Why Does Kerokan Feel Good?
"The kerokan movements on the skin leaves red marks, but it does not damage the skin layer. Instead, it can make the body feel better when you have a cold. What is the connection between the kerokan and the body feeling better? Is it just a kind of Placebo effect?"Published by : Kurnia HD - 02/12/2024 09:44 WIB
3 Minutes read.
Kerokan (a Javanese word, often translated into ‘coin rubbing’) is an original traditional therapy. It is popular among the Indonesians, especially the Javanese. When the body feels cold, catch a flu, fever, kerokan is the first aid, before opting to go to the doctor or take certain medicines. Usually, kerokan is applied in a package with massage, although it also can be applied without any massaging as well.
Kerokan is applied by pressing and sliding a blunt object, generally a coin, onto the surface of the skin Generally, the part of the body for kerokan is the back. In order to reduce pain due to the rubbing motion on the skin, before pressing and sliding the coin, the skin has first been smeared with oil, balm, or lotion.
Image source: www.cigna.co.id
The temporary pain felt during kerokan is proportional to better and fitter sensations you feel afterward. Moreover, most people do sleep after kerokan. After waking up, the symptoms of illness or cold that were felt before have subsided.
You might be curious about the therapy. How can just by rubbing your skin with a coin your body feel better? Considering that kerokan is a therapeutic treatment that has been passed down for generations, many people think that the fitter and better sensations of the body after kerokan are just a kind of Placebo effect.
Is it true? Apparently not. Although, in essence, kerokan cannot cure colds or certain diseases, there are scientific reasons why it can help make the body feel better or relieve cold symptoms. Scientifically, explained by Dr. Alberta Claudia, it turns out that kerokan helps to release endorphin hormone. The hormones induce a comfortable feeling during kerokan and also makes the muscles relaxing as well. Dilated blood vessels due to inflammation of the kerokan make blood cells and oxygen circulate smoother. Furthermore, kerokan also reduce levels of prstaglandins (the cause of body pain) due to the suppression effect of beta endorphins.
In addition, it turns out kerokan also is influenced by Chinese philosophy regarding balance, between yin (cold) and yang (hot). This relationship affects the links between the spiritual state of the body and nature.
That’s all. Now you know the reason why kerokan can relieve colds. So, next time you feel unwell because of cold symptoms, don’t rush to take over-the-counter medicines. Try kerokan instead. It’s worth a try.
References
https://www.hipwee.com/tips/10-fakta-tentang-kerokan-yang-mungkin-belum-kamu-tahu/
