Reflexology in Asia: ‘little masseurs’ provide micro-massage

Reflexology micro-massage

‘Micro massage’ in Kuala Lumpur: Dipp your tired feet and you will be treated to an instant ‘micro-massage‘. SOURCE: ‘Little Masseurs’ to pamper your tired feet

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) – The ‘little masseurs’ housed in the aquarium-like pool are not only a sight to behold, but try dipping your tired feet among them and you will be treated to an instant ‘micro-massage‘. ‘Doctor Fish’, which is the name given to the little masseurs, will pamper you via the process of the natural exfoliation of the skin layer over your feet as they nibble away the dead layers of the epithelium. The tingling sensation promotes the skins blood circulation, leaving you with a healthy, glowing skin. “Doctor Fish has a unique dietary habit where it would naturally peck away at the dead skin. It is also believed to be able to bring benefits to those suffering from psoriasis”. Veron Wong, the sales and marketing executive of “Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa”, said Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa, which opened its doors to the public in October 2007, received the Malaysia Book of Records accolade for being the first fish therapy spa pool in a shopping mall, in April this year. Besides the first outlet, which is located at Lot 5.01.09, Level 5, at the Pavilion KL, “Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa” has another branch at the Mid-Valley Megamall. According to Wong, a third outlet is in the pipe line and scheduled to be opened in Penang August this year whilst the fourth one would be in the Klang Valley and is expected to be unveiled also in 2008. KENKO STORY: Wong said, “Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa” was the brainchild of Dr Jimi Tan, a Singaporean and the founder of the Kenko chain of Wellness Spas and Foot Reflexology Centres. According to Wong, Dr Tan visited a fish spa in Japan two years ago during a holiday and came back with the idea of setting up a similar establishment in Malaysia. Wong said, Kenko Fish spa at the Pavilion is aimed at foreign tourists and high-end customers. “At the Pavilion, we have many tourists from the Middle East, Korea and Japan,” she said, adding that the outlet in Mid-Valley Megamall attracts more of the locals including families and youngsters. The fish is legally protected from commercial exploitation in Turkey due to concerns on over-harvesting for export. Its unique dietary habits (eating away dead and diseased skin of bathers) were first discovered in the waters of a hot spring near Kangal, Turkey. “The Turkish treat the Garra rufa as their national treasures. They do not export them. What we got from our suppliers are those from a family of Garra rufa that have been successfully bred in Asia and from countries near Turkey like Jordan and Syria,” explained Wong.Wong said, Kenko Fish spa at the Pavilion is aimed at foreign tourists and high-end customers. “At the Pavilion, we have many tourists from the Middle East, Korea and Japan,” she said, adding that the outlet in Mid-Valley Megamall attracts more of the locals including families and youngsters. Weekend customers, she said can reach up to 500 per day while on weekdays, the number is around 200 a day. According to Wong, even though fish spas are mushrooming, “Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa”, being the pioneer in this business, is already a household name. “Our fish spa has the ambiance which sets the mood and allow our customers to relax. “We also ensure the water in the pool is hygienic and clean. It is changed daily and treated with 2000W Ultraviolet sterilization to kill virus and bacteria in the water,” said Wong. The standard Kenko fish spa half-hour treatment is priced at RM38 for adults and RM19 for children below 12 years old. Children below four years old are free-of-charge. There is also a private room at for the fish spa at the Pavilion outlet with two pools and the charge is RM58 per person. Besides fish spa, customers can also seek other therapeutic treatments including foot, hand and shoulder massages at “Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa”, which opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.

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