JEDDAH, 18 April 2004 — Anyone who has had a massage will tell you that it can melt away tension, provide momentary pleasure, and it is a perfect antidote to a tough day, a long travel or a hard game.
And the good news, at least in Jeddah, is that another 60 members of the community in Jeddah are about to join the growing ranks of masseuses/masseurs and reflexologists. With more practitioners, it should follow that the cost of massage would be affordable to many.
The present crop of soon-to-be massage therapists are being trained by the Filipino Women Overseas Workers (Filwow), in cooperation with East-West Hara Acupressure Center.
Filwow’s Reflexology and Swedish Massage Workshop were conducted during the past two Fridays and is to continue for two more Fridays, said the group’s chairperson Evelyn Santos.
“The training is part of our program to provide our compatriots some skills that would be useful to them in earning extra income,” said Mrs. Santos, who is also an official of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).
The resource persons who were invited to teach how to rub the right way presented a numbers of applications on massage and reflex.
Danny Mark Tuvilla, a licensed massage therapist of the Department of Health in the Philippines, said reflexology and Swedish massage, both forms of massage, are fast becoming popular nowadays.
He said people are even more conscious of their health that they are now turning to reflexology, thus making it a popular livelihood. He cautioned, however, that massage should not be taken to mean no more need for doctors.
“Although massage boasts of a variety of healing benefits, the practice is not meant to replace medical treatment. If you have a serious medical condition, see your physician first before visiting a massage therapist,” said Tuvilla, who is also the training desk coordinator and spa consultant of the East-West Hara Acupressure Center.
According to Tuvilla, the Swedish massage developed by Per Heinrik Ling of Sweden in the early 1800s, is primarily used for relaxation developed.
He said there are five strokes used in Swedish massage, namely, effleurage (a smooth, gliding stroke); petrissage (kneading); friction (a circular rubbing movement); tapotement (short blows with the sides of the hands) and vibration (rapidly shaking the hands over an area of the body). All of these strokes were illustrated during the workshop.
Wendy Pino, a reflexologist of Khalid Idriss Hospital, said massaging specific areas — known as reflex zones — in the feet, hands ears and skin’s surface could improve circulation, ease pain and promote relaxation.
“It is used primarily for stress-related disorders such as back pain, headaches and high blood pressure,” she added.
A film clip on the “Basic Life Support” was shown as one of the highlights of the event held in the International Philippine School in Jeddah.
Fe Espiritu, a nurse at King Faisal Hospital, one of the guest speakers, said it is necessary to react the right way in an emergency and apply the first aid.
Apart from Espiritu, Jane Hechanova, a nurse of Erfan Hospital and other speakers explained the importance of having a thorough knowledge of the human body parts before conducting reflex and Swedish massage to avoid mistakes on pressing the wrong parts of the body.
Filwow’s pool of trainors also include Rendo Tumacder, Rose Tiglao and Ella Oray, all private practitioners and instructors.
Santos said participants will be issued a certificate of attendance upon completion of the workshop, so that they can have something to show when they practice their new-found skill. Those interested in the training may contact Ella Oray, Filwow vice chair, at 052-939711 or 059-657129, or Evelyn Santos at 052-534580.
During the same occasion, assistant Labor Attaché David Des Dicang inducted into office the group’s officers for the year 2004-2005. The officers, apart from Santos and Oray, are: Rose Tiglao, assistant vice president; Evelyn Gomez, secretary; Liza Balmediano, treasurer; and Alice Delto, PRO.
The directors are Jamilah Miguel, Mary Ann Pomer, Cris Agbayani, Billy Ramos and Sally Pe?aflor.