubs<br />
is often unique and interesting). Generally you also get a<br />
five-minute shoulder and neck rub before beginning the<br />
foot massage session. Massage therapists use their hands,<br />
and sometimes a short wooden massage stick and some<br />
cream to rub, press and push mainly on customers' feet,<br />
while some may work on the calves and up to the knees.<br />
While in session, foot therapists often chat and share that<br />
a healthy person will not feel pain, while a painful spot<br />
reflects a disorder in the associated organ, and that the sore<br />
spots disappear when the ailment is healed. I always seem<br />
to feel that not one organ in my body is healthy at the end<br />
of the session. Nonetheless I do feel relaxed and energized<br />
afterwards. The session is completed with a thorough<br />
cleanse of hot towels to remove traces of cream on the foot<br />
and legs, leaving your feet very warm and relaxed.<br />
In Taiwan, foot massage has been well received and is a<br />
leisure activity appreciated by the locals, while also becoming<br />
popular among international tourists and expatriates living<br />
in Taiwan. The largest concentration of foot massage<br />
businesses can be found by walking along Taipei's Minquan<br />
East Road or Linsen North Road, around tourist spots such<br />
as Danshui, or at night-markets. Night-markets offer the<br />
cheapest rate at about NT$400 for a half-hour massage.<br />
Currently, the price for a foot massage elsewhere is between<br />
NT$500 and NT$700 for thirty minutes. However, since<br />
there is no regulation, the service can vary.<br />
Most foot massage shops in Taiwan are cozy, clean and<br />
peaceful. Unbelievably some of them are open 24 hours<br />
a day and offer various services including (apart from the<br />
standard foot massage) shoulder, neck, head, or wholebody<br />
massage. For someone who is new to the experience,<br />
Taiwanese-style foot massage can be quite forceful and may<br />
be painful. Don't be shy to ask your masseur to relax and<br />
massage more gently. I assure you that you will get used to<br />
this form of relaxing reflexology and want to go back for<br />
more. It surely is good for your health!<br />
Apr 10<br />
7