AS a man with a lot of physical pain, Arjune Sookhu is fully aware of the suffering it brings and wanted to bring relief to people stricken with body pains via the massaging techniques he offers from the comport of his home at Cornelia Ida Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara.

The 62-year-old isn’t certified by paper, but he knows his stuff by experience and even though the first session entails unbearable pain, it is worth it because, in a few days, he assures that one will feel relieved of body pains and lingering aches.

Sookhu explained that, over time, he mastered the technique of massaging the body, especially in places with pain.

He learned massaging from a friend, Bush (only name given). When he used to frequent his home, he was encouraged to learn and he did after some persuasion.

Bush was then the ‘massage man’ in those days and he lived at Windsor Forest, also on the West Coast Demerara and many people visited his home for massage as pain relief.

The father of two said he was hesitant at first, but after some time, he started to practise on visitors and used what he was taught, which worked. He was, however, motivated and continued.

“I rubbed a man down and before he showed up he had a lot of body pains and the next day he saw me and told me that the pain is gone. He started to tell people and they start showing up at my house,” he said.

He began entertaining a few persons who learnt of his skill via word of mouth and as the news spread, people would show up at his home for a massage.

The visitor would lie flat on his stomach on a wooden bench and he would then use some coconut oil and work his magic to make people feel better as it relates to pain.

Sookhu had a setback when he developed a medical condition which caused him unbearable pain.

He had to undergo surgery and he hasn’t fully recovered, but when people show up at his house for a massage, he can’t turn them away.

Sookhu doesn’t charge a fee per say but you can leave just $1,000 per session in a tin cup with a lid that is provided because he doesn’t demand any money.

Over the years, many people have benefitted from his massage and even people with stroke after a few sessions, would get up and walk again after two to three weeks of being bedridden.

“I can tell where a person is hurting just by feeling that spot and I will massage it out, but it might be a bit uncomfortable as it relates to pain management, but it works,” he said.

People from all over the country, even overseas visitors to Guyana, would visit his home for the massage and would return for a few sessions.

Sookhu told the Pepperpot Magazine that he isn’t employed, so he would go to the back dam to fish and he would sell his catch to vendors.

He would go via his bicycle about eight miles and throw his cast net for fish. He would usually leave home in the wee hours of the morning and return when he has a sufficient catch.

In addition, his spouse has a small shop and she manages that during the day.

Sookhu has a Pitbull name Ginger, a husky called Fred and a parrot named Elvis and they would keep him entertained.

Generally, therapeutic massage may relieve pain by way of several mechanisms, including relaxing painful muscles, tendons, and joints; relieving stress and anxiety; and possibly helping to “close the pain gate” by stimulating competing nerve fibres and impeding pain messages to and from the brain.

Also most massage techniques are designed to promote pain relief, stress reduction, and improved movement in daily living. Therapeutic massage has been shown to improve joint flexibility, relieve lower-back pain, and stimulate the release of endorphins.

It is said that deep tissue massage can be an effective treatment method for various conditions, including sports injuries and back pain. Therapeutic massage may also relieve stress and help with health conditions such as fibromyalgia and high blood pressure. Deep tissue massage works to relax the body and relieve tension.
The massage offered by Sookhu is not for the faint at heart because the intensity may cause you to scream out aloud or even cry.