After a long and exhausting day trip from Thailand to Malaysia’s capital, Dom sank into the comfort of a coin-operated massage chair at Kuala Lumpur International Airport before our return to Bangkok. These chairs, commonly found in airports, malls, and lounges, come to life with the drop of a coin or the swipe of a card, delivering mechanical massages through rollers, vibrations, and air cushions. They are designed to mimic techniques such as kneading, tapping, and shiatsu. Shiatsu (指圧, shi = finger, atsu = pressure) is a Japanese therapy that emerged in the early 20th century. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine yet informed by Western anatomy and physiology, it involves applying rhythmic pressure with thumbs, fingers, palms, or even elbows and knees along energy pathways known as meridians. The goal is to stimulate circulation, release tension, support the body’s natural healing, and restore balance to the flow of ki (気, vital energy).
Many massage chairs highlight a “shiatsu mode,” as their rollers can closely replicate the alternating pressure of human hands. As Dom leaned back and closed his eyes, the chair’s movements began to work out the fatigue of travel, offering a brief moment of calm in the bustling airport.
#massagechair #shiatsu #指圧
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