It doesn't take too much time to have your body massaged, but the feeling of relaxation and pleasure has a long-term effect on your body, brain and lifestyle. The notion of massage, as well as body cleansing or facial masks, has come to Egypt from many countries like Turkey, Thailand and Morocco; Egyptians are familiar with names like the ‘Moroccan bath' and ‘Thai massage', but they don't really know much about them. The Moroccan bath, a form of body cleansing massage, has become popular with Egyptian brides and bridegrooms. "In Egypt, there might only be one bath at a massage centre, but in Morocco the centres normally have several baths and they're much bigger," says Lamia Fekri el-Guindi, 39, the owner of a massage and spa centre in Maadi. "Ladies in Morocco usually have facial massages and deep cleansing baths that remove dead skin, with the masseuse using a soft cloth known as a lufa." Lamia adds that the materials used in facial massage differ from country to country, for example, in Egypt, the lufa is a kind of plant. As for Thai massage, the person being massaged wears pyjamas and lies on the floor, where he/she is massaged using special herbs. In Thailand, what's nice is that massage is a family affair; any member of the family can massage any other member. Massage centres in Thailand are as common as cafés in Egypt. "If a woman feels tired while shopping, she simply pops in to one of these centres for a foot massage," Lamia told the Egyptian Mail in an interview. Thai massage is not that common in Egypt, although some Egyptian sportsmen and foreigners do have this kind of massage here. "There is a misconception among Egyptian men that massage centres are for doing something naughty with the masseuses. "I began with women-only massages, but then I started massaging men. But some men are strict and don't like being massaged by a lady, while other men don't like a man to massage them. "I employ a Moroccan woman, a Moroccan man and a Thai girl," continued Lamia, adding that Egyptian masseurs and masseuses are still not very professional. They also want a large salary and quit at the drop of a hat. The massage has a noticeable impact on the body and brain. Lamia explained that the person massaging you begins with the leg and moves in a direction counter to the flow of blood, as this actually helps dissolve clots and improve the blood flow, stimulating the brain and making you feel fresh, vivid and active. "An oil made from flowers, fruit, herbs and sweet wood, which helps induce relaxation, is used." Manual massage is better than massage using devices. As well as Thai massage, Lamia's centre offers aroma relaxing massage, foot reflexology, face massage, anti-cellulite massage and Swedish massage. It costs LE300 (around $55) for Thai massage, LE270 (about $50) for aroma relaxing massage, LE200 ($33) for anti-stress, LE140 ($25) for foot reflexology, LE100 ($18) for face massage, LE245 ($44) for anti-cellulite and LE170 ($30) for a half-hour massage and LE270 for Swedish massage, el-Guindi said. She added that the prices normally rose at the beginning of each year, while prices also differed from place to place and according to the type of each massage. Massage is good for people who have had to spend a long time in a hospital bed after surgery; massage is good for their muscles. "Meanwhile, cardiac patients and pregnant women should consult doctors first before being rubbed," Lamia warns.
