New Trends in Spa Treatments

What’s Hot in Spa & Massage Treatments

Day spas now make up 80 percent of the spa industry, eclipsing the nine percent of traditional resort and hotel spas. People no longer view the spa experience as a rare luxury getaway but as a necessary antidote to the stresses of daily life—a way to heal their bodies and find peace of mind. And, of course, people want to look great too. So, part of the appeal is a pampering session that leaves people feeling fabulous; while part is getting that special beauty treatment that helps revive people’s youth and inner glow.

Learn more about the latest spa and beauty trends and why the spa industry is thriving more than ever.

Spas for Everybody: Specialty Spas

More spas are responding to the increasing demand from men. Others are creating one-stop shops where spa-goers can make all their beauty dreams come true, including the discreet nip-and-tuck.

Men’s Spas

According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), men now make up 31 percent of active spa-goers. Male-only spas are beginning to appear in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, New York City and Washington, DC. Many coed spas are introducing spa treatments for men.

According to ISPA, men are more likely to seek treatments like deep tissue massage or other therapeutic treatments that are more physical in nature. But, even services for the face, hands and feet are being marketed successfully to men.

Medical Spas

Medical spas, or “medspas” are the fastest growing segment of the spa industry. Under the oversight of medical doctors, spa-goers receive cosmetic surgery along with spa treatments expressly designed to reduce swelling, minimize discomfort and speed healing. At a minimum, medical treatments available at a medspa include laser treatments, facial peels, microdermabrasion, collagen injections and Botox. According to ISPA, the medspa segment of the spa industry grew at the tremendous rate of 69 percent between 2003 and 2005. As of August 2006, there were 915 medspas in the US, or 7 percent of the total number of spas.

Trends: Favorite Spa & Massage Treatments

Although full-body massage, manicures and pedicures are still the top picks of US spa-goers, new spa therapy services are springing up all the time. And some treatments that were once strange and new are becoming staples.

Underwater massage

Watsu (short for water shiatsu) is a supremely relaxing form of spa massage performed in a shallow pool as the client floats gently in soothingly warm water. The therapist provides support so that the client can fully relax and massages away tension.

Acupressure and directed range-of-motion exercises are often incorporated to address specific issues. Often described as a “back-to-the-womb” experience, Watsu encourages the release of tension, boosts energy and removes blockages from the body's energy channels to encourage healing.

Some practitioners describe the goal of Watsu as “heart coherence," bringing the giver and practitioner into harmony to create a sense of oneness with the world. The technique is particularly beneficial to clients with chronic pain or arthritis because the buoyancy of the water makes it easier for them to move without discomfort.

Mud wraps

Rich in nutrients, therapeutic mud is used in a variety of spa therapy treatments to rejuvenate and exfoliate skin. For a mud wrap, the body is covered in mud and then wrapped in blankets to rest as the mud pulls toxins from the body, relieves water retention and eases pain and inflammation. Mud wraps are often preceded by dry brushing of the body to stimulate the lymphatic system and may be followed by a massage. Specific types of mud may be used, such as Fango mud (a mineral-rich grey mud from Italy), or moor peat (mud harvested from a moor or peat marsh, rich in organic matter and proteins).

Hot stone therapy

Smooth basalt stones are heated in hot water and placed on specific points of the body, including the palms, back and between the toes. The direct heat relaxes muscles, expands blood vessels and sedates the nervous system to allow more effective massage strokes. The stones themselves may also be used to stroke the body with gentle pressure. Cold marble stones may be used on areas of muscular injury or inflammation.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote complete health. Treatments that often incorporate aromatherapy include massage, facials, body wraps and hydrobaths. Essential oils may be applied to the body or diffused in the air. Different essential oils have different therapeutic effects. For example, lavender is deeply relaxing, and eucalyptus opens congested airways.

Shiatsu

Americans are most familiar with Western massage techniques, especially Swedish massage, the classical European massage technique of manipulating muscles with the use of massage oils. Shiatsu is a Japanese massage technique that involves gentle pressure to specific points in the body to stimulate and unblock energy pathways or “meridians.”

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that relieves stress and promotes deep relaxation. Based on the idea that unseen life force energy called “ki” flows through us and keeps us alive, Reiki seeks to increase that energy and encourage its radiant flow. Practitioners guide energy into the client’s body with their hands by using stationery palm positioning and by applying gentle pressure to relieve specific tension points.

Thai bodywork

Thai bodywork, also known as Thai massage, is yet another Eastern technique that is gaining popularity in American spas. The client reclines on the floor, dressed in loose clothing, while the massage therapist moves the body. Treatment includes passive stretching similar to yoga and pressure-point massage to release blocked energy, reduce tension and increase awareness and tranquility.

Colonic therapy

This treatment may not sound very appealing, but cleansing the colon can have powerful health benefits. Many people report heightened energy, an increased sense of well-being and renewed vitality.

A colonic therapist irrigates the colon with an enema customized for the individual. An intense stream of water pushes out trapped impurities and prevents the recycling of toxins in the bloodstream. Modern colon hydrotherapy equipment is designed to ensure the client’s dignity. Waste is transported discreetly through a closed system with no offensive odor.

Reflexology

Widespread in Asia and Europe—and rapidly gaining ground in the United States—reflexology involves specific pressure to the feet, hands and ears to encourage balance and healing throughout the body. Reflexology is most often performed on the feet.

Anyone can learn simple reflexology techniques, and many nail technicians will provide a reflexology massage during a spa pedicure. A thoroughly trained professional reflexologist can use more specific techniques to deliver profound stress relief and deep relaxation. Research shows that reflexology may be particularly effective for back pain, migraines, infertility, sleep disorders, hormonal imbalances and digestive disorders.

Acupressure

This traditional Chinese medicine technique is based on the same ancient concepts as acupuncture, but does not involve needles. Instead, physical pressure is placed on acupuncture points using the hands, elbows or various devices. Practitioners learn maps of specific points along the body’s energy pathways, or “meridians,” and choose points to encourage healing and balance in the individual.

Holistic skin care

Holistic skin care takes the entire person into account—including that person’s physical, nutritional, environmental, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. Products used in holistic skin care treatments are usually organic, all-natural and environmentally friendly. They may even be mixed at the spa from fruits, vegetables, essential oils and other natural ingredients. When encouraging the client to continue a holistic skin care routine, estheticians often go beyond product recommendations to suggest supplements, dietary changes or increased water intake.

Each of these spa treatments has a popular following because it is deliciously satisfying in its own unique way. Try one or more of the treatments and you will experience the relaxing, energizing or revitalizing splendor that has helped make the spa and massage industry so popular in the last few years.

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