Soothing spa ’staycation’ relieves years of pain
Bill Lukas usually goes on an out-of-state summer vacation with his wife and two daughters each year. With the cost of gas increasing last spring, the family decided to try something new: “staycations.”

Rather than traveling the country, the Lukas family visited closer locations like Port Huron, Silver Lake Dunes, Frankenmuth, the Toledo Zoo and various local festivals, fairs and small towns.

“In past years, a summer vacation to an out-of-state destination was a given. This year, it was decided that the summer vacation would consist of a different concept as we wanted to ensure that the budget would not be compromised; thus, affecting our primary family winter vacation to Florida,”

Lukas said. “The family agreed that we would partake in the new concept of ’staycations’ by doing day trips that involve the exploration of local Michigan activities, historic landmarks, metro parks, beaches, fairs, carnivals, outdoor concerts, camping, physical fitness activities, bike riding and anything that promotes better health and welfare.”

Lukas, 49, was at Leo’s Coney Island in Novi talking to a waitress last month about his chronic hip pain and general lack of energy when she suggested he look into Paradise Island Tan & Spa, which opened July 7 in the West Market Square plaza on the northwest corner of Grand River Avenue and Beck Road.

“I called the salon and was connected with the owner, Jody, who spent a long time with me on the phone asking questions about the problems my wife and I have been experiencing over the years regarding health issues such as pain, discomfort, weight loss, lack of detoxification, no purification of the body and our individual health goals,” Lukas said. “I was impressed at her knowledge and the research she obviously has completed as she suggested new natural treatments and equipment she has available.

The next Lukas family staycation didn’t even take them out of their hometown, as all four family members spent time receiving natural treatments at Paradise Island Tan & Spa.

The trip

After arriving at and getting a tour of the spa, Lukas’ 50-year-old wife, Jean, received the FormoStar infrared body wrap treatment to help lose inches, tone up and address back pain.

“My wife was very intrigued as she lay on the massage table and was wrapped in these heavy rubber strips. According to the owner, these strips generate far infrared rays that penetrate the muscles approximately seven centimeters,” Lukas said. “My wife raved on how enjoyable this experience was.”
Jody Link, a Novi resident who co-owns Paradise Island Tan & Spa with her husband, Paul, said the FormoStar procedure burns 900-1,200 calories in 15-minutes after taking 10 minutes to warm up. Six 60-minute visits will result in an inch of weight loss.
“It takes care of so many things,” Link said. “A lot of women come in for inch loss. It actually works. It eliminates cellulite.”

While his wife got toned up, Lukas tried the MIGUN Thermal Massage Bed, which provides deep tissue, acupressure and heat therapy all at the same time by using green jade that, when heated, emits far infrared rays that penetrate into the muscle.

“I can tell you that I have had many massages throughout my life, and this piece of technology far outshines any past massage,” Lukas said. “When I woke up, I felt amazing, my stress was gone, the pain in my hip area was non-existent, I felt energized and relaxed.”

While the Lukas parents received their treatments, their 11- and 13-year-old daughters, Jessica and Erin, received hair wraps and toxin-free temporary tattoos.

“His wife had an hour treatment and his was 35 minutes. I went in there and he was asleep and I just reset it for him. He was finally getting rest,” Link said. “Everyone’s going through a lot of hard times, so that’s why we give a lot of products away for free.

“I’m a small fish in a big pond. If they can walk out of my salon and feel better about themselves, then I’ve done my job.”

The cost of the spa’s 11 different treatments are all based on other local prices and include facials, full waxing, hair wraps, tanning and more.
“This was the most unique and rewarding experience that my family has taken in this type of situation,” Lukas said. “Those two treatments alone have remarkably stayed with both of us.”

Link and her husband did three years of research – taking courses, traveling to spas across the nation testing out different methods and products, and sitting in on drug rehab sessions – before opening their business two months ago.

“We’re not your typical tanning salon. We’re mainly a detoxification spa,” Link said, noting her treatments have helped sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and Lou Gehrig’s patients live past their doctor’s life expectations. “I’ve had a lot of (personal physicians) and chiropractors call me and ask what I did to their clients because they felt great.”

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