Foot Massage 足底按摩

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw

“I insist,” said a friend. “How can you live in Beijing for almost 3 years without experiencing it.” She sounded just like myself when I said to Maggie a couple of years ago, “You grew up in Beijing and never visited the Forbidden City?” So I sheepishly follow them into this dimly lit massage parlor.

Foot massage, that is.

Many Chinese believe in reflexological therapy. The general theories associate vital organs and circulation to areas on one’s feet. By stimulating the corresponding areas, one will heal or strengthen the associative organs. You can also diagnose by observing how areas of your feet react to massage actions.

The place is subtly decorated with staff quietly busying around. We were led to a room lined wtih easy chairs and foot stools. Soon, a waiter came in to confirm our services and take orders for drinks and foods (all complimentary). A few minutes after, 4 masseurs came in each with a wooden bucket of hot liquid. Flower petals float on the slightly colored water. It was scorching hot, yet soothing to soak your feet in. The masseurs then start work on our shoulders and backs. Knots that I did not know exist disappeared and tension from neck loosens. Just when I noticed the water is getting cold, the masseur took my feet out, wrap them with warm damp towels, and took out the bucket.

They came back and start working on my feet. With lubricant, she pressed, rub, pinched, or rolled pretty much every parts. It hurt a bit, but not too much. Some parts generate unfamilar sensations that are part itchy, part a bit pain, and part soothing. It was the “good hurt.” I found myself getting drowsy and becoming quiet.

Too soon, they stopped and bid us farewell. We stayed to finish our drink and chat. As the conversation ends, we put our shoes back on (I don’t want to) and left, very refreshed.

Hmm, I can get used to this…

“真没想到，”一个朋友十分诧异地问我，“你在北京住三年了竟然都没试过？”她的神情跟我两年前问 Maggie 时候的一模一样：“你从小在北京长大竟然没去过故宫？”于是我屁颠屁颠地跟着他们来到这个灯光昏暗的按摩店。

对了，我说的就是足底按摩。

中国人比较相信反射疗法。也就是说人的主要脏器、循环系统和脚底是有联系的。刺激脚底的相应区域，能够治疗相应器官的疾病或改善他们的功能。按摩这些区域，观察脚的反应，还能够诊断相应器官的健康状况。

这家按摩店装修别致，工作人员都在默默地忙碌着。我们被领到一个房间里，里面排着舒服的椅子和脚凳。很快，一个服务员进来确认服务种类，并让我们点饮料和吃的(都是含在服务里的)。不一会，四位按摩师进来了，每人端着一只木桶，桶里装满热气腾腾、颜色微深的汤水，上面漂浮着花瓣。水非常烫，但可以慢慢试着把脚放进去，很舒服。按摩师开始按摩肩膀和后背。她的按摩化解了我以前或许没注意到的结节，也舒缓了颈部的紧张。当水刚刚开始变凉的时候，按摩师把我的脚拿了出来，用湿的热毛巾裹好。

然后开始按摩脚。她用一点润滑油，开始对脚的每个部位压、搓、捏、揉。有一点疼，但还好。有的部位会有一种不熟悉的感觉 – 有点痒，又有点疼痛，但又有点舒服。真是”痛并快乐着” 。我发现自己慢慢开始昏昏欲睡，安静了下来。

很快她们按摩完了，送客。我们又待了一会，一边聊天，一边喝完饮料。聊完天，穿上鞋子(还真有点不愿意)，感觉非常清爽。

别说，我可能会上瘾呢…