April 16, 2007
Weight Management Through Spa Therapies
Spas are more than just a place to relax your mind, your muscles and help you to achieve Spavelous skin. Now, they are a place to get back in shape. With more and more people leading sedentary, stressed lives, filled with poor dietary habits, increased body weight has been on an exponential rise inflicting adults and kids alike.
As summer quickly approaches and the snow begins to thaw across the country, more people are now looking for a motivation to get back in shape. While we all realize that diet, exercise and an establish routine to eliminate stress causing factors from our lives will give us the results we desire, we still look for and want a quick fix.
The solutions are being found in spas throughout the United States with a variety of treatments. Moreover, people are now willing to experiment in order to lose weight and are jumping at any alternative, even if it is not tried and tested.
Weight management and spas
Spas have been known to people as healing centers where alternative therapies cure a myriad of ailments. Taking a holistic approach, spas can cure in a gentle nurturing way. Though weight reduction through spa treatments seemed to be unusual in the past, many people now realize that you can target fat and cellulite with a relaxing treatment that does not involve active exercise. Spa therapies combine the best of therapies from ancient cultures, with the high technology of the present. Here are few for you to look into:
Body wrap
The major contributors to fat and cellulite include alcohol, caffeine, sugar and salt. Each of these items fills the body with toxins that accumulate over a period. These are harmful in that they are the root of acne, skin disorders, and fat depositions under the tissue. A body wrap detoxifies the body of these deadly toxins. There are keys to the success of wraps, they include Time (how long you are wrapped up) Ingredients (the products used on your skin), how warm you get. Yes, you need to break a sweat and finally, how relaxed you are. The body does a better job releasing toxins if you are not stressed. The objective of a wrap is to accelerate your body’s metabolism so you will lose weight faster. The method of the wrap will vary by establishment. Some will do a cocoon wrap in a thermal blanket; others will do more of an ace bandage wrap, where the bandages have been soaked in essential oils. If you are having a wrap, then you are encouraged to drink large amounts of water before, during, and after the treatment, since it is believed that water rids the body of unwanted toxins. Repeatedly subjecting the body to this therapy will help you lose weight. Many claim to have lost more than 6 inches within a single session of body wrap. While many day spas offer this procedure with costs ranging between $110 and $150. If you are considering this, then check with your spa to see if they offer discounts for a series of treatments. Maximum benefit can only be achieved through a series. To maintain your results longer, you are encouraged to: avoid alcohol, sugar, caffeine, drink plenty of water and incorporate activity into your life.
Stellar Spa 26, Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, California 415-924-7300
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, a five thousand year old healing therapy developed in China has lately become the toast of the spa industry, particularly after its benefits in weight management and weight control were discovered. The west had not even heard of acupuncture, leave alone acupuncture weight loss, till recently. And when it did, it looked askance at acupuncture, a procedure wherein the skin of the patient is punctured using extremely thin needles. The west did not understand this eastern concept of healing, and was initially also a bit apprehensive to embrace this treatment. But, now that it has brought home this concept, there is no looking back, and weight loss through acupuncture is fast gaining acceptance. The treatment focuses on activating endorphins, the happiness hormones of the body. These endorphins curtail your desire to overeat, by getting released in the body. Thus the therapy targets the cravings instead of directly targeting weight.
The therapy essentially starts with the pressure points, the most important one situated just behind the ear. Though our body consists of about a thousand pressure points all to cure various ailments, the weight loss point lies behind the ears. The therapist first inserts five needles at specific points behind your ears. Four of these points are directly connected to the lungs, liver, kidneys and the nervous system, while the fifth one is for relaxation. The stimulation of specific organs releases endorphins to begin the weight loss process, which in turn, target the binges that are experienced by a compulsive eater. The procedure either decreases or completely does away with the craving for carbohydrates, thus decreasing your appetite. Acupuncture improves the function of two nuroendocrine pathways that regulate metabolism, to aid weight reduction. It mainly performs the functions of lowering weight, insulin levels, body fat, and lipid levels. Hence it is effective not only in losing body fat, but also keeping it off.
Acupuncture can also be used to treat cellulite. To find a reputable acupuncturist that can do treatments for cellulite visit www.acufinder.com
Suddenly Slimmer, 3313 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85018 602-952-8446
Endermologie
Endermologie is one of the most popular treatments for cellulite it uses a motorized machine that has rollers that lift, stretch, spin and suck the skin. The treatment loosens the connective tissues that gives fat and skin that bumpy texture. It improves the circulation and helps make the skin appear smoother. Cost can range from $50 to $150 a session with up to 14 visits being recommended.
The Pamper House Day Spa 804 West Abram, Arlington, Texas 817-860-4415
Tri-Active LaserDermology
Tri-Active LaserDermology is another treatment for cellulite. It combines a machine that gives a suction massage, localized cooling, and heated laser stimulation to the skin and fat beneath. It breaks down fat pockets and increases circulation. 10 to 15 sessions are usually required and costs can range from $100-$200 per treatment.
VelaSmooth
VelaSmooth consists of radio frequency waves to break up fat pockets and infrared heat to improve circulation followed by massage to loosen connective tissue. Currently VelaSmooth is the first and leading FDA-cleared non-invasive medical solution for the reduction of cellulite.www.syneron.com/cellulite.html
Bellini Salon & Day Spa 112 Pleasant St SW, Vienna, Virginia 703-255-2555
Anushka
The Anushka 5 week Body Contouring Program combines personalized diet, topical lotions, muscle stimulation, inflatable leg boots, body wraps, and rollers to tone and firm thighs and break down cellulite.
Anushka Day Spa & Cellulite Clinic, 502 Madison Ave., New York, New York 10022 212-3558-6404
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a treatment that injects a solution of enzymes and detergents into troubled areas to melt away fat. The treatment was developed in France over 50 years ago but is not regulated in the United States.
White Orchid Medical Spa 8851 Center Dr. Suite 312 La Mesa, California 91942 619-433-0344
There are many more spa treatments that are available for weight management and cellulite reduction. To select the right one for you do your research, speak to people who have had it done. Be realistic, and remember that for you to maintain the results you need to do your at home daily part. For me, I avoid sugar, have a minimal amount of caffeine, drink plenty of water and powdered green tea, wear my cellulite sneakers with cellulite pantyhose, and maintain a positive healthy attitude while avoiding negative people and stressful environments. Of course, a spa treatment now and again keeps me looking SPAVELOUS!
Make it a Spavelous SPA WEEK!!!
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