A health worker has sparked a new trend in therapy by wrapping clients in oil-soaked blankets and setting fire to them.

Apparently the heat causes total relaxation in the patients despite having flames just centimetres from their bare skin.

"It looks pretty dangerous but it's harmless when done properly," said Han Li, who runs a clinic in China's capital, Beijing.

Click HERE for more information

WATER BABIES

They may just look like babies in buckets, but this is apparently the closest these youngsters will get to life back in the womb. The babies took a dip after a baby massage class for new mothers in IJmuiden, The Netherlands.

The TummyTub - a Dutch invention - is being given the thumbs up by maternity hospitals across Europe. The makers say it helps to ease the transition from the comfort of the mothers womb. They say: "It makes bath time enjoyable from birth; the TummyTub's special design ensures that babies adopt and relax in the familiar and natural foetal position. Baby can be immersed up to shoulder level safely and remains warmer for longer.

The TummyTub is recommended for children up to three years old.

Source: couriermail.com.au

The heated lava Stone spa bed at Nao Salon + Spa   (Photo: Jeremy Liebman)

We've all heard of hot stone massage, but this treatment looks more like you're lying on a driveway. Click HERE to read more.

Only in Japan 

No, you're not looking at an Egyptian Mummy, but a Japanese client being pampered with a 24-Carat gold facial - a snip at 30,000 Yen (about £220)

SNAKES

ALIVE  

Ophidiophobes look away now!

Snake venom or its synthetic derivative may be hot news when it comes to skincare, but how about snake massage?

According to free London newspaper, Metro, unbelievable as it seems, it's the most in-demand, relaxing therapy at Ada Barak's spa in Talmei Elazar, northern Israel.  

The treatment consists of six non-venomous snakes massging the client's aching muscles and joints.

She uses California and Florida king snakes, corn snakes and milk snakes, with the size of the snakes depending on the type of massage: the larger ones are said to alleviate deeper muscle tensions, with the smaller ones creating a "fluttering effect". 

Cost of the massage? A mere £40.

According to Miss Barak, physical contact with the reptiles can be a relaxing experience. She was inspired by her belief that once people get over any initial misgivings, they find physical contact with snakes to be stress relieving, with one client describing the experience as "soothing, like a cold compress". 

Given it takes all sorts, but, somehow, we can't see it catching on here - or will it? 

* To see Time magazine's toe-curling video clip CLICK HERE

** PIC CREDIT: Design Pics Inc/Rex Features