Celebrating Spa Month: The Medical Spa Approach
April is Spa Month and it has fast become the latest invention in the spa industry introducing people to new and alternative treatments.
The term “Medical Spa” is fast becoming the new spa incarnation. The spa industry has been moving into new realms of consciousness for the past decade. The goal of any spa is to introduce new and vibrant concepts, therapies and wellness features to their demanding, high profile clients, while staying ahead of the curve. It has become a fierce and competitive business. The current trend in spas can be seen reaching out to the newest billion dollar market, the alternative health industry.
Although, alternative treatments lurked on the fringes of many spas for years, nowadays, hot stone massage, crystal facials, acupuncture and facial rejuvenation, anti-aging therapies and water therapies have become the norm. Also, the attention to proper body alignment and posture have also brought awareness to the spa patron. I have even seen many of these services now offered in nail and hair salons! The spa industry is integrating world modalities in healing and healthcare in order to keep up with customer’s demands for living a cleaner, healthier, less toxic lifestyle, as well as, the one-stop shopping mentality.
Combining Beauty with Nature
Antioxidants Antioxidants are a classification of several organic substances, which include vitamins C and E, vitamin A (converted from beta-carotene), selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and carotenoids. Together as antioxidants, these substances are thought to be effective in helping to prevent certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts. At the cellular level, antioxidants serve to deactivate certain free radicals in turn helping to decrease inflammation. Two trends that spas are turning to are the preservation of ingredients and ingestible nutrients for internal skin care. The airless pump helps to preserve ingredients and prolongs the product’s efficacy. Less water in skin formulations is also done to preserve the product and less water means fewer bacteria growth. Ingestible nutrients are vitamins, nutrients and herbal supplements taken internally to create beauty from the inside out. Good skin care starts from the inside and reflects outwards. See Internal Beauty.
Hot Stone Therapies Popular in spas for the last few years, this ancient therapy has gone high end with variations on the popular method. Cold stones have been added to the therapy to help with under eye puffiness, tissue decongestant and increase micro circulation. Stone apprentices, patented by Fred Harrison are now being incorporated for TMJ, sinus congestion and low back pain. The marriage of aromatherapy and hotstones, Aroma Stones are stones infused with essential oils and can be used to invigorate or soothe, depending on the clients needs.
Unique Facials Facials are a staple in the spa industry. In the last year or so, the unique power of metaphysics, along with color therapy and crystal therapies have been introduced into the arena. As a fresh alternative, color therapy facials, facials done with crystals, and nature inspired treatments, bringing the spa business into a new era of wellness as well as beauty.
Energy Medicine The power of the intangible has taken hold. For centuries, energy medicine has been around and accepted in many cultures. From the doshas and Chakras of Tibetan and Indian cultures to the Meridians and Qi of Chinese and Japanese medical practices. Energy therapies are becoming much more of an interest to the spa and wellness industries. The most cutting edge spas are incorporating Chakra balancing and Aura cleansing in their menu of services. Color therapy kits with bath oils and sea salts.
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Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/bo
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit
