Philippine Massage - Hilot
The practice of Philippine massage, popularly known as hilot, is a way of life for the Filipinos. The age-old massage practice is indigenously Filipino and is associated with mysticism and elderly healers. Prior to the popularity and emergence of sophisticated and modern medical practices in the Philippines, Philippine massage or hilot was the massive form of healthcare. However, when modern medicine gained traction in the country, Philippine massage was set aside.
Because of the recent resurgence of alternative medicine and practices, the old ways of healing, including the Philippine massage, has been re-established. Now, because of the known and proven benefits of the practice, Philippine massage is given a much needed and well-deserved makeover. Thus, Philippine massage is now offered along with other different healing and relaxing massage techniques in upscale hotels and spas worldwide.
As hotel and spa clients from across the globe have become too hooked to Swedish and Thai massages, there is no doubt Philippine massage, with its all-natural and holistic approach, is becoming a significant part of a wellness regime. Researchers, sociologists and experts assert that the Philippine massage is both a culture and a philosophy. It is better than other massages because it relieves stress and at the same time heals and rejuvenates.
Philippine massage is based on thinking and principle that the human body is composed of major elements, namely, water, fire, air and earth. The application and practice of the massage is aimed at harmonizing such elements. Water signifies the blood, fire by the electric impulses in the body, air by the air people breathe and earth by the body's flesh and bones. Practitioners of Philippine massage assert that is those elements in the body are not functioning and existing in proportion, there would be sickness and discomfort. Philippine massage is all about attaining that proportion and harmony.
What is more unique and ideal about Philippine massage is that the massage techniques are often integrated and complemented by herbal medicines. That is why the effectiveness and potency of the massage practice goes beyond what normal massage types usually carry out. In the Philippines, the massage makes use of the most popular and useful herbs like the tanglad, lagundi, sambong and more native plants that have healing and therapeutic properties.
Modern science has been testifying to the natural healing properties of the Philippine massage. Observers assert that the practice is empowered by the scientific basis that usually backs and explains the reasonability and effectiveness of the massage therapy. While Philippine massage is regarded in the Philippines as a form of a cheaper and more affordable alternative medicine, across the globe, the massage is fast becoming an important therapeutic program.
