The Guide to Massage, Spa Treatments and Healing from Pearl Escapes 2016

The Guide to Massage, Spa Treatments and Healing from Pearl Escapes 2016

By Pearl Howie

Copyright © Pearl Howie 2016

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-326-46664-0

The moral right of the author has been asserted

New to This Edition

If you're new to this guide then you might like to know that the treatments are all listed alphabetically.  If you're looking for something specific but don't know the name then check out some of the lists at the back of the book where treatments are listed by region, by type of healing and also by ailment if you are looking to treat something or someone specific.  I hope you find what you're looking for – let me know if not and I'll try to add it to the next edition.

New Massage, Spa Treatments and Healing In This Edition

Udvatarna

Mohom Indigo Art of Healing Massage (Ytsara)

Ytsara

Hmong Shamans

Greek Herbal Bath

Tyrolean Sauna

Indian Blossom Steam Room

Balinese Multi-Steam Bath

Japanese Salt Steam Bath

Japanese Zen Garden

Zen

Ice Cave

Blue Moon

Don Miguel Ruiz

Toltec

Brené Brown

Mayan Healing

Saka Purification Ceremony

Temazcal aka Sweat Lodge

Cenote

Tzolkin Ritual

Espiritu Santo Springs, Safety Harbor

Raindrop Experience (Intercontinental Miami)

It's All In Your Mind Massage (The Standard, Miami)

Falling Water Column

Malayan Massage

Skinship aka hadaka-no-tsukiai

Spring Waters

Onsen

Scalp massage

Oil Pulling

Native American Healing has also been expanded

Costa D'Este

Neck Massage see It's All In Your Mind Massage (The Standard, Miami)

Bath Spa

Bedouin Massage

Blue Lagoon

Black Soap

Chianciano Terme

Crystal Healing

Dr Masaru Emoto

Face Mask

Thermae Bath Spa

Healing By Region

After Sun Treatment

Sunburn Escapes

Bamboo Massage

Vichy Showers

Astro Twins

Trichology

Introduction

I don't know how to start this book.

Do I begin by talking about the power of touch?  Talk about the science of stroking?  Tell you what you probably already know – that without connection, touching, hugging, we human beings find it hard to feel good, be healthy or successful?

Do I talk about the importance of exploring and understanding different cultures?  How getting to know one another across the world ocean can bring us closer together, help us realise we are all the same, wanting love and happiness for ourselves and more importantly our loved ones, that sharing our healing could ultimately heal the world and give us world peace?

Do I tell you my own stories of being in pain and how these treatments have helped me?  Or the times when I was walking around saying I'm fine and a comforting touch made me lose myself in grief, until I could heal that grief and finally let go of it?

The truth is I don't know what you're looking for, what you need, how you need to approach the idea of massage, treatments or healing and perhaps you don't either. 

The truth is that despite all the experiences I have had, all the research I do, all the reviews I read of the things I then try, I never know when I walk in or jump in what will happen on the day.

And not knowing is important.

It is an important part of any journey that we cannot see too far ahead.

Knowing the end of a movie or book or program is called a spoiler, it literally spoils the experience for us to know too much about what's coming up.

So sometimes I don't share all of the details of these treatments, and even if I do, even if I tell you in minute detail how my massage went, it doesn't matter, because your massage will be unique and special because it's happening to you on that specific day and there will never be another massage, another day exactly the same.  You will never be exactly the same.

It takes courage to walk in and have a massage, not only to take off your clothes and pay a large sum of money for a stranger to stroke you (hopefully in a pleasant way), not for all the obvious reasons contained in those words, but also because you never know how you will react.

Five years ago when I began Pearl Escapes I went to Thermae Bath Spa where they do the fabulous Watsu treatment.  I couldn't even have a foot rub at that time, let alone have someone cradle me in a warm bath.  I would have fallen completely to pieces.  I was grieving for a friend who had just died.  I didn't have it in me to let someone get close enough to help me.

But every treatment I had helped me (well, almost every treatment – there have been some stinkers that I nearly took legal action over – I'm not kidding).  In the last five years I've allowed so many people to help me, to heal me, I've worked with meditation techniques and understanding suffering, read countless books and practiced constantly.

This year I see why I needed it.  This year things got really hard again and I hit a wall inside of myself, a wall I built when I was 16, when my brother had a stroke, when I had to build a wall around parts of myself in order to survive.  This year, after all the healing, I got strong enough to feel my pain, to suffer all the things I couldn't let myself deal with back then, to let go.  And in doing so I got to also say hello to little pieces of myself I had had to wall up along with everything else.

Today I started reading No Mud, No Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh in which he talks about our happiness and suffering being the sides of the same coin.  If we cannot feel and deal with our suffering we cannot truly feel our happiness and joy.

In releasing the sadness and grief of that time I also released the joy and happiness that was the other half of the coin.  I freed my emotions and I freed myself.  I allowed myself to be me for the first time since I was 15.  It's going to take some getting used to. 

I didn't consciously know when I started where this journey would take me, but subconsciously I must have.  This is the quote I put on my website five years ago:

The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror and each will smile at the other's welcome, from Love After Love by Derek Walcott

Hi honey… I'm home.

Abhyanga

An Ayurvedic full body massage, this could technically be the name for a treatment I had at Salon Sensoriale in the Terme di Chianciano Spa in Tuscany, but at Jivita Ayurveda in Kensal Rise this is the actual name on the menu.

What differs from a regular full body massage is the heated oil and faster movements that are used, and also special care is paid to your feet, which some full body massages ignore.  This means that even with a 50 minute treatment you can feel probably done by the end of an Abhyanga massage. 

The treatment at Jivita Ayurveda did seem a lot harder than the massage I had in Tuscany, but that could also be because my body was so much tenser this time.  As Megan, the therapist at Jivita Ayurveda, worked on each area I would be close to asking her to stop, then the second she stopped I wanted her to do more!

Another massive difference was that at Jivita Ayurveda I went for a special offer which included a Shirodhara treatment at the end of the full body massage which made this the perfect experience for me as the massage relaxed my body and the Shirodhara relaxed my mind (and then got it working again).  See Shirodhara.

I do love the use of warmed oil in massage and it’s very hard to go back once you've experienced this (and to go back to non-heated beds – yes this bed was heated!)  I started, as with most massages on my front, with my back and shoulders being worked over.  I could actually feel the tension and possibly air being released from my body as in a chiropractic session, before Megan moved onto my legs and then went for it on my feet.  This was some of the best footwork I have ever had, and I would absolutely go back for an Ayurvedic foot massage aka Padabhyanga or Reflexology here.

See also Ayurvedic Massage, Chiropractic, Deep Tissue Massage, Holistic Treatments, Padabhyanga, Paper Knickers, Prishtabhyanga, Shirodhara, Udvatarna, ILA and ILA Kundalini Back Treatment.

Acupressure

If you’ve ever liked the idea of acupuncture but didn’t like the idea of needles then acupressure is probably something to try.  It’s based on the same Chinese philosophy as acupuncture and Reflexology; that there are energy lines or meridians in the body that can benefit from manipulation.  It’s not that far from the concept of energy chakras, which is part of the basis of Reiki; a much more passive practice.

Sometimes also called oriental meridian massage, it’s a speciality of the Mandarin Oriental spas, and indeed a key element of their signature treatment, which I’ve now tried in Hong Kong and London.  (I preferred it in Hong Kong.)  Their Miami spa also has fantastic treatments but it has a relaxation room filled with hectic Miami ladies on their Blackberries, so think about making sure you have some time in a massage suite, massage cabana on their artificial beach or even a spot on one of the loungers for post massage chillout.

Tui na is also another type of massage, very popular in China, which works along the same beliefs and may well be the same in practice.

By stimulating various key points in the body it is believed that the therapist can improve the flow of chi (universal energy) through the body and alleviate problems.

I must admit that sometimes it’s very hard to differentiate this type of massage from any other kind. The only major difference I have noticed in acupressure full body massages is the way that the legs are often lifted and pressure is applied in a more forceful way (but always very pleasurable in my experience).  In the past I think there’s been a tendency for certain reflexologists to be a little aggressive in the pursuit of wellbeing, but I have to say that all of my Reflexology treatments, in the UK and China have been nothing but blissful.

For a first rate acupressure massage I recommend the Mandarin Spa, Hong Kong.

Other spas that offer great treatments:

Tian Spa, Park Hyatt Beijing

The Spa At Mandarin Oriental London

See also Reflexology, Reiki, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Malayan Massage and Chi-Nei Tsang – Thai Abdominal Massage.

Acupuncture

I'm a huge fan of acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine in general, (especially after my trip to China), but even though I was brave enough to try cupping and Gua Sha I was a lot more cautious about where I was going to try acupuncture.

During acupuncture very long, fine needles are inserted through your skin.  They can either be used to stimulate acupressure points, which are believed to relate to specific conditions or, in my case, used to directly stimulate the area where you have a problem.

I'd been having some problems with my back and when my GP suggested I try acupuncture I got serious about looking for a local practitioner (unfortunately my GP couldn't recommend anyone directly).  Then, when I went to visit a physiotherapist for my back I was delighted to find that she practised acupuncture too.  This is what I'd been looking for, a super clean clinic-style environment where I knew the therapist was highly trained and understood the issues I was having with my back.  After one session of physiotherapy I was already starting to feel better, so I was very excited to book in for acupuncture the next day.

As she inserted the needles she explained that they go deep into the muscle tissue, where my back muscles were aggravated and sore, and at a certain point my muscles would grab on to the needles.  I could actually feel this happening.  What did it feel like?  It felt like someone sticking needles in my back.  It didn't exactly feel painful, more like a pinprick and then a dull ache in my muscles.  It also felt, for want of a better word, a bit scratchy.

Once she'd inserted the needles she used the time to give my calves a little bit of sports massage.  It's interesting that during the physiotherapy appointment she'd mentioned that my tight calves from a previous injury could be aggravating the problems in my shoulders; it is all connected.

The sports massage was also quite intense and borderline painful. 

When she took the needles out I was already starting to feel the effects; a little headache, nauseous and she explained that many people feel a sudden drop in blood sugar after the treatment.  Luckily there was a cafe next door and I went straight there for some tea and porridge with honey.  The weird thing was that I still felt as though the needles were in my back, as if... someone had been sticking needles in my back.  The idea is that the needles stimulate the body's healing mechanism and create the production of histamine, and yes, it felt like I had been stung.  I could also feel my right shoulder tightening up where the needle had been.

It was recommended to have a course of three treatments, but would it surprise you to learn that I didn't go back?  I was also advised not to have any deep tissue massage on my back for a while.  I did feel like something had been released. I went home and did some of those houseworky jobs that involve beating the hell out of things.  I broke some stuff.  In fact I felt an overwhelming sense of anger... and then I went to sleep for 2 hours.  Afterwards I felt tearful, cranky and sore, but I did find other things feeling better over the next few days.

As I wrote in an article on my website Healing Isn't Always Pretty, but I do feel the acupuncture had a releasing and positive effect.  I just prefer my treatments a little bit more pleasurable.

I tried acupuncture at Pure Sports Medicine in Raynes Park, who I do recommend for physiotherapy.

See also Acupressure.

After Sun Treatment

See Sunburn Escapes at the end of the book.

Algae (Blue Lagoon)

Yes, one of the main ingredients in the miraculous water of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is algae.  According to their researchers there are around 200 different microorganisms in the water (don’t be afraid – they’re all apparently benign or good for you) and 60% of these are new species, which may only be found in the Blue Lagoon.

It’s also one of the main reasons for that wonderful blue colour.

You can benefit from the algae just by relaxing in the water, or you can take it one step further with a self-applied algae face mask from the swim up cafe, or one of the signature algae treatments.  (Or by buying Blue Lagoon products to take home and use in your own bathroom!)

For more details visit www.bluelagoon.com/About-Us/Geothermal-Wonder/

Try this at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland or order products online.

See also Algotherapy, In Water Massage, Seaweed Massage, Silica (The Blue Lagoon), Thermal Spa and Volcano Scrub (The Blue Lagoon).

Algotherapy

As you might guess algotherapy means the use of algae in treatments, however you might not guess that it also includes the use of seaweed – which can also be called Thalassotherapy, which is the use of seawater or seaweed in treatments.

See also Algae (Blue Lagoon), ishga, Seaweed Massage and Thalassotherapy.

Aloe Vera (Key West Aloe)

My research is not all wonderful spas; sometimes the healing I find is almost by accident.

My ex-boyfriend and I were snorkelling in Bahia Honda near Marathon (halfway between Key Largo and Key West) and he overdid it in the sun, getting some vicious sunburn on his shoulders.

I had no idea what to pick up to help his poor shoulders, so I asked the locals who recommended Solarcaine from the chemist.  This was pretty good for helping him put a shirt on, as it contains a pain killer as well as a hefty dose of Aloe Vera, but, even better for actually helping his body get over the sun burn, was the almost pure Aloe Vera (Aloe Max 100) we picked up from Key West Aloe which has many fantastic products based on high dose, high quality Aloe Vera.  I have never seen skin act like his did when I put the almost pure Aloe Vera on.

About 20 minutes after applying it his skin went white, like classic peeling skin, and then when he showered the whole lot just disappeared, unlike the kind of patchy peeling skin I am used to.

We had just bought a small sample tube of gel, so had to go back to the shop for a bigger bottle.  As I walked in the lady behind the counter just smiled and nodded Yup.  It really works.

If you are in Mexico and suffering from sunburn there are many places that offer products with extremely high doses of aloe vera or you may even be offered chunks of the plant, which you break in half and rub all over your body, as in the Temazcal, Cozumel.

If there ever is a next time I would also try their Comfortcaine, which contains Lidocaine – like Solarcaine.

See also Solarcaine and Temazcal.

Amethyst Steam Room

Although the generic steam room is very common these days, a lot of spas are now adding a new twist with the Amethyst Steam Room.  This is essentially a normal steam room, but with either a large chunk of amethyst to improve the room’s healing properties (as at The Spa At Mandarin Oriental London), or an infusion of amethyst in the steam itself at some other spas.

In particular it is supposed to help people to stop overworking and relax, ease bad dreams and generally heal everything that ails you.

Having experienced one at The Spa At Mandarin Oriental London I really enjoyed the extra boost!

I must admit I am not overly excited about crystal healing, and when I first walked into the Amethyst Steam Room by myself I was kind of making fun of it, dancing around and being silly until I felt a strong sense of sit down, shut up and let it heal you, which I did. 

Senspa also has an excellent Amethyst Steam Room.

See Crystal Healing and Steam Room.

Angel Healing

My friend, Hayley Felton, had just qualified in this treatment so I had the great privilege of being one of her first clients.  There's no massage and you remain fully clothed, but you still lie on a massage bed for about an hour, while Hayley works with the angels to heal you. 

Like Reiki there's every chance that you may feel nothing, but on this occasion, and on the next occasion (when Hayley did this as a distance treatment) I felt like I was letting go of my problems, feeling a deep sense of peace and, at the end, when Hayley talked about some of the thoughts that had come to her through the session I felt that something very special had happened.  One of the lovely gifts from this treatment is a short affirmation and positive message that Hayley writes down for you to take away.  Mine is on a card that sits in my purse, and which is dog-eared from my constantly taking it out to read and take heart from.

It's wonderful to have some of the deep wisdom that comes from healing treatments just there in my purse, so that when I am thinking frustrated and confused thoughts (and buying a coffee) it pops up for me and sets me back on my path.

See also Distance Treatment.

Arabian Massage

Any treatment in The Spa, Dolphin Square is an opportunity to get lost in Arabia.  Even popping in to visit their shop, opening the heavy wood door, experiencing the thick curtains leading to the dark, sensual spa is like visiting Morocco, so their Arabian Massage cannot really be separated from the caring ritual surrounding it.

As this treatment involves an abrasive body scrub it's not recommended to be booked with the hammam scrub (which was fine as I've tried that before) but we were still welcome to use the salt steam room and relax in the tepidarium on their ceramic loungers before the treatment began.

If I'm honest I think they forget about us, and I had to come back to reception to remind them of our treatment time.  Having said that, once they started our treatments they more than made up for any lack.

Going into the massage I was experiencing all the usual issues that people complain of.  Instead of looking forward to my massage I was feeling stressed, worried about all the many things on my to do list.  Through being set up on the very comfy bed, with rose petals under my face, through the body scrub, through my shower (which was in the massage room – always a plus) and through the beginning of the massage my mind was racing and I was feeling bored (or rather I could be doing so many other things if I wasn't here…) and then I woke up to the sound of my own snoring.

This massage is described as being derived from the ancient Bedouin travellers to completely relax and free the mind.  It works.

I can't separate out one move or technique, there were elbows and forearms used, some excellent oils, I remember being impressed with what she was doing with my feet but this treatment is much more than the sum of its parts.

To me this was an extremely authentic Arabian Massage because it delivered what I have experienced in Morocco in traditional spas - the feeling of being completely taken care of.

In fact I was even more impressed with the after care; the bed was lifted electrically, then my therapist left me to wake up, before escorting me unhurriedly to the lounge area where I met my friend and they wrapped us up in fluffy blankets before serving us tea and nibbles (much more relaxing than in the tepidarium).

This is why the ancient Bedouins travelled in the first place.

See also La Sultane De Saba.

Arctic Plunge

See Plunge Pool.

Argan Oil

Long used by Moroccans for massage, hair and other body treatments, in the last few years the UK has gone crazy for Argan oil.  Like any wonder product it's worth double checking the actual content of any products claiming to be Argan oil something as the actual percentage of authentic oil can be tiny or even non-existent. 

If you can get pure Argan oil (much cheaper in Morocco, as you might imagine) or a good quality product, it can work miracles on deep-set lines and dry patches on your body and face.  I also love Moroccanoil (see separate entry) for my hair, which conditions and add volume to my hair better than any other single product, except Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion.