Recent COVID-19 restrictions have made staying afloat in the spa industry even more difficult than ever. Therefore, new and inventive treatments are needed to increase revenue. Aside from offering the traditional spa therapies such as massages and facials, consider incorporating one or two holistic healing modalities either as a single treatment or as an upsell to already booked appointments.
Holistic or alternative and natural treatments have gained popularity and acceptance in recent years and are slowly being incorporated along with traditional therapies as clients learn the benefits of these lesser-known options. The following are some of the top holistic treatment options available in alphabetical order.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is probably the most well-known treatment available today and is now being recommended by many traditional medical practitioners and are covered by several insurance companies.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture is a 5,000-year-old practice and is one of the primary forms of treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is centered on the principle of Qi, which is a term for the vital energy that circulates in the body through 12 pathways called meridians.
An imbalance or blockage in the flow of body energy through a meridian can manifest in disharmony or disease, just like disrupting the supply of blood to a body part may cause damage or injury. Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles just under skin into specific points along these meridians to treat imbalances and to restore the harmonious flow of blood, fluid, and energy throughout the body. Acupuncture has been used to treat negative emotions, addictions, detoxify, reduce stress, body soreness or pain, and almost any disorder or problem that upsets the vitality in the body.
AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy is the practice of using fragrant, essential oils to promote mood elevation and reduce stress through scent. It does not claim to heal or treat chronic ailments, but it is popular when incorporated into traditional massages or facials.
Essential oils can be used topically when diluted or through inhalation but never ingested. Scent has been proven to be a strong memory trigger and can be used to change the mood or experience of a spa treatment, resulting in a more pleasant, relaxing experience for the client. Always be careful when using true essential oils distilled from plants and incorporate a natural carrier oil such as almond or jojoba oil, not one diluted with natural fragrance or perfume.
AYURVEDA
Ayurveda stems from the ancient Vedic culture in India. It places emphasis on prevention and encourages the maintenance of health through close attention to balance in one’s life through the right thinking, diet, lifestyle, and use of herbs.
Ayurveda maintains when there is minimal stress and the flow of energy within a person is balanced. The body’s natural defense systems will be strong and can easily defend against disease. Just like a fingerprint, each person has a particular pattern of energy that can be supported once diagnosed and understood. Ayurveda identifies three basic types of energy using the original Sanskrit words vata, pitta, and kapha. These principles can be related to the basic biology of the body to address everything from emotional state, diet and food choices, seasons and weather, physical trauma, work, and family relationships.
CRYOTHERAPY
Cryotherapy is the practice of using cold temperatures to promote natural healing and wellness. This can be accomplished by taking a ten-to-15-minute dip in cold water (50°F to 59°F) or using specifically designed cryo-chambers using liquid nitrogen. A single-person container surrounds the body while keeping the head and neck area exposed. Liquid nitrogen is cooled to temperatures between -238°F to -274°F and turns to vapor once it hits the air, thus lowering the body’s surface skin temperature to around 32°F.
Cryotherapy claims to improve a myriad of ailments including muscle and joint pain, inflammation and cellular damage after exercise, arthritis, fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression, deceases signs of aging, promotes weight loss, reduces fat, and detoxifies and alleviates negative sleep patterns.
CUPPING
Cupping works by creating strong suction pressure through glass cups heated with fire or manually pumped, usually creating temporary, round bruise marks. It is believed that the suction created by the cup encourages blood flow, and this increased circulation may promote healing and reduce pain. It has been widely used for pain relief and musculoskeletal injuries, such as strains, sprains, back injuries and inflammation and can be used as an addition to massage or on its own.
GUA SHA
Gua sha can be used as a stand-alone treatment or as an addition to traditional massage or acupuncture. A flat, curved stone (usually jade) is rubbed directionally across areas of extreme muscle tension to release compacted myofascial tension and relive chronic neck or back pain. Gua sha can also be beneficial to speed up illness recovery from colds and flus, relieve stress from vigorous workouts, or to improve blood and fluid circulation in areas of tightness.
HALOTHERAPY
Halotherapy exposes clients to inhaled salt vapors, which, research suggests, can provide respiratory health and skin benefits. This treatment is commonly available as full-Himalayan salt rooms but can also be administered through a small electronic device called a halogenerator. This device grinds pure, dry sodium chloride into microscopic particles and disperses them into the air to be inhaled and absorbed by skin.
Depending on your spa budget and space available, entire salt rooms can be constructed or a halogenerator can be added to a massage treatment room. If a client visits a salt room frequently, halotherapy can provide relief for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and cystic fibrosis. It’s also proven helpful for people with eczema, psoriasis, acne, and those recovering from cosmetic surgery.
INFRARED SAUNA
Unlike traditional saunas that feature steam or dry heat to warm a room, an infrared sauna is a wooden box equipped with infrared heat lamps which are used to raise body temperature directly. Infrared heat is typically 100 degrees cooler than traditional saunas, so treatments can be extended for longer periods of time with less risk of adverse reactions such as fainting or heat exhaustion.
Because infrared heat penetrates human tissue versus simply heating the surface of skin, they are seven times more effective than traditional saunas at detoxifying the body. Benefits include increased circulation, increased metabolism, muscle and joint pain relief, boosted immune systems, stress and fatigue reduction, and with additional chromotherapy lights, it may also boost collagen production and mood.
LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE
Lymphatic drainage is a therapeutic massage treatment that uses mostly light pressure and gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase and improve lymphatic flow. The lymphatic system is an essential part of the immune system and fights infection by flushing out and removing toxins and harmful substances from the body. Improving lymph flow and drainage around the body is good for many reasons as it can help the body fight infection by keeping immune systems healthy, relieving water retention, and improving skin texture.
MOXIBUSTION
Typically used as an additional treatment to acupuncture or massage, Chinese mugwort (moxa) is rolled into sticks or cones and burned. Then, it is held close to skin to stimulate acupuncture points and warm regions of the body with heat. The sensation of moxibustion is warming and pleasant and may be added to treatments for a variety of conditions, including cold limbs, poor circulation, weakness, fatigue, and fertility issues. Smokeless moxa can be used to accommodate those clients who may be sensitive to the smell of smoke associated with burning conventional moxa.
MUD BATHS
Mud baths generally use sodium bentonite clay and may contain minerals like sulfur, zinc, magnesium, and bromine that are said to draw out impurities from skin, exfoliate dead skin cells, and relax sore muscles and joints. Therapeutic muds have long been used in natural medicine to treat various types of injuries. They are also known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Treatments are prepared by mixing a few cups of clay into a warm bath, which absorbs the toxins from skin rather than forcing them out through sweat like a sauna.
RAINDROP THERAPY
Raindrop is a powerful technique using essential oils to bring balance and support the body systems on a physical and emotionally level. Therapeutic grade essential oils are dripped above the spine, neck, and feet, simulating rain drops. This treatment helps reduce stress and anxiety, balance and realign the body, support healthy immune system, and detox the body.
REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is a concentrated pressure point massage for the feet, hands, and sometimes ears. Based on the idea that different points on the feet and hands correspond to specific muscles or organs in the body, a reflexologist will apply pressure on these points in order to improve health in the related area of the body. This is done using thumb, finger, and hand massage techniques without the use of oil or lotion.
REIKI WORK
Unlike a traditional hands-on massage, the client remains fully clothed throughout a reiki session. Warmed hands are hovered inches away from the surface of skin or problem areas and energies are transferred and manipulated. The premise here works similarly to acupuncture by opening up energy channels (or Qi) in the body. Energy therapists have different skills and techniques for sensing this force, ranging from the gift of seeing, hearing, or feeling energy.
Physical or emotional pain can cause energy blockages in the body and reiki helps to remove stagnant patterns and blockages so that energy can flow more smoothly throughout the system. By improving energy flow, clients feel more relaxed, experience less pain, and boost their well-being.
SOUND BATHS
Sound baths are a deeply immersive meditative experience using various instruments such as gongs, chimes, or Tibetan singing bowls. While the client is in a relaxed position, a collection of metal or crystal vessels are struck and circled with mallets to emit different sound frequencies which encourage deep meditation and relaxation. Various reverberations correspond to energy frequencies in the body by note and pitch and can be custom tuned to reduce anxiety and enhance mood.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Chinese herbal medicine solutions are used to balance internal disharmonies and help clients achieve optimal health. Preparations of Chinese herbs can be sold in raw herb, capsule, granule, or patent form which may be prescribed in addition to other treatments.
Granules are dehydrated teas that have been previously cooked by the manufacturer and are turned into powders that can be consumed in a capsule or dissolved in hot water. Chinese herbs in patent tablets are small tablets or coated pills that consist of common formulations of herbs formulated to best meet the specific needs of the client. If your spa does incorporate herbal supplements, it is important to purchase herbs from a licensed professional who can guarantee the reputation of the company, products, and the testing they do for safety.
THALASSOTHERAPY
The principle behind thalassotherapy is that repeated immersion in warm seawater, marine mud, and protein-rich algae that helps restore the body’s natural chemical balance. True thalassotherapy facilities don’t really exist in the United States due to chlorination requirements of swimming and bathing facilities. Spa thalassotherapy treatments can include body wraps with alluvial mud, algae (red, blue and brown), or different types of micronized seaweed. Even the marine climate can be incorporated to promote health, wellness, and beauty. Results include pain relief, slimming and toning, detoxifying, and relief of skin conditions like acne and eczema.
With a little creativity and perhaps some additional training or part-time staff, even a small budget can expand their holistic treatments available, upsell current customers, and attract new clientele.
Rachelle Dupree has over 20 years of experience in marketing, media, communications, and design. She studied with a Denver-based herbalist and naturopath for four years, combining her marketing knowledge with her love of natural remedies and skin care. She currently contracts as a marketing and communications director for Vivoderm Natural Skincare and various design clients.
Published Online for Dermascope Magazine June / July 2021
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