This mushrooming industry is providing thousands of new jobs for the blind, who traditionally in Asia have been trained to do massage. ... Most (who work in the foot massage trade) come from poor rural area, and getting jobs in the city rubbing other people's feet offers a way out of poverty." Workers at some shops have only minimal training, leaving them wide open to competition from highly trained blind massage therapists who promise to deliver medicinal benefits at a competitive price." The price is $7.50 for eighty minutes. (Howard, Barbara, "China's Booming Reflexology Industry Gives Employment to the Blind," Howard Report, July 13, 2005)

"Virtually eliminated by police in 1998 in a prostitution crack down, these half-legit, half-illegal massage parlors have mushroomed throughout Beijing again to offer foot muscle therapy to tired workers as well as service on the sly to locals, travelers and expatriates. Mostly registered as beauty parlors or bathhouses, about 26,000 massage shops are now licensed in Beijing. "The parlors compete on details such as types of herbs used in the foot-soak water, the interior decor - from wood paneled walls to wall-lit art-deco atmosphere - and legitimate extra services such as full-body rubs. "Chinese believe every part of the human body corresponds to a part of the foot sole and that a skillful foot massage can relieve ailments in corresponding areas elsewhere in the body." ("Beijing sees boom in foot massage parlors")

(Red.anm: This text is from newsmail sent by http://www.reflexology-research.com/. The authors are Barbara and Kevin Kunz.)