Alternative spa therapies, treatments and remedies

Nikki Goldstein and Jenna Moore road test therapies, treatments and remedies that not only calm the body and mind, but uplift the spirits, too.

The line between beauty therapy and complementary or alternative medicine has forever blurred. There was a time when a visit to the beauty therapist involved a simple wax and polish, but today’s best salons and spas offer a range of therapies from counselling to kinesiology, as well as the more traditional offering of facials and massages. And the changes are evident at natural therapies centres, too. In many clinics you’ll find medical herbalists and naturopaths practising right next door to holistic beauty therapists and medi-spa practitioners, who offer everything from Botox to laser treatments.

Savvy and time-poor men and women now demand one-stop destinations for pampering and healing the mind, body and spirit. And while we’re seeing more and more centres catering to the shifting demands of customers, we’re also seeing the rise of multi-function treatments designed to get the best possible results for clients. A facial in 2007 is no longer a superficial treatment. Good therapists will aim to relax the body and soothe the soul at the same time as reducing the signs of wear and tear on the skin. Likewise, a reflexology session or massage treatment will aim to wipe the signs of stress and ageing from your face and body.

We tried a range of treatments that are all designed to bring balance and repose to stressed-out city slickers.

Hot stone therapy

Nikki: It’s not often that I have the time, or rather allow myself the time to indulge in a purely pampering treatment that’s just about relaxation. Like many working mums, I try to maximise all my pampering and grooming times by multi-tasking. You know the drill − while getting your colour done you make 10 phone calls or you text continuously while getting a ‘relaxing’ pedicure.

When I booked into Spa de Mer for a Sabai Hot Stone Therapy, I’d had a frantic month and I confess if I hadn’t left it too late to cancel, I would have made some excuse for rescheduling. I had so much on my ‘to do’ list that the thought of an hour of indulgence actually made me feel more stressed.

Funny how the mind works though, because as soon as I entered the spa, inhaled the essential oils and slipped into a robe in preparation for my treatment, all the worries I had about what I should have been doing with my time evaporated. As I lay face-down on the table my therapist briefly explained that the treatment worked as a massage, loosening tight muscles and boosting the circulation. However, the treatment is specifically designed to improve the flow of energy in the body as the hot stones, made of energising minerals, are laid out on the chakras (energy centres) over the back, as well as the buttocks and legs.

It didn’t take very long before the warmth of the stones and the pure aromatic essential oils started to ease the tension out of my taut shoulders, neck and lower back. But what I found most impressive about this treatment was the deep feeling of relaxation it induced. I fell into an alpha state (not sleep, but a state of restful alertness – somewhat like meditation) during the session. So while the therapist rolled, pressed and kneaded the warm stones into my flesh, I melted into blissful oblivion.

When my treatment finished all I wanted to do was sleep. I had to draw on all my resources to scrape myself off the bed and get dressed. As I was making the long drive home my mind was still and my heart was beating at a slow and steady pace. For the first time in weeks I actually felt grounded and serene. The treatment was a stark reminder that I had let my ‘busyness’ take control of my mind, body and spirit. I resolved that it was time to get some balance back into my life. That’s what I call an effective treatment. The treatment costs $145 for 60 minutes. Spa de Mer: (02) 9544 4472; www.spademer.com.au.

Reflexology

Nikki: When Kate Ciok greeted me at the door of her Sanctuary clinic, I knew I was going to have an amazing treatment. Kate is a reflexologist, but she’s also a Reiki Master (a form of energetic healing that originated in Japan) and has a diploma in energetic healing from Nature Care College, plus further qualifications from The Australian School of Reflexology. Basically, Kate channels energy through her hands to heal, balance and rejuvenate the body.

She started with a warm aromatherapeutic foot bath, which felt instantly relaxing. Next, she ushered me to her massage table where I comfortably laid on my back for an hour and a half while she performed reflexology on my feet, hands, head, scalp and ears.

Kate’s version of reflexology is largely based on traditional Chinese medicine. The idea is that the practitioner uses their fingers, instead of needles, to stimulate the reflex points (which are pretty much the same as acupuncture points) on the feet to stimulate the organs and energy systems of the body. The action of pressing and releasing the points also stimulates the immune and nervous systems and the circulation. It’s particularly effective in the treatment of conditions such as PMS, irritable bowel syndrome, back pain and stress.

I love reflexology. For me, it’s more relaxing than a full-body massage, but beyond the therapy itself I felt privileged to have been treated by a practitioner as masterful as Kate. Sometimes the real benefits come from the synergy between the client and the practitioner – those rewards cannot be easily measured. Reflexology treatments, incorporating massage and hot stone therapy, range from $90 for one hour to $135 for one hour and 35 minutes. Sanctuary: 0438 681 318; www.kateatavalon.com.

Kinesiology

Nikki: Kinesiology is a non-invasive holistic therapy designed to detect, and then balance, the underlying causes of disease and disharmony in the mind-body system. It uses a technique of ‘muscle testing’ to pinpoint stress held in the tissues so it can be released through massage, chiropractic manipulation, homeopathic remedies or acupressure. I had been feeling anxious about my health, so I went to see Matthew Bourke, a chiropractor at Optimum Health Essentials who uses kinesiology as a diagnostic tool. My father died of cancer five years ago and I’d recently worried that I might be susceptible to the disease.

I wanted to find ways and means of keeping it at bay. Matthew began by taking a thorough medical history and I found that simply airing my health concerns in a safe environment was instantly helpful. (It’s interesting how fears become magnified when they’re left to fester in the mind.) Once I was on the massage table, Matthew began the muscle testing process.

I was fully clothed while he worked his way around my body, asking questions and testing my muscles for their responses. Matthew uncovered a range of issues from some nutritional deficiencies to blocks in my emotional and energetic fields. What sounds quite esoteric on paper is actually very practical when you’re in the hands of an experienced and trusted practitioner.

Matthew suggested some X-rays for my neck (which I thought was out of alignment as I’d been getting headaches for a while) and asked me to book another appointment so we could get on with the “corrections”. Kinesiology is not a quick fix. Rather, it’s a process that takes time and patience so you can unravel the complex symptoms that manifest in your body and mind. I was surprised by how light I felt after my first appointment. What was clear to me was that it was a great relief to get my concerns off my chest and have them examined by a caring professional. I look forward to my next appointment. Optimum Health Essentials: (02) 9999 1680.

Ilcsi Yoga Facial

Jenna: As a beauty writer, I’m an old hand at beauty therapy treatments, but after a hectic week running around Sydney from one appointment to another, I was looking forward to an enforced break. As I arrived at the headquarters of yoga guru and massage and beauty therapist, Marina de Kraker, I was anticipating the Ilcsi Yoga Facial she’d developed. I’d been told the treatment went beyond traditional cleansing and massage to incorporate healing techniques for beauty and wellbeing which, considering how my life had been for the past few days, was more of a need than a want.

As Marina welcomed me I was immediately taken by her warmth and the aura of calm she radiates. Marina asked me to lie on the massage table under a blanket, and come up with an affirmation, which I would repeat throughout the treatment. This powerful technique is used in many Eastern philosophies as well as modern-day positive-thinking practices and I try to use it as often as possible. On this occasion, my chosen affirmation was: ‘I am calm and relaxed.’ In hindsight, I wonder if I should have chosen something different as these two states turn out to be a guaranteed by-product of the facial. Next, Marina asked me to take a series of deep breaths, known in yoga as Pranic breathing – it was quite incredible how it immediately relaxed me and slowed down what I’m sure was my surging blood pressure. As I focused on my breath, Marina waved the glorious fragrance of rose oil under my nose, the purpose of which, she explained, was to open the heart chakra energy centre. At this stage I was completely blissed out and the soothing feeling of having my skin cleansed and a mask applied only took it further. Marina asked me to follow her breath − long, slow, controlled breathing − which took me to an almost meditative state.

While I was completely relaxed (I’m sure I was almost snoring) I was treated to an acupressure massage on my face, neck and décolletage. Acupressure is an ancient Chinese practice which involves manipulating various pressure points.

As Marina worked I could literally feel the loosening of the bumps and tension that I tend to hold in my neck. I found myself in a state of complete peace and feeling wonderful. Marina moved around me, applying pressure to parts of my body, which is apparently a yoga technique for grounding; it feels almost comforting. I was disappointed to hear the soft ring of a bell, which I know means the treatment has come to an end, and I thought to myself, ‘Do I really have to get up and go?’.

As I reluctantly left Marina’s oasis of calm, I noticed my previous ‘on-the-run’ stance had been replaced by a sense of calm and my skin felt amazing. A couple of hours later I was on a plane bound for Auckland and it was one of the most relaxing flights I have ever taken. The treatment costs $150. True Solutions International: 1800 808 993.

Jade Essence Energy Balance Treatment

Jenna: When I booked in for a Jade Essence Energy Balance Treatment with Auckland-based energy medicine practitioner and educator, Mary Cox, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I can now say it was one of the most profound treatments I’ve ever had.

On arrival, Mary asked me to choose from an array of flower and ocean essences. I chose Pink Flower, which indicated I needed help with chronic body symptoms. She then took me over to a ceramic pitcher and basin for an ‘energetic foot release’. At the bottom of the basin lay neatly placed ocean shells and rose quartz. At the side of the bowl was a large Shiva river stone, a beautiful, oval-shaped, two-toned stone. Gathered twice a year by a family in India by ox and cart, it helps bring harmony and balance to the body and dispels fatigue and negativity. 

As I sipped on a cup of oriental wellbeing tea, Mary held my feet under fragrant warm water and pumped my calves, explaining this helps the release of blocked and negative energy. 

I moved to the massage table where Mary placed an eight-pointed jade star on my forehead (or third eye), jade spheres and paua shells strategically down my body, and a small Shiva stone in my hands. The energised crystals and shells are said to help clear and balance the body. She then massaged my face with a jade wand and I recalled reading that royal women in the Orient used this technique to retain their youth. Mary then applied a mask over my face and neck and painted it in strips on my décolletage, telling me this resembles images of Cleopatra. Clear quartz crystals were then placed over my closed eyes.

She then used an exfoliating mit to scrub my legs, back, tummy, chest and arms, which felt delightful, and massaged fragrant oil into the areas she had scrubbed. The smoothness followed by the relative roughness felt amazing. I was then treated to a hair and scalp massage − a marvellous head-to-toe feeling and, just when I thought it was all over, she removed the mask and used both hot and cold crystal spheres over my face − known as Cryotherapy. Afterwards, my skin was radiant and looked more youthful and ‘lifted’ – an effect of Cryotherapy which will last for a few hours. Overall, I felt light and energised, and the feeling increased over the next few days. The treatment costs $175. Beauty, Spa & Wellbeing (head office): 643 417 4926 (NZ).

 

Photography: Steven Chee. Hair & make-up: Angie Barton.