Traditional Chinese Massage Health Care in Cuenca.
Lady Jia’s fingers and elbow dig deeply into my shoulders, back and neck as I lay fully clothed on her massage table, covered by a long sheet. I hear Jack on the other side of the privacy screen, exhaling sharply accompanied by a painful “Aaaaauuuugggghhhh’s” as Lady Jia’s husband works on him. This is our first venture into Traditional Chinese Massage Health Care in Cuenca Ecuador and we are having doubts.
What is traditional Chinese Massage?
After reading an ad online at GringoPost.com advertizing a $20 full body massage utilizing “traditional Chinese massage methods” we are intrigued. The ad states that massage “promotes better health and relaxation. Lady Jia and her husband know all the body’s pressure points and how to incorporate them to achieve relief from strained muscles, headaches, back issues and stress providing you total relaxation.” The massage promises to deeply work “those areas that cause pain to bring you relief and you will experience all the benefits that a healthy massage will give you.”
A brief interview.
Although Lady Jia and her husband do not speak English, their son is here to translate. He asks if we have any specific areas of concern and since I do not, I respond by saying I always enjoy a massage. A curious look crosses his face. He corrects me, stating this type of health care massage involves pain and that you simply have to breathe through it. This is a ‘clue’ that I (unfortunately) ignore.
Consider your pain threshold.
The work on my shoulders, back, and neck is manageable. But the work behind my knees, calves, and feet, not so much. OMG, my feet hurt! Breathing through it is challenging. After working on my back, Lady Jia has me roll over and works on my stomach, thighs, and more on my feet. Overall, I would describe the massage as intense with strong pressure. This is one time I would prefer not to receive “health care in Cuenca, Ecuador!”
My husband, who has been experiencing pain in his knee and shoulder, describes his experience like all 10 sessions of Rolfing rolled into one. I listen to him exhaling sharply throughout his session and am glad I am here on his request instead of the other way around. His experience is more painful and intense than mine, leaving him sore for a couple of days afterward. This type of massage may not be for everyone but if you have a specific issue, they can probably work it out for you. Not our cup of tea.
Chino Masaje
Calle Mariscal Lamar on the corner of Francisco Paredes Herrera.
Entrance on Francisco Paredes Herrera.
Mon-Sat. 9 AM – 6 PM
Michael Jia: jiajin0326@gmail.com
096 139 9316
Dr. Gabriel Estuardo Tenorio Vélez – General Practitioner Health Provider.
After listening to Jack coughing for a few days, I “strongly suggest” seeing a doctor as my concern is that it will go down into his chest. (We all know how much men like to go to the doctor!) The people we are plant sitting for recommended Dr. Tenorio. We are immediately impressed with his quick response and have an appointment the next day.
This is our first experience with a General Practitioner Health Care Provider in Cuenca. As a new patient, we are accustomed to being handed a clipboard with a pen and 3-7 pages clipped to it upon entering the office. It always feels impersonal but that is the direction of our current healthcare system in the USA. ( – and elsewhere, I’m sure!)
The Examination.
This is not the case in Dr. Tenorio’s office. His greeting is warm and genuine as he moves to his desk, directing Jack to sit across from him. He conducts a thorough verbal examination which covers everything you could ever find on the clipboard pages and then some. Not only that, but the answers are entered on a handwritten sheet for Jack’s file. The entire process is so much more interactive, personal, and carried out with an air of true concern that we know Jack is in good hands.
After the verbal exam, Jack remains on the examination table while Dr. Tenorio looks, pokes, prods, and questions further to determine the cause of Jack’s cough. When he is done, he assures me it is not serious and that the issue can be addressed with readily available treatment.
The Cost.
The appointment, exam, diagnosis, and treatment is $40 which we happily pay. During the exam, we learn that the doctor practicing right next door is his mother! Clearly, excellent health care runs in the family. This is one Health Care Provider we enthusiastically recommend.
General Practitioner
Dr. Gabriel Estuardo Tenorio Vélez
Av Daniel Córdova Y Solano
Office Phone: 099 314 2153 Cell: 099 314 2153
Dr. Maria Isabel Cardenas V. – Dermatologist
It is time for Jack’s 6 month skin check. The recommendation for Dr. Maria Isabel Cardenas V., a dermatologist, comes from Sky Rajewski, the owner of SkyFit, where we work out. After an initial $35 payment to the reception for the office visit, Dr. Cardenas does a verbal exam, collecting Jack’s medical history. She asks if he wants a thorough skin check with a microscopic like eye piece which is (only) an additional $15.
Initial Examination.
The exam finds some pre-cancer cells which require cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen,) an area needing a biopsy and one other area the Dr. wants to “watch” and check again later, all of which is $50 more. She gives Jack two prescriptions. The total bill for this visit was $100. We are liking this health care in Cuenca Ecuador!
Jack is given the biopsied material to take to the lab on the first floor. Apparently this is a standard practice unlike in the USA where the doctor sends in the sample. The lab is $50 and two creams that the doctor prescribed are a total of $5.89. Prices like this are unheard of in the U.S. health care system! Once again, we are thankful for the quality and cost of health care in Cuenca Ecuador.
Second Appointment.
When Jack returns 2 weeks later for the biopsy results (negative) Dr. Cardenas biopsies the area she had previously been “watching” and sends it down to the lab with Jack. The doctor’s charge for the larger biopsy is $60 and the lab charge $50. It comes back positive for squamous cells but the biopsy has removed all of it – so Jack is good to go! All in all, we discover that Jack’s medical care is not much more expensive than coffee and lunch at one of the nicer restaurants, and the care was excellent! Another recommended Health Care Provider in Cuenca!
Dermatologist
Dr. Maria Isabel Cardenas V.
Monte Sinai
Miguel Cordero 6-140 y Av. Solano
Torre 2 Consultorio 316
phone (+593 7) 404 9390 / 2814 813 X1300 Cell: 0997 621 581
Rob’s Reflexology.
I am having an out of body experience. That must be why I forget to take even one picture of Rob, Rob’s hands (which are magical) his office or anything else. Whenever I have a full body massage, the impulse to beg my therapist to linger a few moments longer on my feet is one I fight to hold back.
Rob’s Reflexology is another Health Care provider in Cuenca.
Rob’s Reflexology can be found on GringoPost.com. His latest monthly specials, as well as numerous recommendations, can be found by searching the GringoPost Archives. Reflexology has its roots in Chinese medicine, which believes that energy points, or Chi, are connected to areas and pressure points in the foot. Overall health can be increased .by manipulating them.
Rob’s Reflexolgy Methodology.
Rob’s ad describes his methodology this way; “Proven techniques are used to bring the body back into balance and achieve homeostasis. Benefits of reflexology include improve nerve function, boosted energy levels, increased circulation, relaxation, elimination of toxins, nervous system stimulation, reduction in headaches, improved digestion system, decreased insomnia and better sleep quality, decreased side effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, faster healing of injuries.” His recommendations from clients thank him for relieving their sleeplessness, jet lag, lack of energy, body pain, etc. How can we pass up this opportunity to experience a foot massage as health care? We are really liking Cuenca, Ecuador!
Pre-treatment interview.
In our pre-reflexology interview, I tell Rob I am having issues with bursitis in my hips, but other than that, I am looking forward to my dream come true of a lengthy foot massage. I am not disappointed. The reflexology takes place lying on your back on a massage table, fully dressed. Rob “works” on my feet for the hour. There are a few moments of intense pressure but overall, it is heaven for me.
Are you a skeptic?
In case you are a skeptic as to the idea that manipulating your feet has any effect on other body functions, let me say this. At the end of my session, I ask Rob if he found anything of interest. He says I am overall very healthy but that he found an issue with my thyroid. This surprises him since I did not indicate any problem while discussing my health prior to the session. If I had any doubt beforehand, (which I didn’t) this cements it for me.
I have hypothyroidism but forget to mention to Rob because it is stabilized with medication. It surprises me that Rob “reads” this condition through my feet!
Jack’s experience with Reflexology.
Jack thinks he enjoyed his foot massage also, but he doesn’t really know because his experience is so awesome, he fell asleep! Next time we’re back in Cuenca, Rob is on the top of the list. His special for us was $35 for the hour. Try finding pricing like that in the States! Another “win” for our Cuenca Ecuador Health Care experience.
A friend of mine visited Cuenca after we did and made the wise decision to get some reflexology of her own. She was kind enough to provide this delightful photo of Rob! Thank you, Michelle!
Rob’s Reflexology
Edificio Sol Del Sur, Nicanor Aguilar 2-75 y Roberto Crespo
Timbre #401, 2nd Floor
Rob Lumpkin: rlumpjr@hotmail.com .
096 975 7287 +1 954 873 5272 WhatsApp
Khalida Spa
Who doesn’t love a great, relaxing massage, especially if you can enjoy one with someone you love? Khalida Spa offers couples massage for $70 for both of us, so off we go. The Spa itself is bright, fresh and welcoming.
This is one of the first Health Care modalities we select upon arriving in Cuenca, so our Spanish, what little we have, is pretty rudimentary. Plus, the staff only speaks “un poquito Ingles,” so we do quite a bit of pointing as we review the massage options. (Also in Spanish, of course.)
No worries! As always, we come to an understanding and head off into the changing area, where we slip into cozy robes and slippers. The massage, which is done with a comfortable degree of pressure, is quite pleasant and relaxing, maybe because we aren’t talking since being understood is an issue. Sometimes language barriers are a good thing.
Khalida Spa dressing area. Spa Refreshment area.
The Cost.
Afterward, we head into the refreshment area. The technician appears and asks us something which we only understand once she imitates scrubbing herself. Ahhh – she is asking if we want to shower! Yes, is the answer so back we go to the changing area. All in all, it is a fun and relaxing experience and at only $35 each, quite affordable. Clearly, even if you don’t speak Espanol, the massage technicians will take good care of you! Our first Health Care in Cuenca Ecuador is completed.
Khalida Spa Padre
Padre Julio Matovelle 4-49
+593 7-281-5715
A spiritual cleansing
On a final note, if you want to include a “spiritual cleansing” after everything else, you will find the lady shamans under the escalator at the 10 Agosto Mercado several days a week. This is more “traditional” type of health care in Cuenca Ecuador.
Our wonderful guides at the free Cuenca Walking Tours (a must-do!) Sami and Sebas, take us here – and help me understand the experience. Also, highly recommended and with a cost of only a few dollars, a great value!
Here is a short video of part of the cleansing.
Comments please!
We hope you found our experiences with the various health care professionals helpful. We included pricing, which was correct as of June 2019, so you’d have an idea of what to expect. If you have questions about any of these experiences, please use the comments below or our “Contact Us” page.
If you enjoyed this post, you may like to discover our favorite lunchtime haunts in Cuenca, consider our best Cuenca day tours, or experience some of the hazards we found while walking around town. It’s never a dull moment in Cuenca!
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Wow thank you!!!
You are very welcome. Watch for part II next week!