Chapter 1
The Problem and Its Background
Introduction
Massage has been celebrated in the writings if poets, philosophers, historians, and physicians from ancient to modern times. From its beginnings, massage has been waxed and waned as a respected form of health promotion and healing. The philosophy, technical practice, and goals of massage have evolved through the millennia and continue to change today. There is considerable debate as to the etymology of the word massage. Most likely it is from the Arabic messa, to touch, the Greek, massein, to kned; in India, dampua, to knead also and where the word “shampoo” came from; or possibly the Sanskrit mach, to strike, press or condense.
In other countries, the underlying philosophies and strategies of touch therapy as one of the stress reduction programs have modified very little with the passage of time. In an age of high technology in medicine and indeed all aspects of modern life, soft tissue massage continues to be an instrument as a chord attached to this indigenous healing and medical practices of our origins. The increasing movement toward a more holistic move to the management of disease and to contribute to the prosperity of wellness will ensure a place for this ancient art in the present millennia and beyond.
Today, here in Metro Manila, many types of spas have sprouted in hotels, resorts, so-called day spas and wellness centers. One of their more popular services is the massage, specifically Thai massage, traditional European massage, Indonesian massage and others, which often originate from these places. However, the researcher has noticed that there has not been one spa here in the Philippines that offer massage of truly Filipino origin, whereas it should have been one of the services that these different spas should be offering.
Among the government agencies which have pushed for the development of an indigenous type of massage is the Department of Tourism (DOT), in line with their health tourism program. The DOT has noticed the increasing popularity of spa tourism and connected it with the abundance of the required natural resources for its development, e.g. thermal springs, tropical climate, and rich natural environment, making the Philippines and ideal spa destination.
Lately, the DOT has endorsed the researcher to be one of the chief proponents in studying and researching on developing a proposed module on traditional Filipino massage therapy. This is in line with the DOT’s development and promotion of Health Tourism and most importantly, aim to integrate and promote traditional Filipino healing practices.
Background of the Study
This researcher has been a long-time practitioner of the art of soft tissue massage, which is one of the modalities that is available in many of today’s spas. He has been teaching massage to a number of establishments in Metro Manila and has students in many parts of the country. Among his students are a number of practicing “hilots” who take their courses in massage to upgrade their skills and to acquire more respectability. These “hilots” have procedures and have practiced their rituals on their “patients”, and their massage therapy has been perceived as effective, are less expensive and in a way, depict what traditional Filipino massage therapy really is.
This researcher has noted with great interest the methods and procedures of the hilots” and the great number of patients who patiently form long line to avail of the hilot’s services. This more or less inspired him to make a study especially to respond to the thesis recommendation of Ma. Rebecca V. Maraña who recommended that “the hilot must be trained to a more scientific approach without modifying the traditional Filipino massage technique. It is the researcher’s hope that through this study, this indigenous healer will gain greater knowledge, better techniques, more respectability and perhaps, elevate him to the status on par with the professional masseur doing traditional European massage, traditional Thai massage and many other traditional foreign massage techniques.
This researcher became aware of the DOT’s Health Tourism Program which one of the components is the development of a type of massage that characterizes in our very own culture particularly the techniques as practiced by the “hilot” and to give such method international recognition and foster competitiveness of the “hilots” globally.
This researcher went to the DOT to inquire about this program and he was given literature by the department. He informed the department of his plan to make a study on Filipino massage, particularly as practiced by the “hilot” with the end in view of producing a module that will be used in teaching students of massage on the techniques and procedures of the “hilot”. He was encouraged to do so and the department has promised to give him all-out support by sending a memorandum letter of endorsement for this study to the researcher for him to be accommodated at their DOT regional and local offices.
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to produce a module for the instruction of students studying massage, particularly in the traditional Filipino massage called “hilot”. Specifically, this study will answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the Filipino “hilot” in terms of:
a. age,
b. gender,
c. religion,
d. civil status,
e. number of years of experience as hilot, and
f. source of knowledge?
2. What are the common reasons why Filipinos go to the “hilot”?
3. What are the “hilots” concepts of how their massage therapy works?
4. How can the existing “hilot’s” massage be professionalized and improved in terms of it being:
a. scientific,
b. effective, and
c. authentic?
5. What module can be formulated to make traditional Filipino massage truly scientific, effective and authentic, which can be included in the training of the “hilots” and the students of massage?
Significance of the Study
This researcher is of the firm belief that Filipino massage deserves to be placed on par with the other massage techniques coming from foreign countries. Thus, this study will be of great significance, first, to the Department of Tourism which may use the information from this study to promote the “hilot” as a worthy alternative to the different types of foreign massage. It can help boost its health tourism program and promote Filipino “hilots” to tourists.
Moreover, the “hilots” may be better informed about their craft in terms its being scientific, effective and authentic. This will make their craft more professional and more accessible to their clients.
This study will also make the Filipino people more aware that the “hilot” is a worthy alternative to the more expensive therapies being marketed in the country today. It will give them a better appreciation of this traditional massage therapy and how it can relieve them of their body’s tension.
Furthermore, this study will benefit future researches on the “hilot” as it provides a description of how to do proper traditional Filipino massage.
Assumption
This study is based on the basic assumption that the “hilot” possesses skills that may prevent illness by using their skills in releasing blockages and stimulating the immune system by boosting an individual’s healing capacity.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will develop a module that will instruct students of massage and “hilots” on traditional Filipino massage therapy. It will provide a demographic profile of today’s “hilot”. Moreover, it will describe how the existing “hilot’s” massage be professionalized and improved in terms of it being scientific, effective and authentic.
This researcher will source out and interview “hilots” from different parts of the country and ask them to describe their methods. This researcher will also ask their patients on the effectivity of the method.
This study will be limited to the description of traditional Filipino massage therapy only, and will only mention in passing the more popular shiatsu and Swedish massages.
Definition of Terms
For the purposes of this study, the following terms have been defined operationally:
Authentic. Retaining the true Filipino nature of the Filipino traditional massage therapy.
Day Spa. A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-to-day basis.
Destination Spa. A spa which has for its sole purpose to provide clients with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, education programming and on-site accommodations where spa cuisine or healthy food is offered.
Effective. The therapeutic cure provided by traditional Filipino massage therapy as perceived by the patients featured in this study.
Hilot. The Filipino term for massage therapist-cum-healer-therapist who uses traditional Filipino massage therapy in relieving different types of body-related aches and pains.
Massage. Manual soft tissue manipulation which includes holding, causing movement, and/or applying pressure to the body for remedial or restorative purposes (Reyes and Luna-Reyes, 1994).
Massage Modality. Alternative health care modality or variety such as reflexology, acupressure or Japanese shiatsu, Swedish massage and other similar methods.
Massage therapist. A trained person or practitioner who has passed the massage therapist examination and qualified to apply manual massage techniques or manual soft tissue manipulation, which includes holding, causing movement or applying pressure to the body.
Module. A compilation and guide for the proper procedures in practicing traditional Filipino massage therapy based on true experiences of the “hilots”
Professionalized. Making Filipino traditional massage therapy more scientific in approach to improve its efficacy but still retaining its authenticity.
Resort or Hotel Spa. A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components.
Scientific. Traditional Filipino massage therapy that follows the proper guidelines according to studies done in anatomy and physiology.
Spa. A facility which exudes a tranquil environment, offering various amenities and services intended to relieve stress, pamper the body and make one feel relaxed and rejuvenated to promote a healthier way of life.
Traditional Filipino Massage Therapy. The term referring to the procedure done by the “hilots” in providing body relief to their patients.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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