With the economy slumping and fuel prices soaring, facials and massages may not be a top priority for consumers on a budget.

“You can still go and have a spa experience without spending a ton of money,” says Veronica Cole of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif. “Many spas, like ours, offer use of our facilities with one treatment, so you can come spend hours relaxing.”

In other words, if you can’t afford a weekend or overnight stay, consider booking one massage or scrub at a destination spa, which usually entitles you to use the pool, steam room and other facilities for the day.

The Ojai Valley Inn, located not far from Los Angeles, is a destination spa known for its blooming lavender gardens and an approach that draws on Native American traditions. Cole said carving out an hour or two and hanging out at the spa can be relaxing enough to make you feel like you’re on a mini-vacation.

Jaime Huffman of the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, N.C., said more 50-minute massages have been made available recently instead of more expensive 80-minute massages.

 

The Cliff House Resort & Spa in Ogunquit, Maine, offers a $99 spa sampler on Sundays.

Booking midweek is usually cheaper than weekend trips, and spa owners suggest asking about specials like a mother-daughter discount or a family discount. Most spas have them but don’t necessarily talk them up.

Cole also suggested asking the therapist or aesthetician for tips on how to continue the regimen at home.

“It’s not that we don’t want you to come and stay with us for days – we do,” she said. “But if it’s a choice between thinking it’s too expensive and skipping it altogether, we’d rather you just come for something small.”

Spas are still growing despite the economy: 138 million people visited spas around the country in 2007, according to the most recent industry figures from the International Spa Association. And spa revenue in 2007 was $10 billion, the organization said, up from just over $9 billion the year before. Data for 2008 shows that spas continue to grow, the association said.

Spa operators also suggest considering a spa vacation as an alternative to going to Europe or taking some other big trip. There’s rarely a need to drive once you’re at a destination spa, so you won’t be spending money on gas. And an all-inclusive booking means that lodging, food, pools, the locker room and other amenities and facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms are included in the cost.

“You can really retreat to a spa, and there are no unaccounted costs because you pay upfront,” said Lola Roeh, general manager of the Osthoff Resort, which is home to the Aspira Spa in Elkhart Lake, Wis. “You can chose to add on costs, like additional treatments, but that’s up to you.”

Destination spas can be pricey – $500 for a weekend or more – but it’s possible to cut other costs if you decide to vacation at one. The Lodge at Woodloch, located about two hours outside of New York in Hawley, Pa., is far enough away from the city that visitors can feel like they’re on a real vacation, but close enough to take a bus or train from Manhattan and save on gas. And you don’t have to stay a week or five days – many spas offer two-night stays that can still be relaxing.

Many other spas are located outside of major metropolitan areas, like Kohler’s newest day spa in Burr Ridge, Ill., outside Chicago. The company, known for its faucets, paired a showroom with the spa so clients can sit in whirlpools or fancy tubs and do shopping for remodeling, too.

Along with tips for spa-goers on a budget, other themes emerged at the Aug. 21 spa meeting. Here are five trends shaping today’s spa experience.

 

BUSY BEES: Many spas are catering to the stresses on busy workers. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va., is offering a Wi-Fi massage geared toward the muscles you use when you’re at the computer. Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y. offers meditation to help calm nerves.

 

THE FIRST TIME:

Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla., offers a clothed massage – for people who are afraid of going in the buff to a treatment. A survey of spa-goers last year found 70 percent who hadn’t tried a massage were uncomfortable with being naked or partially naked. This massage eases people into the treatment – and hopefully allows them to feel more comfortable to go full Monty later on.

COUPLES TOO:

Ginny Lopis of The Lodge at Woodloch says she’s seeing more and more couples booking spa getaways. At least half the guests these days are male, she says. “It’s really not just for ladies anymore,” she said. “We get husbands and boyfriends here who really enjoy it.” Other spas say they are seeing more couples, also.

GO GREEN:

Spas are getting greener, from homeopathic treatments at the JW Marriott Spa Collection to an eco-friendly spa at Mohonk Mountain House that uses organic products made from locally grown ingredients. The Kohler spas are big on water conservation, and use eco-friendly shower heads and toilets.

DISTINGUISH FROM THE MASSES:

With more than 18,000 spas around the country, establishments are distinguishing themselves by offering unique treatments and products. The Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts spas offer a lava shell neck treatment, which uses shells, applied in the same way that heated stones are sometimes used in massage.

 

The Lake Austin Spa Resort located outside Austin, Texas, offers yoga and spa treatments for those with asthma and allergies.

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Stress is Less with Massage

 

National consumer research released today said 81% of American adults feel as stressed (45%) or more stressed (36%) now than they did a year ago and are using a variety of strategies to cope. The research was conducted by Harstad Strategic Research and sponsored by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP).1

Despite the sour economy, the overall use of massage therapy remains consistent: 14% of adult Americans had a professional massage in 2008 compared to 12% in 2004 and 16% in 2006. Those who did not receive a massage in 2008 were more likely to cite their pocketbooks as the reason than in previous surveys.

Among those who had a professional massage in 2008, 58% said they did so for “relaxation, restoration or stress relief,” and 85% of 2008 massage users were satisfied with the experience, predicting they would seek massage again in 2009.

“When many people are curtailing spending on vacations and other big-ticket items, massage is an ideal and lower-cost option for reducing stress,” said ABMP president and nationally certified massage therapist Les Sweeney. “Massage therapy has been shown to reduce stress hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, strengthen the immune system and improve attentiveness, so it’s an excellent strategy for challenging times.”

The nation’s leading mental health association, Mental Health America, recommends massage therapy as a way to diffuse stress. Some employers are turning to workplace massage to help employees cope with uncertain times and increased workloads.

“As employers are looking for ways to manage workplace productivity and stress, perhaps using fewer employees to do more work, some are bringing chair massage into the mix,” Sweeney said. “At about $1 a minute, it’s an inexpensive way to maintain loyalty, and manage anxiety and lost work time.”

Another Harstad Research finding was that visits to all types of health professionals, including medical doctors, declined slightly in 2008 as compared to 2006.

“This is not surprising in a year of belt-tightening throughout the economy,” Sweeney said. “It may be a matter of postponing rather than forgoing care. Consumers should keep in mind massage could be useful in helping stave off routine doctor visits, co-pays and missed work time because of the immunity-boosting power of massage.”

The proportion of adults who made at least one visit to a massage therapist (14%) again exceeded the proportions visiting a chiropractor (12%) or a physical therapist (9%). Forty-two percent of American adults have received at least one massage in their lifetime.

Reference

1 The January 2009 Health Care Survey was conducted by Harstad Strategic Research, Inc., the national public opinion research firm in Boulder, Colo. The survey results are based upon 602 random telephone interviews among adults age 21 or older nationwide. Interviews were conducted from Jan. 6 to 11, 2009. A random sample of 602 has a worst-case 95 percent confidence interval of plus or minus 4.0 percent about any one reported percentage.

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Melanoma Progression Seen to Be Affected by Stress Levels

Another reason to encourage relaxation and stress relief at the spa—melanoma has been found to progress more rapidly in those that are stressed.

Stress appears to hasten the progression of aggressive or advanced melanoma skin cancer, but commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs may slow the disease and improve the quality of patients’ lives, according to an Ohio State University study.

In laboratory tests, the researchers exposed samples of three melanoma cell lines to the stress hormone norepinephrine and looked for changes in the levels of certain proteins released by the cells: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates the growth of new blood vessels to feed a growing tumor; and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), which play a role in tumor growth.

When exposed to norepinephrine, all three melanoma cell lines increased production of the three proteins. In C8161 cells—the most aggressive and advanced form of melanoma—there was “a 2,000% increase in IL-6. In untreated samples from this cell line, you normally can’t detect any IL-6 at all,” Eric V. Yang, a research scientist at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, said in an OSU news release. “What this tells us is that stress might have a worse effect on melanoma that is in a very aggressive or advanced stage, and that one marker for that might be increased levels of IL-6,” Yang said.

The researchers found that norepinephrine molecules bind to receptors on the surface of cancer cells, which stimulates the release of the pro-cancer proteins. Further tests showed that common beta-blocker blood pressure drugs significantly reduced melanoma cells’ production of IL-6 and the other two proteins. The drugs did this by blocking the receptors on the surface of the cancer cells.

The findings, published in the February issue of the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, suggest that beta-blockers may help slow the progression of melanoma, Yang and colleagues said. Each year in the United States, almost 48,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed and nearly 8,000 people die of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

More information

The American Academy of Dermatology has more about melanoma.

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Massage school sponsors food drive

CEDAR CITY – Healing Mountain Massage School’s Cedar City campus is kicking off their first “Will Massage for Food!” campaign during December. Student practitioners working in the school’s massage clinic and day spa will accept canned food items in exchange for an equal amount of cash on massage and spa treatment sessions. The purpose of the campaign is two-fold. “We want to help those who are in need, while promoting awareness of the benefits of massage,” said Susie Young, assistant campus director at Healing Mountain Massage School. Collected canned goods will be donated to Care and Share in Cedar City.

Healing Mountain Massage School, which has its headquarters in Salt Lake City, is the only massage school in the intermountain west region with a day spa component available to students to practice in.

For more information about the campaign or information about student massage clinic and day spa services, contact the school at 586-8222.

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Spa-Los Gatos aids cancer patients through massage therapy treatments

Each time Carol Walter steps into the Spa-Los Gatos, she knows a safe haven awaits her. Reclining atop the massage table’s snowy sheets, with soothing lights and a trace of music tinkling in the background, she revels in the healing touch of massage therapist Shannon Hartwig. In moments, the rhythms of Hartwig’s hands bring Walter respite from her worries.

But Walter isn’t the typical spa visitor seeking an hour’s escape. Since July 24 the young wife and mother of two has been undergoing aggressive chemotherapy for Stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer. Hers is an extremely rare strain of the disease: Since its presence cannot be detected via traditional mammograms or sonagraphy, IBC often reaches an advanced stage prior to diagnosis. Walter will complete eight rounds of chemo to shrink her tumors before sacrificing her left breast in January; radiation and more chemo will follow her surgery. Scarves already camouflage her baldness.

All too often, cancer patients seeking the type of human touch that so restores Walter are told that no services are available to them. But Spa-Los Gatos owner Patti Rice has made it a point to add oncology wellness massage Read more…

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Massage business essential in helping people relax

Ambient light illuminated the room, lulling the client into a relaxed state and providing just enough luminescence for the therapist to follow the lines of her muscles.

Outside, cars sped past on Del Prado Boulevard. But inside Body Essential Massage, massage therapist George Kolebas’ room was quiet, serene. It was a much more stressful event that led client Heide Gabriel-Zwaetz to seek the help of massage therapy. Read more…

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Five Surprising Benefits of Massage

We know a massage feels good, but it can have a host of therapeutic advantages, too.
 
The newest cure-all may be an ancient one: simple touch. The Chinese have been using massage for all kinds of medical conditions for centuries. Now, Western research is confirming that massage isn’t just for muscle pain. One of the most surprising findings: massage may help premature babies gain weight. When Tiffany Field, a professor of pediatrics, became a new mother, she massaged her premature infant daughter and was so impressed with the results she later founded the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Read more…

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Massaging your troubles away

In the past, massages have been viewed as a luxury. A good massage lifts the spirits, decreases anxiety and stress, and can be energizing. Beyond the “feel good” aspects, employers may incorporate massage therapy into their Wellness Program to increase morale, reduce work-related injuries and increase productivity and overall well being for the employee.

While your friend or spouse may give a great back rub, it takes formal training and a state license to be a massage therapist. Colby Williams is the Massage Program Director at Seacoast Career Schools. According to Mr. Williams, a massage therapy program includes the sciences with emphasis on anatomy and physiology, hands-on and class instruction in various techniques and a course in business and career development. Massage types such as Swedish (basic relaxation), deep tissue (used for muscle trigger points and other particular problems), and hot stone are taught. While the State of Maine requires a minimum of 500 hours of instruction, the Seacoast Career Schools program is 900 hours. Laws vary from state to state, but Maine and all other states require state licensure. Occupational therapists and physical therapists may also use massage techniques. Massage therapists can seek advanced training in individual techniques, or specialize in areas such as feet, hands, or face.

Massage therapy has been evaluated in medical research and literature. The Mayo Clinic web site on alternative medicine explains several physical benefits of massage. Premature babies who are gently massaged regularly seem to gain weight faster. Massage has also been shown to improve the condition of women in labor. In fact, Goodall Hospital is working with Seacoast Career Schools to offer a program making massage available to moms in labor and after delivery. It may be expanded to medical and surgical patients where it is appropriate.

An amazing number of areas have been researched. Not surprisingly, regular massages assist in the treatment of general anxiety. When used for pain of many types, massage decreases the amount of pain medication needed for the patients. Soreness related to sports and muscle overuse improves more quickly when treated with massage, which can be important to keep athletes (and workers) “in the game.” Most surprising to me were studies which show that cancer and HIV/AIDS patients receiving massages show an increase in the number of white blood cells in their blood. It has also been shown to raise the spirits and sense of well-being in cancer patients.

Here in Sanford, massage therapy is part of the Wellness Program for the town. Ronnie Champlin, the town’s finance director and Wellness Program coordinator, reports that seated back massages lasting 15-30 minutes are quite popular. The program was initiated because of a request to the Wellness Committee. They are offered monthly, and have been for 3 years.

Message therapy is good for you. So loosen up and make an appointment today.

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Visits to spas are “more than just pampering; today they are essential to a healthy lifestyle.”

During World War II, makeup was a morale booster for women, and sales of red lipstick skyrocketed.
In today’s uncertain economic times, that same feeling – updated with a tony twist – is reflected in many women’s unwillingness to relinquish beauty services that make them look and feel fabulous.

They might not splurge on fancy vacations or a new car, but they’re faithfully scrubbing, kneading and exfoliating away their stress at local day spas and beauty salons.
“It sounds cliche, but when you look good, you feel good,” says Nancy Parse of Tampa, a regular spa visitor who works in marketing. “With that in mind, I don’t feel guilty for pampering myself during these rough times. In fact, I ask myself, ‘Why don’t I do more of this?’”

Remove the cucumber slices and peel back the hydrating mask and you’ll see the international beauty industry continues to prosper, to the tune of $160 billion a year, according to London-based Economist magazine.
Lynne McNees, president of the International SPA Association, says she isn’t surprised the spa industry is doing well.

“One in four American adults has been to a spa, and 15 percent of spagoers are new to spas each year,” she said. “Spas are more than just pampering; today they are essential to a healthy spa lifestyle. The spa gives you permission to pause, and the public understands how important it is to take time for yourself, particularly during these challenging times.”

Spas in the Tampa area, owners of spas and salons report that business is brisk, despite the downturn in the economy. They say loyal customers realize the personal care and treatments they receive are essential to their well-being and help them keep their sanity through it all.

“When times get rough, spas are usually the last ones to suffer,” says Kelly Seeley, co-owner of SerenBe Day Spa in Temple Terrace. “Everyone has stress in their lives, but with all the extra outside influences – war, gas prices, elections, economy – instinctively, we have that need to nurture ourselves.”

Seeley says she has seen economic cycles that caused business to fluctuate, but clients have never totally given up on their beauty routines.

“After 9/11, we actually saw an increase in business,” she says. “People look to spas to escape and feel better; even if it’s just for a little while. And it’s still an affordable luxury.”

Seeley says her typical client is female and visits monthly, usually for a facial, “because this is where the stress shows most, on our face.” Most women like to visit with a friend or in groups. They also request massages, body scrubs and pedicures.

Louise Wachstein visits SerenBe regularly for facials. She says the benefits go far beyond simple pampering.
“It’s very important to my well-being to be able to relax in a quite place,” she said. “It’s one of those things I just can’t give up. I know the benefits outweigh whatever sacrifice I have to make to go.”
Germaine Gibbs, owner of AWA Spa in Tampa, says a spa visit can be an alternative to a high-priced getaway when the economy is bad.

“Usually come summer, spa business slows down,” she says. “This year, that theory is completely out the window. We have never had a busier summer. Instead of going out of town on vacation, many clients are opting to stay in town and enjoy what the city and our spa has to offer.”

Gibbs says a popular stress-relieving service at AWA is its signature Wellness massage, which includes a detoxifying foot bath, chakra balancing and spiral opening, followed by a scalp massage, foot reflexology and a full body massage for $135.

Even those with limited budgets can pamper themselves by taking advantage of mini versions of spa services, such as pedicures, manicures and facials that are half the cost of the full service.
Student Melissa Chamberson says she goes to the spa more this year than she has in the past, and it’s not because she makes more money.

The 20-year old says she pays for massages, waxing and facials every few weeks to deal with the stress of thinking about life, a full-time job and being on her own.
“I think I would go crazy if I didn’t have my spa visits to help relieve stress. Even if it’s just for a little while,” she says.

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Revenue in the U.S. spa industry fell to $9.4 billion in 2006, from $9.7 billion in 2005, according to the International Spa Association.  Full Article

 

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