As young Shanghainese discover the health benefits of foot reflexology, this ancient traditional Chinese treatment is coming back into vogue in a big way, writes Xu Wei.

At the spacious room of Shu Ya liang Zi Foot Therapy, a professional healthcare chain, customers enjoy a 90-minute, 88-yuan (US$10.6) service which includes soaking the feet in a special bath steeped with 28 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines and a hand-and-foot massage. It’s a therapy that leaves customers in a state of utter relaxation, both physically and mentally.

“Foot therapy is an ideal treatment, advocated by the World Health Organization,” says Li Xueren, director of the chain. “With people’s rising awareness of the quality of their lives, we have witnessed a considerable increase in our customers, who are eager to gain the health benefits from the bottom of their feet.”

The majority of its 22,000 permanent customers, according to Li, are white-collar workers who are obsessed with the pressure of work and eager to find out an outlet for release. (Shanghai Daily News 5th April 2004)