Russian Platza Massage: Oak Leaves and Olive Oil Provide Unique Spa Experience

Tired of the same old stuff on the radio, I've begun listening more to NPR. Yesterday on the way home, I heard an audio postcard from a Manhattan-based NPR reporter explaining his recent visit to a Russian bathhouse.

I was both shocked and intrigued by this massage art. I work at a school that teacher massage therapy, and I tell prospective students all the time how wide a field it is. So wide that there are still little-known secrets, such as this traditional Russian method which lurks in hidden bathhouses most likely only in major metro areas. I had to share this with the AC community, so I did a little research on the topic.

HOW IT WORKS

The NPR reporter described his massage at the East Village Russian bathhouse:

He was in the hottest steam room he ever set foot in, a Russian steam room. A big Russian man rubbed his body with olive oil soap. Then, he took oak leaves, which were still attached to the branches (a broom-like contraption) out from a burlap sack. The massage therapist used the tips of the oak leaves to massage in the olive oil soap.

Then, out of nowhere, the therapist started to beat the NPR reporter with the oak leaves, which made a whapping noise. This went on for a little while.

Then, the therapist pulled up the reporter and took a bucket of cold water and threw it on him. He spun the reported around three times, shook his hand and sent him to the locker room.

Afterwards, the reporter said he felt like a million bucks. The Russian Platza does seem like a strange practice, but nonetheless, an intriguing one.

ADVANTAGES

--Oak leaves contain a natural astringent, which open pores and releases toxins from the body.

--When the pores are opened, oxygen gets into the body

--The oak leaves also take off the layers of dead skin.

--This is referred to as "Jewish Acupuncture"

Russian baths offer several other services, such as dead sea mud baths and other cleansing procedures, hence the bathhouse name.

SIDE NOTE: THE AUDIO POSTCARD

As an aside, the production of this audio postcard took me back to the days of my grandparents, when radio was king. The sounds in the background were all I had to go on as I listened to this diary-type story, so I was able to use my imagination. Radio production like this is something that seems to be dying. I enjoyed listening to this and will tune into NPR for more.