spas-pedia

There's something at the spa for everyone, and although some treatments are off limits during pregnancy (like the hot tub and sauna) many spas cater to expecting mothers with specials and packages created just for them. A great gift or self indulgence year round, a day at the spa also makes great Mother's Day gift for the mom-to-be in your circle.

Pregnancy massages are offered by most medical spas and are geared towards relieving unpleasant symptoms associated with being pregnant like swelling, bloating, aches, pains, and of course stress. Facials, manicures, pedicures, and many other spa treatments are considered safe during pregnancy but might be tailored to use mild or unscented products due to the sensitive skin and systems many pregnant women experience. Check with your spa to see what's available and what guidelines they may have (i.e. only available during certain trimesters), and of course consult your physician prior to receiving treatment. Here are some current offerings from around the country.

Custom Moms-to-Be Package at the Medical Spa at Nova in Ashburn, VA.
Includes a soothing pregnancy massage, a healing Body Contouring Wrap, a signature spa lunch, and a single long-stem rose at checkout.

Yummy Tummy Body Treatment at Edamame Maternity Day Spa in New York, NY.
Designed to increase circulation, gently exfoliate, and improve tonicity of the skin. Also relaxes with a lower leg and foot massage.

Pregnancy Jade Stone Massage at La Petite Retreat in Los Angeles, CA.
Their signature, the Jade Stone Massage uses hot and cool stones to relax muscles and reduce inflammation along with Swedish, Deep, Shiatsu and Thai massage techniques for long lasting therapeutic results.

Most of us treat ourselves with aromatherapy without even thinking -- ever taken a whiff of your coffee as it's brewing and instantly felt more energized? Or lit a scented candle after a long day's work to help yourself relax? The world is full of fragrance, and aromatherapy is the art of harnessing specific smells and using them to improve a person's health, mood, and overall well-being. Here's a basic guide to which aromas are relaxing, which ones are energizing, and which ones can help give romance a boost.

If you want to relax:
Lavender, Chamomile, Vanilla, Rose, and Sandalwood all have calming and soothing properties, and especially when combined with relaxing activities can really help relax muscles and eliminate headaches. Try lighting a candle scented with one of these oils next time you sit down to read a book or take a long soak in the tub.

Going to the spa is supposed to be a relaxing experience, but if you spend too much time stressing about what to wear (or what not to wear, as the case may be) you won't get nearly the enjoyment out of it as you could. If it's your first time to a spa and you're not sure what the dress code/etiquette is the best thing for peace of mind is to simply call the spa ahead of time and ask. Most spas take a similar approach however so here are some basic guidelines.

Under your robe If you're given a robe and slippers to change into what you leave on underneath the robe is up to you based on your personal comfort level. Most people choose to strip down to their underwear, a swimsuit, or nothing at all, but if you want to leave a shirt and/or pants on under the robe you can certainly do that too -- most spas get all kinds. If they give you sandals or slippers do try to put them on however, as heavy heeled shoes clanking down the halls tends to disrupt the experience for everyone.

Luxist visited the recently renovated Surrey Hotel and its beautiful new day spa, Spa at the Surrey, on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

We sat down with Cheryl Jacobs, its Spa Director, who is a nationally acclaimed spa consultant, and discussed how people can create a spa-like sanctuary in their own home.

Jacobs told us how to create a relaxing and therapeutic bath. "The first thing people should buy are Epsom salts, which offer a variety of health benefits," she says. Epsom salts (also known as magnesium sulfate) can help to relieve aching muscles and flush toxins out of the body.

Another item worth investing in are therapeutic level essential oils, which can be used in conjunction with Epsom salts. The best oils are those that are purest in form and have not had fragrances or other chemicals added.

"The trick about doing a bath at home is that the Epsom salts should be placed under the water as it is running," says Jacobs. "But wait until the tub is filled and the water is no longer running before adding the therapeutic oils. The oils should then be smoothed out to get the real essence."

Treating yourself to a day or week at the spa can be one of life's most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences -- good for both body and soul. A good spa should be staffed with knowledgeable and licensed staff that can answer all your questions and responsibly recommend treatments based on your individual needs, but it never hurts to educate yourself in advance and take charge of your own well being. In addition to understanding what some spas won't tell you, it's also important to understand how different spa treatments and therapies can affect your health.

Planning a trip to the spa might lead you to dream of pampering and relaxation, but what about what the shiny brochures don't tell you? Here are a few things that most spas won't mention unless you flat out ask.

Reserving a room doesn't guarantee you a spot in line for services. Some spas are better at managing crowds than others and you'd hate to spend all that money on travel and accommodations only to find you can't get an appointment for that massage you were drooling over in the brochure. Avoid frustration by talking to someone who's been there and by looking at important ratios like the spa's staff to client ratio (the best will be about 1:1) and the guest room to treatment room ratio

Massages are a wonderful luxury and also one of the few traditionally "guilty pleasures" that aren't so guilty after all. Massages are a great tool for relaxation and stress management, as well as beneficial in treating a host of other problems and giving some unexpected health benefits.

Pain Science has yet to discover exactly how massage helps with pain but somehow it does. Theories surround the fact that massages relax muscles, reduce stress hormones, and stimulate good hormones. Pain due to fibromyalgia, migraines, and back pain respond particularly well to massage therapy.

Self-Esteem Believe it or not regular massages have been shown to raise self-esteem in some people. Direct contact in the form of touch can help a person feel connected and cared for, and as a result have a greater feeling of self-worth and higher self-esteem.

Mood One of the most common benefits of massage is a decrease in stress hormones and an increase in 'feel good' hormones, which means decreased stress, anxiety, and depression, and improved relaxation and overall mood.

Immunity The stress hormone cortisol impairs the body's immune system, but massages reduce cortisol and so give your immunity a boost.

Sleep/Alertness Massage, depending on what kind, can either stimulate deeper sleep or improved alertness.

Want to get the most from your massage? The American Massage Therapy Association suggests ten tips to achieve a positive experience.

1. Be as receptive and open to the massage process as possible.

2. Don't eat just before a massage session. Let your body digest first.

3. Be on time.

4. Take off only as much clothing as you are comfortable removing. Otherwise, wear clothing that will be comfortable during the massage and will allow the massage therapist to touch and move the areas of your body you expect will need to be massaged.

5. Communicate with your massage therapist before the session, providing accurate health information. Let the massage therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage. If you are allergic to any oils, lotions or powders, tell your massage therapist, who can choose a substitute. Report any discomfort and give feedback during the massage on the amount of pressure, speed of hand movement, etc.

6. Breathe normally. This helps facilitate relaxation.

7. Relax your muscles and your mind.

8. Drink extra water after your massage.

9. Don't get up too quickly and do allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session. If you're dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast. It also may take a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session.

10. Be prepared to schedule several massage sessions, as massage has its greatest benefits over time.

To find a professional massage therapist, go to the Find a Massage Therapist Locator Service at www.findamassagetherapist.org.

Choosing the right massage technique for your needs is not as easy as it sounds. There are many different techniques, from deep tissue to Swedish and Shiatsu. The American Massage Therapy Association suggests clients speak with the massage therapist in advance to decide which technique will give them the results they want. Some massage therapists use a variety of massage techniques or types during a session to best achieve desired results. Be sure to discuss any allergies you might have to oils, lotions or powders that may be used.

Aromatherapy: This is a massage treatment that involves the application of scented "essential oils" such as lavender, that have relaxing, revitalizing, stress-reducing and balancing properties.

Deep Tissue: When slow, deep pressure and skillful hand movements target stressed muscles, unlocking tension and relieving pain.

Holistic: The human as a whole is considered, rather than a set of conditions.

Hot Stone: Heated smooth stones are placed along the spine and other points of the back, shoulders, hands and feet in order to relax tissues as well as warm and loosen tight muscles. The therapist applies gentle pressure with the stones.

Neuromuscular: This is a a deep tissue massage that can help release spasms and hyper contraction in the muscle and ligaments. It can also assist blood and lymphatic flow.

Reflexology: Specialized pressure techniques are applied to specific wellness-related reflex points on the feet to release blocked energy, relieve stress and boost circulation.

Shiatsu: Originating in Japan, there are several different kinds of Shiatsu techniques. Shiatsu typically involves a finger-pressure technique (sometimes palms and thumbs) that utilizes the traditional acupuncture points of Oriental healing. This type of massage concentrates on detecting and correcting the the flow of energy (or chi) while restoring balance throughout the body.

Sport: This kind of massage used before or after an athletic performance. It lessens fatigue and reduces the risk of injury, while decreasing swelling. It can improve flexibility and range of motion and also prevent injuries.

Swedish: A classic stress-relieving, medium pressure technique, using varied strokes of gliding and kneading to promote circulation and an overall sense of well-being.

Trigger Point: This employs compression at specific areas, also called "trigger points" of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments and tendons. These trigger points are distinguished by local pain, tightness, and tenderness.

Often at spas and resorts, instead of having customers deal with tips, a gratuity is built in. It's easier for the customer and offers a little assurance for the practitioner. But should you tip more even if the gratuity is built in? It's a matter of choice. Some people prefer to make sure that their tips go directly to the person performing the service, while others find the tipping process awkward. Also, some resorts do not allow practitioners to accept additional tips. Usually signs are posted to let you know, but when in doubt, ask.