I was traumatized and abused by Ginger.

Curiosity killed the cat! In this incident I am the "Cat". I always love to try different kinds of spa treatments that are available in the market and because of that I have so many funny incidents to share. Once, I went to Kuala Lumpur with a group of friends and someone from the group suggested to go massage. Immediately, I raised my hand for approval.  

After 20 minutes, we arrived at this decent looking bungalow and we were led to a living room with spa music and a small water fountain feature on the table. I saw a spa menu displayed on the coffee table, I picked it up and had a good look of its content. One of the staffs, served us a cup of super spicy and hot ginger tea as a welcome drink. Then I was told that their special this month was Ginger scrub. My eye brighten up with excitement. I was quite interested as I have never try this before. So I had chosen a Ginger scrub and Malay Urut (Malay Traditional Massage) for my 2 hours spa treatments.

I was politely assigned to a big treatment room, instructed to change into a disposable underwear and laid down on the massage bed to be prepared for the treatment. My masseur (Khai) excused himself to prepare the ginger scrub. Distinctly, I could hear noise made from mortar and pestle for almost a good 10 minutes and it sounded like just a few steps away from me. I was thinking probably was just next door neighbors preparing dinner as I was literally in a private estate. 

Khai came into the room with 2 bowls which I had no clue what was inside. In this point of time, the air condition was still in full blast and I didn't request to off it as I was still feeling hot from the 33 degrees outside the room. I excitedly got ready for the ginger scrub. Without any warning, Khai clumsily scooped a big portion of raw ginger mash, splashed all over on my back and started rubbing violently as if I owned him money. It was so shocking and rather stressful but me as a therapist myself naturally respect and more forgiving even though this standard of service was rather "unique". Few minutes later, a strong sense of tingling cold and spiciness cooling effect hitting on my whole body. I hold my breath as I thought that was supposed to be. Another 10 minutes later when I realized that the strong concoction of ginger mash and juice reacted on my skin was so unbearable, I sounded the alarm by calling STOP!!!!. I dashed to the bathroom and frantically jumping and hopping like a mad dog, in this case a "mad cat", rinsed off the ginger mash as fast as I could. After a good and long rinse, I hold my composure and acted normally back to the massage bed to continue my massage. Khai was in shocked too and I know he was a relatively new masseur with no proper training at all and he did not know how to react as well.  I just awkwardly smiled at him and instructed him to continue with the massage. 

After a long 2 hour of treatments, which started very badly. I was led to the living room again to wait for my friends to end their spa treatments. And again. Ginger tea was served!! Oh no!! Ginger again! I think I must be shivering when that cup of Ginger tea was in front me. Obviously, I was the laughing stock of that day when I told them my horrific encounter with the Ginger scrub.

My lesson learned was given chance in future I must have a good look inside the bowl or even touch the content before allow the masseur carry out the treatment, especially body scrub. I must say the owner of the spa was too creative by using such self concocted scrub recipe. Oh, my god!!! 

Their excitement of having Chair massage is definitely my privilege!

When I just started been a professional therapist, providing massages for mum and dad was quite a challenge. They would shyly decline my offer as they felt that doing massages is how I make a living and they feel bad to impose on me. Another reason was, just like most of the Asian families, kids (in my generation) usually do not express gratitude or love by having body contact with our parents example like hugging . Thus their thought of me massaging them, felt a little odd and uncomfortable but after multiple attempts of offering and with lots of persuasion eventually they gave in.

These days, obviously it is so much easier and I can tell that every time when I just pull out a chair from the dining table with one hand and with cushions on the other hand,  a big smile display on their face and spontaneously they will eagerly adjust their sitting position, arrange those pillows themselves and getting ready for my massage  hahaha. ( I roll my eyes). I try my best to arrange a short session of  20 to 30 minutes weekly or fortnightly.  I believe this is a wonderful way to show my love and care for them, at the same time I can regularly check on their physical well being (I think you must agree with me, some elderly always try to avoid doctor when they are not well. Usually is because of the medical cost or simply feel too troublesome to deal with it)  . Another awesome advantage is during the massage session I get to spend more quality time with them and naturally the relationship we have are getting stronger and stronger.

Most of the time, I prefer to offer them the massage session 2 hours after their meals. I will focus on areas like head, neck, shoulders, arms, upper and lower back. By kneading, pressing, squeezing and pounding. Like all effective massages, it definitely helps their improve circulation of their blood and fluid, loosen up those tension and stiffness. With regular sessions needless to say it will strengthen their mobility and flexibility.

To conclude, at their age nothing is more important than to maintain their health and have a peaceful life style.