Massage Trail For Travelers

People travel for various reasons, but a few travel to experience the local culture and uniqueness of the place. As a traveler apart from sightseeing, learning to cook a local dish, enjoying the local massage of that place, is my personal favorite. The problem is whenever someone hears “massage” the first thought that pops up is, an elaborate spa arrangement, and heavy bills accompanying it. Massages have been stereotyped and the key reason behind it is- Unawareness. In addition to lack of information, movies and TV shows created a larger than life image, around the subject. Though one can enjoy local massages, without drilling a hole in the pocket.

The need is proper research, interact with locals, they will suggest a place, where one can enjoy an authentic session at a reasonable cost.

Let’s undertake a massage trail, highlighting the different massages and their origin.

“Maalish” a form of home massage, traced its origin to India almost 5000 years back. Later in the country massage became a part of the Ayurveda diet, along with hermotherapy, aromatherapy, color therapy, and sound therapy. In ancient times due to trade relations between different countries, and mutual interaction resulted in the evolvement of the therapy. Many new massage therapies visited India, and in a similar manner, Indian therapies traveled outside. But across the globe around 5000 BCE, some form of massage or reflexology was in existence.

In the early days,  medicines were not developed, people used to take massages to heal injuries, relieve pain, prevent, and cure illnesses. It was believed they restore the body’s natural and physical balance, thus fastening the natural healing process.

Nowadays it is widely prevalent for relaxing. I have tried a few therapies mentioned below and can vouch for their innumerable benefits. These reviews and opinions are based on my personal experience.  It might differ for other people, but I have tried my best to remain neutral and crisp.

AMMA OR ANMA

Based on the principles of Chinese traditional medicine, this is a 5000 years old energy-balancing/therapeutic deep tissue massage. It’s a traditional Japanese massage, but has its origins in China.

It takes approximately 90 minutes; the practitioner will sit with the client at the beginning of an appointment, to understand them better. It can be helpful in addressing a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, including body pain, headache, sinus issues, insomnia, etc.

I feel one needs to have a great amount of patience to handle this massage. It takes a lot of time, though it is time well spent. People visiting China and Japan should try this massage.

AROMATHERAPY

It is a form of massage therapy that dates back to ancient Egyptian time, but is more popularly known as Swedish massage now.

This massage is done by the application of oil or lotion, which contains essential oils (highly concentrated plant oils). During an aromatherapy massage, you inhale these essential oil molecules or absorb them through your skin.

Essential oils have unique qualities, and the expected result for each is, fairly predictable. They can be tailored according to a client’s unique needs. The use of therapeutic essential oils in massage is being explored for curing depression, anxiety, menstrual pains, and insomnia. Primarily these oils have various medicinal properties that calm the mind and body, at the same time energies them.

There are few things that one should keep in mind before taking this massage

• One should not take a meal right before the massage, it will have side effects.
• Try to reach early so that you can have time in your hand to relax before the massage.
• If your body is allergic to any oil or lotion, do inform your masseuse. Also, if your body is too sensitive to aromas then this massage is not for you.

 AYURVEDA (Dhaara)

It is a 5,000-year-old natural health system that traces its origin to India. It’s a system of whole-body healing, which examines a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

My favorite is Shirodhara, though one can choose from a plethora of options. If your massage center is offering you Kalari Massage, do try it out.

Shirodhara begins with the body massage, the oils used are not those regular ones but are herb-infused. This massage will relax the muscles and harmonizes the energy of the body, preparing it for the later procedure.

Warm oil is then poured into a copper vessel on a massage rack, from where a continuous thin stream is poured on the forehead. The masseur ensures the oil temperature remains constant. They slightly swing the vessel, stimulating the entire frontal area.

The whole process takes about 45 minutes, try to take a short nap, it will enhance the experience. The selection of oil is based on the client’s body type, and the allergies are kept in consideration.

ADVANTAGES

It increases brain activity, improves memory, and sharpens reflexes. Highly recommended for students and for professionals, who are required to absorb large amounts of information and retain it. Also, it is used in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, due to their psychosomatic character. This therapy normalizes sexual function and increases libido.

Things to be kept in mind:

If your body is hypersensitive to any oil or ingredient, do inform the masseuse beforehand.

Any past medical history, diseases should be informed in advance.

If you are visiting India this massage is highly recommended. One can easily find Spas providing Ayurvedic massages. Else head to Kerala to enjoy backwaters along with authentic Ayurvedic massages.

BALINESE MASSAGE

This traditional Indonesian massage is greatly influenced by China and India. According to Balinese tradition, it was the goddess of beauty Lakshmi, from the Hindu mythology, who taught Balinese people.

During the session, manual pressure is used on the body. This massage is frequently used for relaxation, but it can also loosen tight muscles, relieve pain, body aches, reduces stress and anxiety, thus boosting the overall wellbeing.

The various techniques in this massage include deep tissue massage, acupressure, reflexology, and aromatherapy.

The therapist will fold, knead, stroke, stretch, and press the skin while placing Balinese hot stones on problematic areas. They apply oil for more effectiveness.

ADVANTAGES

The flow of blood, oxygen, and energy will increase dramatically, after the session.

According to me, everyone should give it a try once, apart from the health-related benefits, it also opens up the energy channels. Thus good energy is absorbed, and the bad energy will go away. The state of total harmony is the key purpose of this therapy.

CAUTION

Pregnant females, heart patients, or people suffering from muscle/joint injury, should avoid this therapy. Red flags, it might make you a little feverish for a while.

Remember this massage is not for the faint-hearted, if you like gentle or feather touches, please don’t opt this.

You can try it either in India or Bali.

 

BLIND MASSAGE

As the name suggests this massage is done by a blind person. It began in China in the 8th century, when Buddhist monk Jianzhen, after losing his eyesight practiced this treatment for the first time.

The uniqueness is a blind practitioner’s increased sensitivity to touch, makes massage much better. This is an interesting fact surrounding this Eastern massage technique.

Blind Massage includes foot and whole-body massage, and doesn’t work differently than any other form of traditional Chinese massages. The practitioner has a thorough knowledge of the human body, including its channels and pressure points, and knows exactly how to manipulate these points. Blind massage can help ease muscle, tendon, and ligament problems, while also treating more complicated diseases.

ADVANTAGES

If you have knots and sore spots then do opt for a blind massage. I can guarantee from my experience a masseur with a heightened sense of touch, will intuitively figure them and ease them out.

Like most of the traditional massages, you don’t have to remove your clothes.

Bangkok and Cape Town are the two best places for this massage, although you can get this massage in almost every Spa.

CACTUS/HAKALI MASSAGE

Originated in China 3000 years ago, it is exactly what you imagine after reading its name. It is done by combining indigenous flora, sage, tequila body lotion, and local massage techniques. Hakali or cactus is the key ingredient used in the massage and has many antioxidant healing properties.

The thorns are pulled out from the cactus paddles, before being heated in warm water. Thus there’s no need to worry about being pricked during a cactus massage! The paddles are then used to knead your tired muscles. They can also be cut in half, exposing a gooey interior, which can be used to massage your body. It also helps in removing toxins and re-hydrating the skin, leaving you completely rejuvenated.

ADVANTAGES

Nopal Cactus helps in removing sunburns. Unlike oil, the nopal “juice” quickly absorbs into skin, leaving no greasy or sticky residue. For the first time, you will not feel like taking a shower after the massage.

You can get it from anywhere but Shanghai has the best hakali massage place.

 

FIRE MASSAGE

This ancient Chinese medical massage helps in reducing wrinkles, giving younger-looking skin, and even slimming the thighs. If you are crazy about beauty, then this one is definitely for you.

In this massage, a towel is soaked in alcohol and a kind of ‘elixir’ before being placed over problematic areas on your face, legs, or other body parts. Then they are lit on fire for a few seconds. This helps to stimulate the skin, reduce wrinkles, sagging, and dullness. The reason behind using fire is, extreme heat triggers an adrenaline response, that shifts the body’s chemistry, further improving digestion and metabolism.

This massage might sound a little dangerous, but it’s not, once every safety measure is in place. The best place to try this massage is China, from where it originated.

Do check the testimonials of the spa prior to opting for this massage. The safety of skin is the biggest concern here.

 

 HAMMAM

The Ottomans built the baths in the capital city of Constantinople (now Turkey).  Mimar Sinan, an Ottoman architect, designed several key bath structures around the city, in the late fifteenth century, some of which are still in work.

Before this traditional Turkish massage, one needs to change into a cotton body wrap, head towards the sauna to loosen the body, it has a heated marble platform at the center. After this, an attendant will scrub and wash your body.

Now you are officially ready to indulge in the blissful massage.  This massage falls into various categories, depending on the hammam and the therapist’s expertise. An example, they could walk on your back or twist and pull at your body, so prepare yourself and ask beforehand to avoid any surprises.

ADVANTAGES

It helps in sinus and the mind-body connection.

One should check the Spa before indulging in any of the massages. It should be decent where cleanliness is the top priority.

If you are ever traveling towards Morocco, don’t let go of this sinful delight.

 Disclaimer: This blog is not sponsored, hence there is no mention of any particular massage parlors or spas.