The long stretch of Annapolis is peppered with massage parlors of all sorts, from Thai and pa-Thai (or Thai-Thai-an) to those you just know are there for extra services.
Most of these massage parlors (well, the clean ones) basically offer the same things: Swedish, Thai, combination. Some of the more, well, special ones, use aromatherapy or volcanic stones.
One lazy afternoon after a meeting, when traffic was extra horrible I didn’t want to go back up to QC, I decided to walk around Annapolis to get a massage. I chanced upon a place called Takshing Health Care and Beauty Center, and I was sold when I read a sign saying they offer electrotherapy massage. No extra service here, I thought (it’s always those Thai-Thai-an ones), plus I knew I was in for a treat, not having experienced any massage that involves electricity.
I may be experimental but I make sure I know what I’m getting into so I looked for their manager and asked a couple of questions.
First of all, I asked if it was safe. Of course, the manager, said yes, explaining that they only use 12 volts, which is very low. She assured me that it won’t hurt – that all I will feel is a dull, tingling sensation.
I asked for the benefits, too, and she explained that the electrotherapy massage unclogs blood vessels in the body, improving blood circulation. That means all the vitamins, nutrients, blood, and oxygen get distributed in the body evenly.
Satisfied, I said, let’s start!
I was first asked to choose a scent for the lotion to be used for the massage. I then got a foot soak, which is important because once inside the room and lying comfily on the bed, an electronic node is strapped on to the foot – this is how the current enters the body. The therapist steps on a grounding mat, and completes the circuit so that any part of the body she touches feels the current.
After applying lotion to my lower leg, the therapist then started sending current to it. The manager was correct; it was exactly like a dull, tingling sensation. It was pretty neat, actually. I felt like a science experiment.
When she massaged my hand, however, some of my fingers twitched, which bothered me for the first few seconds. It continued for several more seconds, and the therapist didn’t stop so I thought it was normal. It was a little shocking when she worked on my shoulder because it twitched, as well. It was uncontrollable, and she didn’t say anything about it so I assumed it was also normal, just like the twitching of my fingers. In fact, my fear disappeared after some seconds. More than anything, I felt like laughing coz I thought I looked funny, especially to the therapist who was most probably trying to stop herself from laughing.
After the hour-long massage, I got to talk with the manager again and shared my twitching episodes, which she said normally happen.
The electrotherapy massage doesn’t involve oil or stretching or a lot of hard kneading. It’s unlike any massage I’ve experienced in the past. One good thing about it is that afterwards I felt light and energized and ready to tackle the world again, unlike most massages that leave me feeling sore and beaten by three men.
Takshing also offers a facial with neck, shoulders and arms massage (PHP1200 for 60 minutes), and foot reflexology (PHP700 for 60 minutes), but their signature offering is the electrotherapy massage (PHP1000 for 60 minutes, PHP1500 for 90 minutes, PHP2000 for 120 minutes), something very unique that not a lot of centers offer (I think they’re the only one offering it, actually).
Takshing Health Care and Beauty Center is located at the Richbelt Terraces, Annapolis Street, Greenhills
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