Israel Spa Snake Massage

Strange things happen in the Middle East but for my money a recent story of an Israeli Spa using snakes as Masseurs is as weird as it gets.

For a mere 300 shekels (US$70) you can walk into Ada Barak's health and beauty spa in Northern Israel and have a few snakes slither across your body.

Snake Massage may not be about to replace Dead Sea salts as a popular treatment in the Middle East but clients swear that having half a dozen serpents slithering across their bare flesh is the best way to relieve those tired and aching muscles.

The snakes that Barak uses in her treatment are a mixture of corn snakes, milk snakes and California and Florida King snakes. According to Barak if people can get over their revulsion of serpents they usually find the sensation very soothing.

Personally I am terrified of snakes but I can see her point. I once thought of them as oily greasy things but after being persuaded to handle a live python I realize that they are dry and silky smooth.

But I’m still terrified of the things and harmless or not there is now way I am every going to get my kit off, lie down on a couch and let someone cover me with snakes.