Hilot is form of Filipino massage that is used in traditional Filipino medicine. This healing art is still practiced in rural areas in the Philippines today. For many rural people it is their only source of medical care.
While massage is a major part of this healing art, practitioners do everything from setting bones to delivering babies. They are also herbalist.
Like acupressure, shiatsu and Ayurvedic medicine, this form of traditional medicine relies on principles of energy both to diagnose and treat illness. A good practitioner is said to be able to tell what's wrong with you by looking at you and sensing your energy.
There are four elements that make up the body.
fire = the body's electrical impulses
water = the blood
earth = the flesh and bones
air = the breath
If any of these elements are out of balance, illness results. Filipino Massage is used to balance the elements of the body. Massage is believed to manipulate the body's electrical current allowing the body to heal itself.
The worldwide success of Thai massage, has inspired the Filipino government to promote hilot. Practitioners now work at five-star hotels in the Philippines. You can even find practitioners giving Filipino massage in some spas in the West.
It is a deep tissue massage combined with some energy work. One thing that sets it apart from other massages is that the therapist applies warm banana leaves covered with coconut oil to you before starting the massage. Banana leaves have antiseptic qualities. The leaves also help the therapist detect imbalances in your body. This allows the therapist determine how to treat you.
This type of massage is very individualized. There is no set pattern to the work. The therapist massages you were needed according to your imbalances.
