(5 Dec 1995) English/Nat
In Asia and the Pacific, the mention of the words massage parlor brings to mind images of the region's rampant sex industry and the problems associated with it.
But in the tiny Pacific nation of Micronesia, massage is a traditional form of healing.
Efforts are now being made to revive the ancient art of massage and blend Western and traditional healing.
This man's broken foot is being treated in a Western-style medical clinic in Micronesia.
This woman's weight and stress problems are being treated in a massage parlour.
There's nothing risque about this massage - locals and tourists alike come here to be rejuvenated by the healing power of these hands.
And while broken bones may require the attention of a Western hospital, many other health problems can be treated without Western drugs, using traditional methods.
Up until recently, however, some of these traditional forms were dying out.
Margaret Iriarte is the wife of a traditional leader of Pohnpei, one of the 600 islands which make up the Federated States of Micronesia.
She was taught the art of massage by her Samoan father.
Although he was well versed in traditional healing, he also had a Western medical degree.
He lived most of his life here, running a Western-style medical clinic until his death in 1988.
Western medicine, in fact, has taken hold here.
Micronesia has been a trust territory of the U-S for decades and Western drugs are readily available.
Islanders have access to Western-style hospitals and medical facilities and many have forsaken their tradition for Western medicine.
But three months ago, Iriarte reopened her father's old clinic.
This time around, its focus is on traditional healing and herbal cures.
She is convinced that massage has broad healing powers.
SOUNDBITE:
"It cures all kinds of sickness. All the illness we have is caused by the feelings that our body gives out, depression, anger. It releases excess acid that our body needs to get rid of which sometimes can not because of the weakness of the circulation."
SUPER CAPTION: Margaret Iriarte, Traditional massage expert
The Australian embassy in Micronesia is supporting Iriarte's efforts to make sure the tradition of massage and herbal medicine does not die out.
It's provided a small grant as part of its efforts to promote small business development.
SOUNDBITE:
"We only have a very small aid programme and we only give out small amounts at a time but because we can target it to the grassroots level we get a very good success rate which makes us very happy and makes the recipients very happy."
SUPER CAPTION: Fiona Bricknell, Development Assistance Officer, Australian embassy
It's not just locals who are rediscovering massage.
Tourists are finding their way to this tiny clinic located "behind the giant mango tree".
And while traditional medicine and massage will not replace Western medicine, it looks as if healing - the old fashioned way - may be back in fashion.
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