"Relieving Stress with ASMR"... 'Back Scratching' Therapy Soars in Popularity Despite High Hourly Cost

Therapy Using Fingertips or Tools to Scratch the Whole Body
Helps Relieve Stress and Anxiety, Improves Sleep

Recently, a unique "back scratching" service has been gaining attention in major cities across the United States. On November 15 (local time), the UK’s Daily Mail reported that "back scratching therapy" is becoming popular among younger generations throughout the country. In this therapy, a practitioner gently scratches the back, neck, head, and other areas for about 30 minutes to an hour using their fingertips or various tools.

Recently, a unique "back scratching" service has been gaining attention in major cities across the United States.

Scratcher Girls, a Florida-based company that claims to be the "world’s first professional back scratching brand," offers services at $75 (about 110,000 KRW) for 30 minutes and $130 (about 190,000 KRW) for an hour. In New Jersey and New York, the price can be as high as $250 (about 370,000 KRW) per hour. Toni George, the founder of Scratcher Girls, explained, "The comfort I felt when my grandmother scratched my back as a child inspired the business idea." She added, "Back scratching therapy is a type of ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response). By gently scratching and rubbing with fingertips or acrylic nails, it can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and promote the release of endorphins."

The Daily Mail also reported that similar specialized services are emerging in places like Tennessee and Arizona, and that more "scraping therapy" shops are expected to open in other cities. Meanwhile, medical professionals have also expressed positive opinions about the therapy. Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an internal medicine specialist, said, "Although there is not yet enough scientific evidence for back scratching therapy, light scratching stimulation can calm the nervous system and induce the release of endorphins, resulting in relaxation." He further noted, "If it is difficult to access professional services, home back scratching tools can also be a safe and simple alternative."

Scraping therapy is a method where a therapist gently scrapes the back, neck, head, and other areas for about 30 minutes to an hour using fingertips or tools. Instagram 'Scratcher Girls'

However, excessively scratching the skin can actually be harmful to your health. Repeated scratching can make the skin more sensitive to even minor stimuli, leading to increased itchiness, and may also cause wounds or hyperpigmentation. When you feel itchy, it is helpful to apply moisturizer to the skin while it is still slightly damp after bathing.