(JP/Indah Setiawati)" border="0" height="384" width="512">(JP/Indah Setiawati)

1. Reflexology in shopping centers

Shopping can be exhausting, especially when it involves a long grocery list and the temptation to window shop. Reflexology can rectify this and is on offer at a few malls in the capital city and its surrounding areas.

Places offering reflexology usually occupy a small area near a grocery store, near the elevators or other convenient locations.

Some have massage chairs that knead stiff muscles in the neck, back and arms and feet, while others have electric foot massage machines.

Reflexology by therapists is also available at some shopping malls. Risma Fauziah, 23, has worked as a therapist at a reflexology clinic in Cijantung Mall in East Jakarta for the past two years.

Hailing from Garut in West Java, Risma offers therapy to curious people who stop to watch him at work in an open area next to the cinema.

For Rp 15,000 (US$1.60), customers can enjoy 25 minutes of reflexology on their feet and calves. They can also have a back massage while fully clothed for the same price.

“This reflexology service has many branches in shopping centers such as in Bekasi, Tangerang and Pondok Gede. I also offer the service at home for Rp 100,000,” he told The Jakarta Post recently.

2. Massage in the park or traditional market

Visitors to the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta can find itinerant reflexology therapists in the park.

The service can also be found at some traditional markets in the city.

A masseur can be seen riding a bicycle with a sign advertising his services at Palmerah Market in Central Jakarta.

3. Massage at home or hotel

Jakartans living in a residential area often have access to traditional masseurs who have years of experience and who can go to their houses.

Some are also skilled at special baby massages.

It is also easy to get a masseur to visit a client at an apartment or hotel.

However, those unfamiliar with arranging a home visit should get clear information on the type of massage on offer as some advertise sex in the guise of massage.

T

he hectic capital may be draining and cause gloom among Jakartans, but they can recharge at a number of places throughout the city. The places may not be as fancy as a spa, but they have the same purpose of soothing muscles.

Here are five places where you can find affordable reflexology or massages.

(JP/Indah Setiawati)

1. Reflexology in shopping centers

Shopping can be exhausting, especially when it involves a long grocery list and the temptation to window shop. Reflexology can rectify this and is on offer at a few malls in the capital city and its surrounding areas.

Places offering reflexology usually occupy a small area near a grocery store, near the elevators or other convenient locations.

Some have massage chairs that knead stiff muscles in the neck, back and arms and feet, while others have electric foot massage machines.

Reflexology by therapists is also available at some shopping malls. Risma Fauziah, 23, has worked as a therapist at a reflexology clinic in Cijantung Mall in East Jakarta for the past two years.

Hailing from Garut in West Java, Risma offers therapy to curious people who stop to watch him at work in an open area next to the cinema.

For Rp 15,000 (US$1.60), customers can enjoy 25 minutes of reflexology on their feet and calves. They can also have a back massage while fully clothed for the same price.

'This reflexology service has many branches in shopping centers such as in Bekasi, Tangerang and Pondok Gede. I also offer the service at home for Rp 100,000,' he told The Jakarta Post recently.

2. Massage in the park or traditional market

Visitors to the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta can find itinerant reflexology therapists in the park.

The service can also be found at some traditional markets in the city.

A masseur can be seen riding a bicycle with a sign advertising his services at Palmerah Market in Central Jakarta.

3. Massage at home or hotel

Jakartans living in a residential area often have access to traditional masseurs who have years of experience and who can go to their houses.

Some are also skilled at special baby massages.

It is also easy to get a masseur to visit a client at an apartment or hotel.

However, those unfamiliar with arranging a home visit should get clear information on the type of massage on offer as some advertise sex in the guise of massage.

(JP/Indah Setiawati)
4. Reflexology walkways in parks

Of the 350 public parks in the capital city, only 10 are properly maintained.

Some of them have a reflexology footpath, which applies painful but stimulating pressure to the feet.

Some visitors also like to lie on the reflexology path to massage their backs.

Parks that have this facility include Monas and Suropati parks in Central Jakarta and Langsat Park and Tebet city park in South Jakarta.

5. Beauty salons

Beauty salons are no longer solely about haircuts and facial treatments as most of them also offer relaxation services in the form of cream baths and reflexology.

Introduced locally by veteran hairdresser Rudy Hadisuwarno, the cream bath has become a much sought-after treatment.

Clients have their heads massaged with a creamy solution that makes the hair shiny and fragrant. While under the hair steamer, clients can also have a relaxing back, neck and arm rub. 'JP