Do you know the massages where you are tapped with the side of your hand? In Taiwan, the "Dāoliáo" massage involves replacing the edge of the hand with steel knives! This kind of knife massage comes from methods belonging to traditional Japanese medicine and more than 2,000 years old.
During a walk in the streets of Taipei or in another city in Taiwan, it is possible to treat yourself to a massage that is completely out of the ordinary. Steeped in Taiwanese tradition , the 刀療 (Dāoliáo) actually translates to "knife therapy". As shown in the video visible at the end of the article, anyone can go to a massage parlor and receive this kind of treatment. Without a doubt, this practice is among the most impressive therapies in traditional Chinese medicine.
Derived from 2,000-year-old Japanese medicine methods, we lend to Dāoliáo many virtues . For example, the healing of psychological wounds, physical wounds or the improvement of sleep. Whether you adhere to it or not as a Westerner, this method is very popular with locals. Of course, anyone could freak out when they hear the term "knife massage". However, the practice is safe. Indeed, the practitioner uses two steel knives on patients protected by a thick fabric . In other words, there is no risk of injury.
You should know that knives are not used by chance. Indeed, these aim to target the points of the qì (氣) or "ch'i". In Chinese and Japanese cultures, this is a fundamental principle forming and animating the universe and life. For people sensitive to this principle, ch'i is at the origin of the universe and connects beings and things to each other. Thus, the Dāoliáo can be linked to acupuncture, a practice much better known to the general public. On the other hand, the knife massage also has the purpose of protecting clients by absorbing their negative energies.
Very spiritual, this practice involves the practitioner having clean and wholesome "energy". Thus, it must respect a very strict hygiene of life , between veganism and daily physical exercises from dawn (squats, stretching, etc.). The experts also practice a ritual before the first customer of the day. It is about a harmonization of the ch'i by giving knife blows on a pillow for half an hour. In addition, each client will also have to perform a physical exercise session for about ten minutes before being taken care of.
Here is a video showing the Dāoliáo, footage shot at the highly regarded Ancient Art of Knife Massage Education Center in Taipei:
