Ancient Art Of Knife Massage Helps Taiwanese Stay Sharp

Taiwan is as famous for massages as it is for its delicious food. But did you know that there is a massage style that uses knives and is actually very popular? Knife massages originated in China and date 2,500 years back. Taiwan is now one of the few places where unusual kind of massages are given to those who are brave enough.Show more

Knife massages are attracting hardcore spa enthusiasts to have cleavers chopped across their faces and bodies in a bizarre new wellness trend. This cutting edge mania sees customers 'relaxing' as sharpened cleavers are pressed in rhythmic motions all over them, with nothing but a thin piece of material separating their skin from the blade.

Hsiao Mei Fang, the owner of Ancient Art Of Knife Therapy Education Centre, in Taipei, Taiwan, has been performing the strange procedure for more than 13 years and says that they have created an original new knife therapy treatment.

'Everything has a Yin and a Yang, so instead of using one knife we use two. We don’t take kitchen knives but use special ones for the therapy,' Fang explains. People often think that this therapy is just 'for fun' but after having the therapy they see real results and recommend it to friends. At first they are scared because similar knives for cutting chicken and pork meat are used, and customers are afraid of being cut like that too.

The customers all fully clothed and emerge without a scratch. We couldn't help but admire the bravery of those who willingly submitted to a blood-free treatment. Driven by sheer curiosity, would you sign up to go under the knife?