Filipino Hilot Massage - An Ancient Style of Healing

Hilot is an ancient Filipino style of therapeutic healing. Initially, one might think it is simply a massage, but hilot is more. It is energy manipulation. Practitioners utilize chiropractic manipulation and massage for the diagnosis and treatment of various ailments. This style of massage typically involves a medium deep tissue massage where the masahista uses rapid mixed with slower moving finger and hand pressure over various pressure points throughout the back and legs. This form of “touch therapy” is commonly used today to relax stressed muscles and also has been used to aid and reset dislocated and sprained joints. Although many spa and hotel clients around the world have become addicted to the more popular Thai and Swedish massages, Hilot’s holistic and all-natural approach has a decent chance of becoming part of a wellness regime that is uniquely Filipino.

Hilots are Filipino traditional healers based in the communities who deliver health services. Hilot training for spa personnel lasts from three to six months. First, aspiring hilot therapists are taught to scan the back, nerve points, and reflexes in the foot. They learn the natural format of diagnosis using the shape of face, color of the skin, or iridology.