These sneaky massage therapists have no hands.
People in dire need of pain relief are willing to slip carnivorous reptiles all over their bodies – and faces – at a small spa in Cairo.
As soothing music pumps through the sound system, masseurs rub oil on clients’ backs – before introducing a combination of pythons or about 28 different types of non-venomous snakes into the adrenaline-fueled 30-minute session.
Masseuse and spa owner Safwat Sedki said tubal massages help reduce muscle and joint pain, improve blood circulation, and release endorphins.
“Using tubing is a type of massage, and it serves two purposes, physical and emotional,” Sedki told Reuters in the video footage captured above. “The physical goal is to improve blood circulation and mental stimulation and the emotional goal is for it to release endorphins that help with the ‘happiness hormone’ that helps people regain confidence and strengthen the immune system.”
After first gaining popularity in Asia, particularly Indonesia and the Philippines, these supposedly calming snakeskin sessions spread to other countries, including Brazil, Russia, Israel and the US, the sun reported.
Sedki admitted it was not an easy sale for his Egyptian clientele at first: “When we first introduced the session, a lot of people were scared, they said, ‘Snakes, how can you use snakes ?!’ – but once we started explaining to people the benefits of this massage … the idea was accepted by many, especially those with a phobia or fear of snakes. “
Customer Diaa Zein, who encountered the slippery spa service while scrolling through his social media, said he experienced a “sense of relief and rejuvenation” as soon as the bugs were put on his back.
‘I was nervous at first [and] afraid there are snakes on my body, ”he said. “But the fear, anxiety and tension were reduced and the session gave a sense of relaxation as the snakes went over my back and had them there, boosted my confidence.”
The spa owner and clients say the massage gave them a boost of confidence and a feeling of total relaxation from the unusual feeling of snakes on the skin.
Sedki said he started offering the sessions to curious customers for free – but now charges about 100 Egyptian pounds ($ 6.37) for a 20 or 30 minute session.
However, hose massage shouldn’t be used as a substitute for traditional medical care or doctor visits, Sedki cautioned.