Fish Spa Phenomena
The Fish Spa Phenomena
The Fish Spa has its origins in Turkey where the 'Spa Fish' Garra rufa is now protected from commercial exploitation. Something of the history and expansion of the Fish Spa Phenomena has already been described in 'Is The Fish Spa a Con or a Cure?' which was researched and written in May 2009.
Since that time the Fish Spa has taken off big time and especially so in Asia where they have become something of a 'must do' novelty for tourists. Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines and now even the United Arab Emirates all have their share of Fish Spa's. The first official Fish Spa to open in the UK opened in 2010.
Depending on the country in which the spa is located the claims of the benefits offered will differ.
Pattaya in Thailand is an extremely good model to represent how the Fish Spa Phenomena has taken off. Just three years ago there was just one Fish Spa located in a Beauty Salon on Third Road. The next two to appear were one close to Monster World and one located close to Starbucks on Second Road. Neither of these seemed to be doing a roaring trade. There was only casual interest. Then almost overnight the Fish Spa took off, big time.
In Pattaya in the latter part of 2010 Fish Spa's can be found in or outside (sometimes both) practically every shopping mall. There are shops devoted to the Fish Spa and Fish Spas can even be found in Bars. Several Massage Parlours also have a Fish Spa on site. When twinned with a massage parlour or a bar sometimes there will be small change in the name from 'Fish Spa' to 'Fish Massage' and there can even be a move away from just dangling ones feet in the water to full immersion.
They are popular because there is novelty value and they are especially popular with Russian tourists.
Costs will depend on the location of the Fish Spa. This full body fish massage is situated at the entrance to Walking street. Off the main drag you could get a full hour for half the price.
Twenty minutes for 100 Baht is quite cheap too. 150 to 200 is not unusual for the same length of time.
The above is typical of the arrangement in and outside shopping malls. Your feet will be washed and dried first. You then gently lower your legs into the water and the fish start their work.
The above is in a bar. You will note that the clients are not only drinking but smoking as well which hardly makes it an ideal environment for the fish. This is purely a novelty experience for the customers. They can get an oil massage after the fish massage just across the road and a soapy massage two doors up.
This same bar also allows full immersion massage provided that the customer brings a bathing costume.
REALLY?
It is hard to believe that a Fish Spa could help with some of the claims made below.
Fish Spa Therapy
The Fish Spa is definitely a Phenomena and also something of a Fad. It still has a lot of mileage in it as a business as it is relatively cheap to both set up and run and with the right location and pricing can be extremely lucrative.
As it moves into Europe it will get something of a boost and once it is proved that there are some genuine benefits and curatitive powers the Fish Spa may well be with us for a long time to come. Undoubtedly it is beneficial to those with psoriasis. Whereas it may not cure it can give tremendous relief.
I have watched the Fish Spa Phenomena boom and the bubble has not burst yet. There is money to be made here, big money. If you are interested in setting up your own Fish Spa you need to know more about the fish and the set up.
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