Some people like the feel of non-poisonous reptiles slithering across
their bodies in spa-like settings, with larger, heavier snakes providing
a deeper kneading as they crawl across flesh. But how effective are
these creatures at reducing stress? Even snakes’ general pressure on the
body can be relaxing, says Kriota Willberg, a licensed massage
therapist and an instructor at Swedish Institute, in New York. But
what’s missing is a snake’s ability to systematically and selectively
apply pressure, and to respond to the body’s feedback.
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