Touch

Chinese massage is based on the theory of jing luo or energy channels. The body is believed to be a network of pathways which transport Qi and blood, regulates yin and yang, protects against external pathogens and links the internal organs with the exterior. Blockage of the jing luo causes pain and is intimately connected with health problems.

Traditional Chinese massage uses the hands, arms, elbows and fingers as tools to stimulate various acupuncture points to correct imbalances in the flow of Qi.

Naturally, at the end of a long day roaming the Shanghai streets, I was a willing recipient of this long pedigree of healing care, and really, who doesn't need their chakras balanced?

For a nominal fee, tired and aching feet are pampered for one (mostly) blissful hour. To start, your neck and shoulders are massaged while your feet are soaked in hot buckets of medicinal tea. And always too soon, attention is turned towards the feet and calves which are rubbed, kneaded, pressed and slapped into contentment.

Unfortunately, not all massage places are always readily recognizable (some only have a pair of feet posted on the door), though legitimate masseuses are easily spotted by the large callous on the first knuckle of the pointer finger which is used for kneading. If you have walked into a ‘massage’ parlour instead, the lingerie and copious make-up, should be a dead give-away that its likely more than feet getting rubbed.