Snake massage is a rising trend among Indonesian spas and other relaxation facilities in other countries including Israel and Czech Republic.
This unique regimen that make use of live snakes is said to have health benefits, most especially in beating stress and relaxing the tensed muscles in the body.
An article in The Hindu featured a spa in Jakarta - the capital city of Indonesia - which is famous for its snake massage therapy. According to the write-up, a professionally trained masseuse will be accompanying the customers throughout the snake massage.
The masseuse will be the one to place the snakes including a six-foot python to the body of the client, and the scaly reptiles can pretty much do whatever they want to.
Although the session is a bit frightening, many people have discovered the excitement, thrill, and most of all the relaxing benefits of snake massage.
One of these loyal customers is Feru Tilukay, who told AFP that the massage gives his body a "very unique sensation," while at the same time giving him a tolerable dose of "adrenaline rush."
The snake massage lasts for 90 minutes per session and it costs 480,000 rupiah or $43.
Although many activists are against the use of the snakes in the spa, specifically the Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa, longtime clients and loyal customers continue to patronize this regimen that promises one a unique experience.
The spa manager Paulus Abraham told AFP that although there are only a limited number of Indonesian clients, the spa is always full of foreign customers coming from Europe, South Korea, and Japan.
Additionally, the snake massage is also said to help people overcome their irrational fear of snakes.
"I used to be afraid of snakes, I had a phobia. But after getting this treatment several times, the phobia started going away and now I like snakes," 31-year-old Tilukay said.
Meanwhile, the Jakarta Animal Aid Network described the use of snakes in spas as a form of "exploitation."
However, Abraham insisted that the snakes used are not at all ill-treated or harmed in the process, adding that the snakes even enjoy the contact with the human skin as much as their clients enjoy the feel of the scaly reptiles.
"We don't treat them like workers, we treat them like our friends or family," said Abraham. "We kiss them, we hug them, we take good care of them."
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