The Asian table shower is offered at many Asian spas and is a simple way to cleanse the body before a massage. It is similar to and often called a Vichy shower, in which water is splashed over the body before a treatment to cleanse skin and open pores.
Preparation
In most cases, all clothing must be removed before entering the shower room, which may have one or several flat tables. After bathing thoroughly, you will be directed to the shower table and told whether to lay first on your back or on your stomach.
Water Temperature
Depending on the treatment you’ve chosen, buckets of hot, warm or cold water will be poured over your body several times during your treatment.
Asian Spas
You can find this treatment mostly at Korean, Thai and Japanese spas. But this type of Asian table shower is also offered at some Western and European spas.
Common Treatments
The Asian table shower is often used with Japanese spa treatments such as akasuri (salt scrub) and the Korea spa treatment called the body scrub, in which the masseuse uses coarse mitts to rub away dead skin.
Tips and Warnings
The Asian table shower is often associated with massage parlors that also offer sex; therefore, be cautious and contact the spa directly to inquire about details of their services.
Some spas offer disposable underwear to those clients who are uncomfortable with full nudity.
References
Writer Bio
LeJarie Battieste-Noguchi is a Japanese-to-English translator and writer. She taught English in Japan for three years and was Researcher/News Reporter for a leading Japanese newspaper. Battieste-Noguchi is also an author of an encyclopedia chapter on modern music in Southeast Asia for Greenwood Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese/East Asian cultures from the University of California, Los Angeles.