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You may have heard about, or even experienced, the Vichy shower massage spa treatment. But isn’t the only kind of water therapy massage that you can have lying down.
The table shower massage, which is often confused with the Vichy shower massage. It is also known as an Asian table massage.
Yet, they’re not the same thing.
So, now you may be wondering, what is a table shower massage? Read on to dispel your confusion…
What is a Table Shower Massage?
This style of water hydrotherapy originates from the special spas of Korea, Thailand, and Japan. They are only frequented by men.
It is still offered as a service in these ‘not always licensed’ establishments. These days you can also enjoy the benefits of a table shower massage in legal spas, some gyms, and even physical therapy centers.
As its name suggests, the table shower massage is a type of shower therapy where you lie down instead of standing up. It is also known as a Body Scrub/Wash Massage. This treatment aims to offer your body an invigorating and relaxing experience.
As its name suggests, the table shower massage is a type of shower where you lie down instead of standing up.
And while many people are familiar with the term table showers, there are others (which may include you) that don’t know exactly what they are. As well as what they can expect from having a table shower massage treatment.
The water table itself looks like a very shallow bath. You lie down while your therapist uses a shower head to clean your body.
This is what also makes it different from a Vichy shower massage. In the latter, you lie on a slab and have water jets hovering over you that drench you in water.
Traditionally, one lies naked on the table to get the full experience. But some state laws don’t allow for full nakedness. If this is the case, your therapist will offer you a pair of disposable underwear to put on during your treatment.
Or you also have the option to use a towel to cover your private areas.
Having a table shower massage won’t be a good choice for you if you’ll be uncomfortable lying either naked or half-naked. on the table in front of your massage therapist. Because even if you use a towel, your skin will be exposed at points during the massage.
If you’re still a bit worried about how naked you have to be, you can always call the spa beforehand. This is especially of importance if you are particular about having a male or female therapist.
Before you lie down on the table, be sure to have a shower beforehand to remove any excess oils, lotions, or creams that are sitting on the surface of your skin. This isn’t a Nuru Massage! Your therapist will probably remind you to do so anyway and will tell you to do so if you’ve just had a treatment like a body scrub or wrap.
What Happens During a Table Shower Massage?
Now that your body is ready for your treatment, get on the table and lie down on your stomach. Wait for instruction from your therapist, which will be for you to relax.
During your table shower massage, the therapist will begin to hose you down with warm jets of water. It will run down your body and drain away through the holes in the table. This process will continue for around 30 minutes to an hour, again depending on the spa’s offerings.
Depending on the spa, the water itself may be infused with aromatherapy oils. It will calm your senses to provide even more relaxation to your body. Besides the shower head, buckets of warm, cold, or hot water may also be poured over your body during the process.
Depending on the spa, the water itself may be infused with aromatherapy oils. It will calm your senses to provide even more relaxation to your body. Besides the shower head, buckets of warm, cold, or hot water may also be poured over your body during the process.
Also depending on where the therapist was trained, you may receive a salt scrub. Based on the Japanese Kasuri tradition, the therapist may use coarse exfoliating mitts to rub off your dead skin. which is what would happen if you went to have a table shower massage in Korea.
Again, before you get on the table, if you’re not okay with being completely naked, then use the disposable underwear provided. Your therapist will soap you up EVERYWHERE before getting down to the scrubbing part of the experience.
This helps boost circulation.
So, what’s the result of this treatment? Well, for starters, you’ll feel relaxed and clean. Your skin will feel baby soft and well-hydrated after sloughing off all your dead skin to help retain more water.
So, what’s the result of this treatment? Well, for starters, you’ll feel relaxed and clean. Your skin will feel baby soft and well-hydrated after sloughing off all your dead skin to help retain more water.
And to top it off, you’ll probably enjoy the experience so much that you may wonder why you never had this treatment before.
Fair Warning: When In Asia…
The Asian table shower massage, although offered in general spas, is usually a complimentary service that is done to finish off a body treatment. Manual massage may be included as part of the procedure to provide a more holistic experience.
However, in most Asian countries, the table shower is generally associated with massage parlors. Some of these also offer ‘special services’ that involve a more erotic experience.
Therefore, make sure you do your research on the spa you would like to visit first. So that you’re not surprised about what kind of treatment you’ll receive.
Make sure you do your research on the spa you would like to visit first so that you’re not surprised about what kind of treatment you’ll receive.
Conclusion
Now that you know what a table shower massage is, the next time you call up your local spa to book an appointment, why not also give this therapeutic and relaxing experience a try?
