Massage
has become an integral part of the new athletic regimen from sports medicine
clinics, to college training rooms, to professional locker rooms to Olympic
training. Growing number of trainers believe that massage can provide an
extra edge to the athletes who participate in high performance sports.
Massage has become a necessary ingredient for a complete workout. More and
more people are realizing that a complete workout routine includes not only
the exercise itself, but also caring for the wear-and-tear and minor
injuries that naturally occur with strenuous movement. The physiological and
psychological benefits of massage make it an ideal complement to a total
conditioning program.
Anyone who routinely stretches their physical limits through movement such as running, cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, tennis and other racquet sports, strength training and aerobics can benefit from a massage. There are others who does strenuous activities in a day that is not normally classified as exercise. Examples are mothers with small children, gardeners, and others who use their bodies strenuously in their work.
Incorporating massage in your conditioning program has many benefits. It helps you get into good shape faster, and with less stiffness and soreness. It helps you recover faster from heavy workouts, and relieves conditions which may cause injury.
What Happens When You Exercise?
Regular exercise increases vigor and promotes a general sense of well-being. If done in moderation, it can help relieve the effects of stress, and has been linked to decrease in psychological depression.
Regular exercise produces positive physical results like increased muscular strength and endurance, more efficient heart and respiratory functioning, and greater flexibility.
These positive physical changes occur as the body gradually adapts to the greater demands put on it by regular exercise. The body improves its functioning to meet the challenges placed on it.
Conditioning involve three steps or phases:
Tearing Down Phase when one pushes the physical limits
Recovery Phase - Important for the rebuilding phase and to obtain the full benefits of a conditioning program, and
Buildup Phase - when the system adapts to the new demands placed on it.
The 'tearing down' phase of the adaptation process often involves stiffness and soreness, especially when the amount of movement is significantly increased from what the body has been used to in the past.
Delayed muscle soreness (24-48 hours after exercise) may be caused by any of a number of different factors. Some possible causes are minor muscle or connective tissue damage, local muscle spasms that reduce blood flow, or a build up of waste products (metabolites) from energy production.
Trigger points or stress points may also cause muscle soreness and decreased flexibility. These points are specific spots in muscle and tendons which cause pain when pressed, and which may radiate pain to a larger area. They are not bruises, but are thought by some to be small areas of spasm. Trigger points may be caused by sudden trauma (like falling or being hit), or may develop over time from the stress and strain of heavy physical exertion or from repeated use of a particular muscle.
Heavily exercised muscles may also lose their capacity to relax, causing chronically tight (hypertonic) muscles, and loss of flexibility. Lack of flexibility is often linked to muscle soreness, and predisposes you to injuries, especially muscle pulls and tears. Blood flow through tight muscles is poor (ischemia), which also causes pain.
Sports Massage Techniques
Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports massage therapists must be familiar with each muscle, the muscle groups and how they are affected by the specific movements and stresses of each sport. They also are trained in the appropriate uses of hydrotherapy and cryotherapy.
Traditional western (e.g. Swedish) massage is currently the most common approach used for conditioning programs. It is frequently supplemented by other massage therapy approaches including deep tissue, trigger point work, and acupressure. Some massage therapists have special training in sports massage and greater experience working with athletes.
Sports massage therapy frequently includes the use of one or more of the following techniques:
Deep Swedish Massage
Muscle-specific applications of the standard effleurage, petrissage, vibration, and tapotement techniques.
Compression Massage
Rhythmic compression into muscles used to create a deep hypremia and softening effect in the tissues. It is generally used as a warm-up for deeper, more specific massage work.
Cross-Fiber Massage
Friction techniques applied in a general manner to create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups; or on site-specific muscle and connective tissue, deep transverse friction applied to reduce adhesions and to help create strong, flexible repair during the healing process.
Trigger Point/Tender Point Massage
Combined positioning and specific finger or thumb pressure into trigger/tender points in muscle and connective tissue, to reduce the hypersensitivity, muscle spasms and referred pain patterns that characterize the point. Left untreated, such trigger/tender points often lead to restricted and painful movement of entire body regions.
Lymphatic Massage
Stimulation of specialized lymphatic-drainage pathways, which improves the bodyนs removal of edemas and effusion.
The Benefits of Sports Massage
Regular sports massage can:
reduce the chance of injury, through proper stretching and event preparation, and through deep tissue massage;
improve range of motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance;
shorten recovery time between workouts;
maximize the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow;
enhance elimination of metabolic by-products of exercise.
(For a full description of benefits of massage see the section: Benefits of Massage)
How Does Massage Help?
Recovery. Therapeutic massage helps the body recover from the stresses of strenuous exercise, and facilitates the rebuilding phase of conditioning. The physiological benefits of massage include improved blood and lymph circulation, muscle relaxation, and general relaxation. These, in turn, lead to removal of waste products and better cell nutrition, normalization and greater elasticity of tissues, deactivation of trigger points, and faster healing of injuries. It all adds up to relief from soreness and stiffness, better flexibility, and less potential for future injury.
In addition to general recovery, massage may also focus on specific muscles used in a sport or fitness activity. For example, areas of greater stress for runners and dancers are in the legs, for swimmers in the upper body, for tennis players in the arms. These areas are more likely to be tight, lose flexibility, and develop trigger points.
Over-training. Adequate recovery is also a major factor in avoiding the over-training syndrome. Over-training is characterized by irritability, apathy, altered appetite, increased frequency of injury, increased resting heart rate, and/or insomnia. It occurs when the body is not allowed to recover adequately between bouts of heavy exercise. Therapeutic massage helps you avoid over-training by facilitating recovery through general relaxation, and its other physiological effects.
Trouble spots. . You may also have your own unique trouble spots, perhaps from past injuries. A massage therapist can pay special attention to these areas, monitor them for developing problems, and help keep them in good condition. An experienced massage therapist can also compliment treatment received from other health care professionals for various injuries. You may also have your own unique trouble spots, perhaps from past injuries. A massage therapist can pay special attention to these areas, monitor them for developing problems, and help keep them in good condition. An experienced massage therapist can also compliment treatment received from other health care professionals for various injuries.
Three Areas of Sports Massage
Sports massage may involve prevention and maintenance programs, on-site treatment before and after an athletic event, and rehabilitation programs for those who are injured during the program.
Maintenance Massage
An effective maintenance program is based on the massage therapist's understanding of anatomy and kinesiology, combined with an expert knowledge of which muscles are used in a given sport and which are likely candidates for trouble. By zeroing in on particular muscle groups and working specific tissues, the sports massage therapist can help the athlete maintain or improve range of motion and muscle flexibility. The overall objective of a maintenance program is to help the athlete reach optimal performance through injury-free training.
Event Massage
Pre-event. Pre-event sports massage is given within the four hours preceding an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries. It is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It is normally shorter (10-15 minutes) than a regular conditioning massage, and focuses on warming-up the major muscles to be used, and getting the athlete in a good mental state for competition. It also improves tissue pliability, readying the athlete for top performance. Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete, and others can be stimulating. Pre-event sports massage is given within the four hours preceding an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries. It is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It is normally shorter (10-15 minutes) than a regular conditioning massage, and focuses on warming-up the major muscles to be used, and getting the athlete in a good mental state for competition. It also improves tissue pliability, readying the athlete for top performance. Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete, and others can be stimulating. Pre-event sports massage is given within the four hours preceding an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries. It is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It is normally shorter (10-15 minutes) than a regular conditioning massage, and focuses on warming-up the major muscles to be used, and getting the athlete in a good mental state for competition. It also improves tissue pliability, readying the athlete for top performance. Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete, and others can be stimulating.
Inter/Intra-event. Inter- and intra-event massage is given between events or in time-outs to help athletes recover from the preceding activity, and prepare for the activity coming up. It is also short, and focuses on the major muscles stressed in the activity. Inter- and intra-event massage is given between events or in time-outs to help athletes recover from the preceding activity, and prepare for the activity coming up. It is also short, and focuses on the major muscles stressed in the activity.
Post-event. Post-event sports massage is given after a competition and is mainly concerned with recovery. It is geared toward reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise. Recovery after competition involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also general relaxation and mental calming. A recovery session might be 15 minutes to 11/2 hours in length. Post-event sports massage is given after a competition and is mainly concerned with recovery. It is geared toward reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise. Recovery after competition involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also general relaxation and mental calming. A recovery session might be 15 minutes to 11/2 hours in length.
Rehabilitation Massage
Even with preventive maintenance, muscles cramp, tear, bruise, and ache. Sports massage can speed healing and reduce discomfort during the rehabilitation process.
Soft tissue techniques employed by sports massage therapists are effective in the management of both acute and chronic injuries. For example, adding lymphatic massage to the "standard care" procedure in the acute stage of injury will improve control of secondary, hypoxic injury and enhance edemous fluid removal throughout the healing cycle. Trigger point techniques reduce the spasms and pain that occur both in the injured and "compensation" muscles. Cross-fiber friction techniques applied during the subacute and maturation phases of healing improve the formation of strong and flexible repair tissue, which is vital in maintaining full pain-free range of motion during rehabilitation.
In all cases, such massage techniques are employed in collaboration with other appropriate medical care. For example, encouraging circulation around a bruise, but not directly on it, through the use of compression, cross-fiber techniques or even long, deep strokes is only used after appropriate medical referral and diagnostics indicate that there are no clots formed in the area which may embolize.
From : Holisticonline.com
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Shiatsu
Introduction
Shiatsu
is a contemporary
therapy with its roots in Oriental traditional medicine. It is sometimes
described as Japanese physiotherapy. The actual treatment approach and
philosophy is similar to acupuncture in its usage of the meridians (energy
channels) and tsubo (pressure points) as well as diagnostic methods, but
without the use of needles. Unlike most other forms of bodywork, in shiatsu
the receiver remains clothed for the treatment and no oil is used for the
massage.
Shiatsu is a Japanese word made up of two written characters meaning finger (shi) and pressure (atsu). The application of pressure is the underlying principle of shiatsu. Shiatsu is often called accupressure, although technically it is not correct. We can say Shiatsu is a variant of accupressure, as it involves the stimulation of the acupoints with pressure. However, this is not the only thing nor the principal technique used in Shiatsu. In Shiatsu, the pressure is sometimes applied over a wider area, not just over the acupoints; sometimes, the pressure is applied precisely over the acupoints. The practitioners use fingers and thumb for applying pressure precisely at localized points. For applying pressure over a larger area, they use palms, elbows, knees, and feet.
In addition to the pressure itself, shiatsu involves gentle stretch and manipulation techniques. These may have been borrowed from modern physiotherapy rather than from the ancient oriental massage. But shiatsu differs from Western massage in technique as well as in theory. While Swedish massage therapists use long, flowing hand movements to knead muscles, shiatsu practitioners apply rhythmic and gradual pressure to the meridians and tsubos. Sometimes, very light 'holding' techniques may be used, usually with the palm, almost like the laying on of hands as in spiritual healing. Stretching exercises and other corrective techniques creates flexibility and balance in the body, both physically and energetically.
Shiatsu works on the flow of energy or qi that circulates through our bodies in specific energy channels or meridians. Traditional Oriental Medicine suggests that we all have a "life force" or "life energy" which created our physical structure and regulates physical, emotional, mental and spiritual stability. This life force, called qi or chi in Chinese and ki in Japanese, maintains a homeostatic balance in your body.
The flow of qi can be disturbed either through external trauma, such as an injury, or internal trauma such as depression or stress. This is when symptoms like aches and pain start to occur and we start to experience a state of "disease". In shiatsu the physical touch is used to assess the distribution of qi throughout the body and to try to correct any imbalances accordingly.
Touch is the essence of shiatsu. Touch is a wonderful means of communicating our love and compassion for others in a very direct way. Touch can be of very different quality, ranging from aggressive, abusive and mechanical to more nurturing, caring and intuitive. All living things responds to touch and shiatsu helps to fulfill this need. The caring touch used in shiatsu will help to trigger the self-healing process within.
Thus, modern shiatsu incorporates a mixture of different approaches - ancient and modern. It includes pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting, pinching, rolling, brushing, and in one variation called barefoot shiatsu, it involves walking on the person's back. Legs, and feet. These all share a common theme, namely touch. Shiatsu is thus a 'hands-on' therapy.
Shiatsu has become a respected alternative therapy in the western countries and is offered in many hospital settings as a complementary therapy for the treatment and prevention of many common ailments. It is a very safe and effective treatment.
Origins of Shiatsu
Shiatsu originated in China at least 2000 years ago, when the earliest accounts gave the causes of ailments and the remedies that could be effected through a change of diet and way of life. The use of massage and acupuncture was also recommended. Thus acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine evolved side by side to treat the range of diseases encountered. The traditional massage of ancient China was known as 'anma' and found its way to Japan to be adopted and adapted by the Japanese, who also called it 'anma'. The therapy that is known today as shiatsu has gradually evolved with time from anma under influences from both East and West.
Amma (anma in Japanese) has been used for centuries to deal with many common ailments, aches and pains as well as treating more serious "diseases". New influences from traditional Eastern medicine and Western science have gradually shaped it into what is today called shiatsu. There are several main styles of shiatsu found in the West: barefoot shiatsu, macrobiotic shiatsu, Namikoshi style, Ohashiatsu, Shiatsu-Do and Zen shiatsu. These are all valid and effective therapies using the basic shiatsu principles but with differing emphasis placed on techniques or philosophy. In Japan there are more than 87,000 registered shiatsu practitioners. This fact alone goes some way towards demonstrating its effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of disease.
It is only very recently that it has gained recognition and popularity, with people becoming aware of its existence and benefits.
Although East and West have different viewpoints on health and life, these can complement one another. The Eastern belief is of a primary flow of energy throughout the body, which runs along certain channels known as meridians. It is also believed that this energy exists throughout the universe and that all living creatures are dependent upon it as much as on physical nourishment. The energy is known by three similar names, ki, chi and prana in Japan, China and India respectively. As in acupuncture, there are certain pressure points on the meridians that relate to certain organs, and these points are known as tsubos.
From : Holisticonline.com
Shiatsu
is a contemporary
therapy with its roots in Oriental traditional medicine. It is sometimes
described as Japanese physiotherapy. The actual treatment approach and
philosophy is similar to acupuncture in its usage of the meridians (energy
channels) and tsubo (pressure points) as well as diagnostic methods, but
without the use of needles. Unlike most other forms of bodywork, in shiatsu
the receiver remains clothed for the treatment and no oil is used for the
massage.
Shiatsu is a Japanese word made up of two written characters meaning finger (shi) and pressure (atsu). The application of pressure is the underlying principle of shiatsu. Shiatsu is often called accupressure, although technically it is not correct. We can say Shiatsu is a variant of accupressure, as it involves the stimulation of the acupoints with pressure. However, this is not the only thing nor the principal technique used in Shiatsu. In Shiatsu, the pressure is sometimes applied over a wider area, not just over the acupoints; sometimes, the pressure is applied precisely over the acupoints. The practitioners use fingers and thumb for applying pressure precisely at localized points. For applying pressure over a larger area, they use palms, elbows, knees, and feet.
In addition to the pressure itself, shiatsu involves gentle stretch and manipulation techniques. These may have been borrowed from modern physiotherapy rather than from the ancient oriental massage. But shiatsu differs from Western massage in technique as well as in theory. While Swedish massage therapists use long, flowing hand movements to knead muscles, shiatsu practitioners apply rhythmic and gradual pressure to the meridians and tsubos. Sometimes, very light 'holding' techniques may be used, usually with the palm, almost like the laying on of hands as in spiritual healing. Stretching exercises and other corrective techniques creates flexibility and balance in the body, both physically and energetically.
Shiatsu works on the flow of energy or qi that circulates through our bodies in specific energy channels or meridians. Traditional Oriental Medicine suggests that we all have a "life force" or "life energy" which created our physical structure and regulates physical, emotional, mental and spiritual stability. This life force, called qi or chi in Chinese and ki in Japanese, maintains a homeostatic balance in your body.
The flow of qi can be disturbed either through external trauma, such as an injury, or internal trauma such as depression or stress. This is when symptoms like aches and pain start to occur and we start to experience a state of "disease". In shiatsu the physical touch is used to assess the distribution of qi throughout the body and to try to correct any imbalances accordingly.
Touch is the essence of shiatsu. Touch is a wonderful means of communicating our love and compassion for others in a very direct way. Touch can be of very different quality, ranging from aggressive, abusive and mechanical to more nurturing, caring and intuitive. All living things responds to touch and shiatsu helps to fulfill this need. The caring touch used in shiatsu will help to trigger the self-healing process within.
Thus, modern shiatsu incorporates a mixture of different approaches - ancient and modern. It includes pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting, pinching, rolling, brushing, and in one variation called barefoot shiatsu, it involves walking on the person's back. Legs, and feet. These all share a common theme, namely touch. Shiatsu is thus a 'hands-on' therapy.
Shiatsu has become a respected alternative therapy in the western countries and is offered in many hospital settings as a complementary therapy for the treatment and prevention of many common ailments. It is a very safe and effective treatment.
Origins of Shiatsu
Shiatsu originated in China at least 2000 years ago, when the earliest accounts gave the causes of ailments and the remedies that could be effected through a change of diet and way of life. The use of massage and acupuncture was also recommended. Thus acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine evolved side by side to treat the range of diseases encountered. The traditional massage of ancient China was known as 'anma' and found its way to Japan to be adopted and adapted by the Japanese, who also called it 'anma'. The therapy that is known today as shiatsu has gradually evolved with time from anma under influences from both East and West.
Amma (anma in Japanese) has been used for centuries to deal with many common ailments, aches and pains as well as treating more serious "diseases". New influences from traditional Eastern medicine and Western science have gradually shaped it into what is today called shiatsu. There are several main styles of shiatsu found in the West: barefoot shiatsu, macrobiotic shiatsu, Namikoshi style, Ohashiatsu, Shiatsu-Do and Zen shiatsu. These are all valid and effective therapies using the basic shiatsu principles but with differing emphasis placed on techniques or philosophy. In Japan there are more than 87,000 registered shiatsu practitioners. This fact alone goes some way towards demonstrating its effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of disease.
It is only very recently that it has gained recognition and popularity, with people becoming aware of its existence and benefits.
Although East and West have different viewpoints on health and life, these can complement one another. The Eastern belief is of a primary flow of energy throughout the body, which runs along certain channels known as meridians. It is also believed that this energy exists throughout the universe and that all living creatures are dependent upon it as much as on physical nourishment. The energy is known by three similar names, ki, chi and prana in Japan, China and India respectively. As in acupuncture, there are certain pressure points on the meridians that relate to certain organs, and these points are known as tsubos.
From : Holisticonline.com
Aromatherapy
History of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy had been
around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all
used aromatherapy oils. The Egyptian physician Imhotep recommended fragrant
oils for bathing, massage, and for embalming their dead nearly 6000 years
ago. Imhotep is the Egyptian god of medicine and healing. Hippocrates, the
father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. He
used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.
The
modern era of aromatherapy is dawned in 1930 when the French chemist Rene
Maurice Gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy for the therapeutic use of
essential oils. He was fascinated by the benefits of lavender oil in healing
his burned hand without leaving any scars. He started investigating the
effect of other essential oils for healing and for their psychotherapeutic
benefits.
During world war II, the French army surgeon Dr. Jean Valnet used essential
oils as antiseptics. Later, Madame Marguerite Maury elevated aromatherapy as
a holistic therapy. She started prescribing essential oils as remedy for her
patients. She is also credited with the modern use of essential oils in
massage.
Aromatherapy works the best when it works on the mind and body
simultaneously.
Smell is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles and all the years we have lived. The odors of fruits waft me to my southern home, to my childhood frolics in the peach orchard. Other odors, instantaneous and fleeting, cause my heart to dilate joyously or contract with remembered grief. Even as I think of smells, my nose is full of scents that start to awake sweet memories of summers gone and ripening fields far away."This eloquent quote expressed by Helen Keller so vividly says what many of us experience when exposed to aromas. Smell is the sense that reaches deeply and quickly into our emotional center to evoke feelings and memories of our past.
When was the last time you paused and took notice of an aroma? When did a certain scent evoke nostalgia by transporting you to that specific experience? Has scent soothed your anxiety, relieved insomnia or spiced up your social interactions? Odor molecules are chemical communicators that give specific and potent messages. "Neuroscience", the study of the sense of smell, has become the "haute couture" of the academic world.
We are approaching the millennium and the sensory revolution is in full swing. The power and pleasure of scent and our sense of smell is being explored by scientists throughout the world. This positive effect scent has on human behavior is amazing to researchers because the implications and applications are so exciting. The research that follows is provocative and lends itself to the innovative use of scent in the future.
With the help of technology, researchers are assisted in examining the brain’s response to olfactory stimulation. Dr. Tyler Lorig studied the brains response to odor by measuring electrical patterns in the brain when subjects smelled an odorant. Drs. Hong-Ming Cheng and Bruce Wexler used magnetic resonance imaging that produces highly detailed maps of metabolic activity in portions of the brain involved in odor perception. Both teams of researchers found that brain activity increased in specific parts of the brain when certain smells were picked up by the nose. These studies show that sensory information from the nose is processed by certain portions of the brain. Understanding how the brain receives and processes olfactory cues will add a new dimension to the mystique of the overall sensory experience. The human olfactory system is fully mature at birth. Within two days after its birth, a baby recognizes its mother by its sense of smell. A link between a baby’s sense of smell and an early ability to learn was discovered by Dr. Ira Lott. Her research suggests that a baby who doesn’t remember her mother’s odor could be prone to learning disorders.
Sleep studies to see which scents have an effect on sleep found that most scents did have an effect. The olfactory receptors were stimulated when an odor was present and the brain was receiving the odor stimulation. This has exciting implications for the hearing-impaired, who are unable to respond to auditory signals used in warning devices like fire and security alarms. Odorant molecules travel through darkness and can bend around corners to alert sleeping individuals to dangers that are not directly within their line of vision.
By the year 2000, we will have aroma-air-conditioning systems that will pump the sedating scent of lavender 20 minutes before we want to sleep. Pleasant odors will also be used to positively affect our dreams. Waiting rooms in doctors and dentist offices will be suffused with an aroma that calms.
Drs. Joel Warm and William Dember found that workers who occasionally sniffed peppermint and muguet while performing sustained attention tasks improved the quality of their work significantly. Releasing the scent of peppermint into the office environment could help increase employee alertness, attitude and performance. Just imagine the workplace of the future using a fragrance system to increase worker efficiency. It could ultimately create a more gratifying work environment. Implications for using scents that have a stimulating effect are being explored by automobile manufacturers and long distance truck drivers.
Research done by Dr. Rachel Hertz found that, memories evoked by our sense of smell are more emotional than memories evoked by our other senses, including sight, sound and touch. Our odor memory bank is housed in the brain’s limbic system. Limbic system controls or modifies our emotional and sexual response, hunger and thirst responses, artistic abilities, perceptions of space, body temperature, and cognitive ability. This portion of the brain also receives and stores information experienced by all the other senses. The electrical signals released by the sense of smell may trigger our strongest memories of the past. Positive or negative, our reaction to odor depends on our own personal and unique odor/memory association.
Pure essential oils that are scientifically documented to have an antibacterial and antifungal effect are being used to naturally purify the air. By diffusing the essential oils into the air using an electric diffuser, it is possible to cover up to a 2,000 sq. ft. dwelling. Oils, such as eucalyptus, neutralize many of the microbes inside the home. The use of essential oils in cleansing our interior environments is as exciting as the oil’s capacity for emotional cleansing. When inhaled, these pure oils go on a complex olfactory journey in which they eventually reach the amygdala, the memory center for fear and trauma. Dr. Joseph Ledoux discovered that the amygdala plays a major role in releasing and storing emotional trauma. As we can see odor or fragrance has a profound effect in triggering a emotional response.
For the skeptics who challenge the powerful effect scent has on psyche and for those who would like to explore more, watch for the continuation of this article in the next issue.
Anneliese London, M. A. is an Assistant Professor,
Health Editor, Holistic Health Educator and Speaker.
818-953-9320
Aromatherapy had been
around for 6000 years or more. The Greeks, Romans, and ancient Egyptians all
used aromatherapy oils. The Egyptian physician Imhotep recommended fragrant
oils for bathing, massage, and for embalming their dead nearly 6000 years
ago. Imhotep is the Egyptian god of medicine and healing. Hippocrates, the
father of modern medicine, used aromatherapy baths and scented massage. He
used aromatic fumigations to rid Athens of the plague.
The
modern era of aromatherapy is dawned in 1930 when the French chemist Rene
Maurice Gattefosse coined the term aromatherapy for the therapeutic use of
essential oils. He was fascinated by the benefits of lavender oil in healing
his burned hand without leaving any scars. He started investigating the
effect of other essential oils for healing and for their psychotherapeutic
benefits.
During world war II, the French army surgeon Dr. Jean Valnet used essential
oils as antiseptics. Later, Madame Marguerite Maury elevated aromatherapy as
a holistic therapy. She started prescribing essential oils as remedy for her
patients. She is also credited with the modern use of essential oils in
massage.
Aromatherapy works the best when it works on the mind and body
simultaneously.
Smell is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles and all the years we have lived. The odors of fruits waft me to my southern home, to my childhood frolics in the peach orchard. Other odors, instantaneous and fleeting, cause my heart to dilate joyously or contract with remembered grief. Even as I think of smells, my nose is full of scents that start to awake sweet memories of summers gone and ripening fields far away."This eloquent quote expressed by Helen Keller so vividly says what many of us experience when exposed to aromas. Smell is the sense that reaches deeply and quickly into our emotional center to evoke feelings and memories of our past.
When was the last time you paused and took notice of an aroma? When did a certain scent evoke nostalgia by transporting you to that specific experience? Has scent soothed your anxiety, relieved insomnia or spiced up your social interactions? Odor molecules are chemical communicators that give specific and potent messages. "Neuroscience", the study of the sense of smell, has become the "haute couture" of the academic world.
We are approaching the millennium and the sensory revolution is in full swing. The power and pleasure of scent and our sense of smell is being explored by scientists throughout the world. This positive effect scent has on human behavior is amazing to researchers because the implications and applications are so exciting. The research that follows is provocative and lends itself to the innovative use of scent in the future.
With the help of technology, researchers are assisted in examining the brain’s response to olfactory stimulation. Dr. Tyler Lorig studied the brains response to odor by measuring electrical patterns in the brain when subjects smelled an odorant. Drs. Hong-Ming Cheng and Bruce Wexler used magnetic resonance imaging that produces highly detailed maps of metabolic activity in portions of the brain involved in odor perception. Both teams of researchers found that brain activity increased in specific parts of the brain when certain smells were picked up by the nose. These studies show that sensory information from the nose is processed by certain portions of the brain. Understanding how the brain receives and processes olfactory cues will add a new dimension to the mystique of the overall sensory experience. The human olfactory system is fully mature at birth. Within two days after its birth, a baby recognizes its mother by its sense of smell. A link between a baby’s sense of smell and an early ability to learn was discovered by Dr. Ira Lott. Her research suggests that a baby who doesn’t remember her mother’s odor could be prone to learning disorders.
Sleep studies to see which scents have an effect on sleep found that most scents did have an effect. The olfactory receptors were stimulated when an odor was present and the brain was receiving the odor stimulation. This has exciting implications for the hearing-impaired, who are unable to respond to auditory signals used in warning devices like fire and security alarms. Odorant molecules travel through darkness and can bend around corners to alert sleeping individuals to dangers that are not directly within their line of vision.
By the year 2000, we will have aroma-air-conditioning systems that will pump the sedating scent of lavender 20 minutes before we want to sleep. Pleasant odors will also be used to positively affect our dreams. Waiting rooms in doctors and dentist offices will be suffused with an aroma that calms.
Drs. Joel Warm and William Dember found that workers who occasionally sniffed peppermint and muguet while performing sustained attention tasks improved the quality of their work significantly. Releasing the scent of peppermint into the office environment could help increase employee alertness, attitude and performance. Just imagine the workplace of the future using a fragrance system to increase worker efficiency. It could ultimately create a more gratifying work environment. Implications for using scents that have a stimulating effect are being explored by automobile manufacturers and long distance truck drivers.
Research done by Dr. Rachel Hertz found that, memories evoked by our sense of smell are more emotional than memories evoked by our other senses, including sight, sound and touch. Our odor memory bank is housed in the brain’s limbic system. Limbic system controls or modifies our emotional and sexual response, hunger and thirst responses, artistic abilities, perceptions of space, body temperature, and cognitive ability. This portion of the brain also receives and stores information experienced by all the other senses. The electrical signals released by the sense of smell may trigger our strongest memories of the past. Positive or negative, our reaction to odor depends on our own personal and unique odor/memory association.
Pure essential oils that are scientifically documented to have an antibacterial and antifungal effect are being used to naturally purify the air. By diffusing the essential oils into the air using an electric diffuser, it is possible to cover up to a 2,000 sq. ft. dwelling. Oils, such as eucalyptus, neutralize many of the microbes inside the home. The use of essential oils in cleansing our interior environments is as exciting as the oil’s capacity for emotional cleansing. When inhaled, these pure oils go on a complex olfactory journey in which they eventually reach the amygdala, the memory center for fear and trauma. Dr. Joseph Ledoux discovered that the amygdala plays a major role in releasing and storing emotional trauma. As we can see odor or fragrance has a profound effect in triggering a emotional response.
For the skeptics who challenge the powerful effect scent has on psyche and for those who would like to explore more, watch for the continuation of this article in the next issue.
Anneliese London, M. A. is an Assistant Professor,
Health Editor, Holistic Health Educator and Speaker.
818-953-9320
Swedish massage
Swedish Massage for Relaxation and Stress Reduction
What is Swedish massage? The Swedish massage is based on the Western concepts of anatomy and physiology. It employs the traditional manipulative techniques of effleurage, petrisssage, vibration, friction, and tapotement. These strokes stimulate circulation, increase muscle tone, improve detoxification, relieve muscle spasm and assist in the digestive process. It usually goes in the direction of blood flow toward the heart because there is an emphasis on stimulating the circulation of the blood through the soft tissues of the body. Active or passive movement of the joints may also be part of the massage.
Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Pir Henrik Ling.
Purpose of Swedish Massage
The strokes and manipulations of Swedish Massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.
Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load and speeds venous return from the extremities. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.
Soft tissue manipulation techniques used in Swedish Massage
Effleurage - Smooth, gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips. It is a movement towards the heart, tracing the contours of the body. Oil or lotion is applied with this stroke to begin the first stage of massage. Every Swedish massage should begin and end with effleurage. It is used to warm up muscles, relax the body, calm the nerves, improve blood circulation and heart function, and improve lymphatic drainage.
Petrissage - Squeezing, rolling and kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingers. It usually follows effleurage. It is used to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and increase lymphatic drainage.
Friction - Deep, circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingers. It is the deepest stroke that is used in Swedish massage. It causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area. It breaks up deposits and facilitate their removal. It also helps realign healing tissue and decrease the extent of scar tissue formation and thereby provide greater flexibility.
Vibration - Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body. It sedates nervous system, reduces pain, and relaxes muscle.
Compression - Proceeds downward. Can be used to replace effeurage when gliding strokes cannot be used. Does not slip or roll on the tissue. Progressive movements, applied lightly at first then gradually increased pressure.
Percussion or tapotement - Brisk hacking with the side of the little finger or tapping with fingertips. It has a reflex effect on muscles by stimulating the nervous tissue. The stronger the percussion, the stronger the effect. The general effect is stimulating and loosening on muscles but if tapotement is performed for prolonged periods (more than 30 seconds) it can cause deep relaxation.
Raindrops: Light percussion done with the fingertips as if using a typewriter
Tapping: Done with the surface of the fingers, alternating the hands in rapid succession
Cupping: Same as tapping only done with cupped hands
Hacking: With palms facing each other and hands loosened, hack the client with the ulnar borders of your hands in rapid succession
Beating: Same as hacking only done with loose fists
Passive and active movements - Bending and stretching.
To learn more massage techniques, read The Complete Book of Massage by Clare Maxwell-Hudson.
Contraindication
Swedish massage should not be given to patients with the following physical disorders or conditions:
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Fever
Broken bones, fractures, dislocations, or severe sprains
Contagious diseases
Open or unhealed sores or wounds
Body areas that are inflamed, swollen or bruised
Varicose veins
Recent surgery
Severe pain
Osteoporosis
Phlebitis
Kidney disease
Large hernias
Cancer
Torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles
High blood pressure or heart problems
Hematoma
What is Swedish massage? The Swedish massage is based on the Western concepts of anatomy and physiology. It employs the traditional manipulative techniques of effleurage, petrisssage, vibration, friction, and tapotement. These strokes stimulate circulation, increase muscle tone, improve detoxification, relieve muscle spasm and assist in the digestive process. It usually goes in the direction of blood flow toward the heart because there is an emphasis on stimulating the circulation of the blood through the soft tissues of the body. Active or passive movement of the joints may also be part of the massage.
Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Pir Henrik Ling.
Purpose of Swedish Massage
The strokes and manipulations of Swedish Massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.
Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load and speeds venous return from the extremities. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.
Soft tissue manipulation techniques used in Swedish Massage
Effleurage - Smooth, gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips. It is a movement towards the heart, tracing the contours of the body. Oil or lotion is applied with this stroke to begin the first stage of massage. Every Swedish massage should begin and end with effleurage. It is used to warm up muscles, relax the body, calm the nerves, improve blood circulation and heart function, and improve lymphatic drainage.
Petrissage - Squeezing, rolling and kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingers. It usually follows effleurage. It is used to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and increase lymphatic drainage.
Friction - Deep, circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingers. It is the deepest stroke that is used in Swedish massage. It causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area. It breaks up deposits and facilitate their removal. It also helps realign healing tissue and decrease the extent of scar tissue formation and thereby provide greater flexibility.
Vibration - Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body. It sedates nervous system, reduces pain, and relaxes muscle.
Compression - Proceeds downward. Can be used to replace effeurage when gliding strokes cannot be used. Does not slip or roll on the tissue. Progressive movements, applied lightly at first then gradually increased pressure.
Percussion or tapotement - Brisk hacking with the side of the little finger or tapping with fingertips. It has a reflex effect on muscles by stimulating the nervous tissue. The stronger the percussion, the stronger the effect. The general effect is stimulating and loosening on muscles but if tapotement is performed for prolonged periods (more than 30 seconds) it can cause deep relaxation.
Raindrops: Light percussion done with the fingertips as if using a typewriter
Tapping: Done with the surface of the fingers, alternating the hands in rapid succession
Cupping: Same as tapping only done with cupped hands
Hacking: With palms facing each other and hands loosened, hack the client with the ulnar borders of your hands in rapid succession
Beating: Same as hacking only done with loose fists
Passive and active movements - Bending and stretching.
To learn more massage techniques, read The Complete Book of Massage by Clare Maxwell-Hudson.
Contraindication
Swedish massage should not be given to patients with the following physical disorders or conditions:
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
Fever
Broken bones, fractures, dislocations, or severe sprains
Contagious diseases
Open or unhealed sores or wounds
Body areas that are inflamed, swollen or bruised
Varicose veins
Recent surgery
Severe pain
Osteoporosis
Phlebitis
Kidney disease
Large hernias
Cancer
Torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles
High blood pressure or heart problems
Hematoma
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Thai massage
The Thai Massage is classified into two main types, base on the way of life:
1. The People Type which has been developed by the people and spread all over the country. At present, the famous institutes for teaching and servicing are at Wat Pho, Wat Samphraya and many other associations for massage. The simple way to recognize this type of massage are the observations of:
1.1 The masseur postures, some are impolite.
1.2 The client positions: various, including prone position.
1.3 The manipulation : some are aggressive and harmful such as : kneading by elbow, knee, heel and sole, stretching and twisting of neck, limb, shoulder, hip, and vertebral column.
2. The Court Type which has been developed by the courtiers, according to the successive was with the neighboring countries. In the ancient time the kings were the leaders of the troops. Trauma, dislocation, fracture, wound from the ancient different arts of fighting could be cured by herbs and massage. The massage must be also applied to the kings and their families. This type of
massage is therefore recognized by:
2.1 The Masseur Postures : polite and very polite, some
derived from boxing and some are dramatics.
2.2 The Client Position : no prone position.
2.3 The Manipulations : no aggressive and no harmful.
The masseur massage by hands only. At present,
the famous institute for teaching and service is Ayuraved College.
Service of massage may be divided into 5 levels. These are
1 . Massage for health . To relieve general bodily discomfort by improvement of general of local blood circulation.
2 . Massage for curing .To cure or alleviate some diseases. The practitioner should by Ayuravedic doctors or well trained traditional doctors. The 63 disorders may be cured or alleviated by massage as the following:
2.1 Disorders of the nervous system, i.e. stroke,
number (not from beriberi which can be cured by
vitamin B2), spinal cord repression ect.
2.2 Disorders of the skeletal system, i.e. fracture,
dislocation, joint stiffness and some other bone and
joint disorders, especially of the elderly.
2.3 Disorders of the muscular system, i.e. muscular
paralysis, muscular weakness.
2.4 Disorders of the urogenital system, i.e. infertility due
to abnormal position of the uterus, dysfunction of
pelvic diaphragm and impotence.
2.5 Miscellaneous, i.e. increasing child intelligence.
3 . Massage for physical imbalance .
To improve the posture disorder and gait disorder by
thoroughly corrections of several parts of the body.
4 . Massage for sports .
Used for relieve muscular pain and fatigue,
inflammation of muscles and tendon, dislocations,
cramps, and other injured tissues.
5 . Massage for beauty .
To rejuvenate the complexion by
the special patterns of massage along with many other
beauty aids.
Source:
Department of Export Promotion
1. The People Type which has been developed by the people and spread all over the country. At present, the famous institutes for teaching and servicing are at Wat Pho, Wat Samphraya and many other associations for massage. The simple way to recognize this type of massage are the observations of:
1.1 The masseur postures, some are impolite.
1.2 The client positions: various, including prone position.
1.3 The manipulation : some are aggressive and harmful such as : kneading by elbow, knee, heel and sole, stretching and twisting of neck, limb, shoulder, hip, and vertebral column.
2. The Court Type which has been developed by the courtiers, according to the successive was with the neighboring countries. In the ancient time the kings were the leaders of the troops. Trauma, dislocation, fracture, wound from the ancient different arts of fighting could be cured by herbs and massage. The massage must be also applied to the kings and their families. This type of
massage is therefore recognized by:
2.1 The Masseur Postures : polite and very polite, some
derived from boxing and some are dramatics.
2.2 The Client Position : no prone position.
2.3 The Manipulations : no aggressive and no harmful.
The masseur massage by hands only. At present,
the famous institute for teaching and service is Ayuraved College.
Service of massage may be divided into 5 levels. These are
1 . Massage for health . To relieve general bodily discomfort by improvement of general of local blood circulation.
2 . Massage for curing .To cure or alleviate some diseases. The practitioner should by Ayuravedic doctors or well trained traditional doctors. The 63 disorders may be cured or alleviated by massage as the following:
2.1 Disorders of the nervous system, i.e. stroke,
number (not from beriberi which can be cured by
vitamin B2), spinal cord repression ect.
2.2 Disorders of the skeletal system, i.e. fracture,
dislocation, joint stiffness and some other bone and
joint disorders, especially of the elderly.
2.3 Disorders of the muscular system, i.e. muscular
paralysis, muscular weakness.
2.4 Disorders of the urogenital system, i.e. infertility due
to abnormal position of the uterus, dysfunction of
pelvic diaphragm and impotence.
2.5 Miscellaneous, i.e. increasing child intelligence.
3 . Massage for physical imbalance .
To improve the posture disorder and gait disorder by
thoroughly corrections of several parts of the body.
4 . Massage for sports .
Used for relieve muscular pain and fatigue,
inflammation of muscles and tendon, dislocations,
cramps, and other injured tissues.
5 . Massage for beauty .
To rejuvenate the complexion by
the special patterns of massage along with many other
beauty aids.
Source:
Department of Export Promotion
Spa Etiquette
The word etiquette as defined in Webster's Dictionary means: "Conventional code of social behavior", but what is the conventional code of spa behavior? And how does one learn this code of behavior if you are a first time spa goer or a new employee at a spa? We all know what to expect when we receive an invitation to a formal dinner party. The invitation gives the time, place, requests an RSVP and denotes that the party is black tie. We will expect to use a different utensil for each course, a different glass for each wine and water, and we know what to wear and how to behave. If we have never attended a gold service dinner before we have the security of observation on our side--simply follow the lead of everyone else at the table, especially when it comes to soup! But this is not possible in a spa since treatment rooms are private.
For example, though a recent dinner invitation clearly stated black tie, a spa gift certificate did not say "no clothes!" Sadly, there are many first-time spa experiences on behalf of guests whereby the man kept his T-shirt and shorts on throughout a massage … the treatment on behalf of a physically challenged guest was changed because the therapist thought the service requested would be too difficult to perform, just to name a couple of examples.
Here are some pointers for both the spa guest and the spa operator/therapist:
What is spa etiquette?
…. is giving each and every client 100% of total attention, showing them that you honestly care and perform spa services that truly benefit them. Considering the spa experience, the staff should know to: * give a warm greeting * explain the service and procedure * use the proper utensils and personalized products during the service * adhere to required draping techniques * close with questions, answers and home routine recommendations * assist with coats and clothing * send a thank you note.
Complete ambiance
…. conveys and requires complete ambiance with stellar guest service. Here is an example: candles, essence of lavender diffused in order to add to the tranquil atmosphere. Guests are escorted to their locker rooms and enveloped by the staff in luscious robes. Water and juices are served in crystal glasses with a napkin upon a silver tray. Two sets of china are kept in some spas … one for regular use while the other is for special package guests. Spa assistants carry out the fastidious spa etiquette via gentle questions and suggestions prior to and during a guests' service so that the guest knows exactly what to expect upon arrival and during the visit in the spa.
What is client etiquette?
As a spa guest you are expected to:
Arrive on time or early for your appointment, to enjoy the facility.
Generally, undress completely for body services, your therapist will keep your body draped in dry services and only expose area to be worked upon, however in wet services such as body scrubs, body wraps and hydrotherapies you will not be draped in order to reap maximum benefits. (Swimsuits are optional in some of these services).
Allow the therapist to perform a service as reserved and timed.
Give the therapist feedback as to your comfort and special troubled areas.
Relax … that's generally why you are in the spa.
Enjoy, benefit and allow others to "do for you".
Know that you are in a professional spa therapy operations and do not expect anything other than therapeutic or spa services.
Know that you may be silent or quietly talkative.
Share public space respectfully with other spa goers.
Do not bring children and leave them unattended, this is very disruptive to other spa goers and unsafe for children.
Know if gratuities are included or not and be prepared according to your experience and desire to tip or not.
Relax, yet respect that the room must be prepared and used for the next client; so know that you must vacate treatment room upon completion of service within a reasonable amount of time.
Give honest feedback to the therapist, owner, receptionist, etc., as operation personnel cares to know if your spa experiences was as expected.
Tipping
As in all services-related businesses it is common practice to tip the person who has done a good job to the satisfaction of the customer. The rule of thumb in day spas is 10%-15% of the cost of service, or about $10.00 to $15.00 for a one hour treatment. Spas usually provide an envelope at the front desk when checking out for you to place the gratuity into it with the therapist's name. You do not have to carry money around with you and worry about this while enjoying the spa facilities. Note: Some spas will include tips in their package prices ... this is common practice at Destination Spas that offer complete spa packages. Be sure to read the fine print.
Unacceptable behavior
What client behavior would be considered bad manners? When should a guest be removed from the spa?
Lewd behavior
Inebriated
Demeaning and abusive behavior toward receptionists or therapists.
Guest insisting upon services without an appointment when spa is fully booked.
Such behavior does not conform to spa etiquette, but even with such behavior it is important to first fix the person and then the problem. This is a service industry and as such, the motto remains, "customer first." In the above situations, advocate addressing the situation with respect and an agreeable outcome. Remember, its not the one client that needs to be "managed" that is lost, it is the 10 others that they complain to about their experience that are then lost too. Word of mouth is powerful.
Offensive staff conduct
What about staff etiquette? What in the professional opinion is a probationary or firing offense within a spa regarding spa etiquette?
Blatant discrimination such as refusing to give a service to a guest because someone is physically challenged or overweight, or because of medical history listed on client card.
Switching guests from one therapist's docket to another because the therapist doesn't want that particular guest for whatever reason or does want them (often because they know that the guest is a big tipper).
Saying the spa is booked because a therapist wants to go home early!
Pointing out to a guest that gratuities are not included or simply asking for a tip.
Poor personal hygiene-unkempt appearance, body odor, poor dental care, etc.
Personalizing services so that they do not conform to established spa standards and, as a result, causes dissension among guests.
Discussions or comments about employment, staff and spa operation that are negative (either with guests or co-workers)
Continued overuse of product and supplies thus differing guest services as well as drastically affecting bottom line expenses to revenues on behalf of the spa.
The spa operator, director or owner will learn of these things from witnesses, guest complaints or co-workers' reports. Just as one is schooled in proper table manners, constant training and emphasizing protocol from a spa service point of view is vital to the success of the day spa industry.
Clients' education
How do you accomplish this on behalf of staff and guests? Guests must be educated as to how they may benefit from their spa experience and what to expect. This can be done either with literature or over the telephone as they make their appointment. Suggestion: always (gently) inquire as to whether or not this is their first spa appointment and if so, would they like to receive a "guest journey journal" or information about services prior to arrival.
Here is an example: A spa derives great pleasure in serving their guests a healthy dose of education as well as special touches throughout a clients' visit. Upon entering the spa and being greeted by the receptionist, the client is introduced to the staff who shake the clients' hand and immediately tour the spa, explain their spa "menu" of the day as well as what to expect, how to prepare and what to wear (or not wear). All treatments begin with a special touch - a scalp massage. Clients are encouraged to share their personal quest so that the spa may adjust future treatments and schedules accordingly. Upon completion clients are always escorted to the door, thanked for their visit and receive educational literature on all of the spas programs.
Do a "test-run"
It is imperative that each and every staff member goes through a typical spa guest journey as well as counseling and training on behalf of the operations defined and expected spa etiquette. Do not assume that clients or staff know what to expect, how to act, or what to do. Here is an example: every single need a client might have and what the experience should be prior to opening the spa component to their chiropractic health center, Management thought of in advance. The training of staff in spa etiquette involves scripts and actual patient experiences. They are even taught how to close a conversation and appointments with patients. The spa believes it is the responsibility of every spa owner to assume that everyone (staff and clients) are new and uninformed as to the spa experience.
Lead by example, train in detail. Guests and staff will follow with impeccable manners.
Adapted from an article by Monica Tuma Brown , a spa professional for over 17 years involved in the development of spa products, programs and education . Massage Therapy To receive maximum benefit and relaxation from a massage …
Arrive a few minutes early. Prior to your massage you will receive a robe to change into. Most people prefer to remove all clothing and jewelry. During your massage, your therapist keeps your entire body draped and only undrapes that portion that is being massaged. If you feel more comfortable leaving your undergarments on, that's fine too.
Once you are with your therapist you will be asked certain questions, such as whether there is anything you like to convey he/she should be aware of. Feel free to express your needs so as to receive specific attention to tense or trouble spots. Your therapist will ask you a few questions to ascertain the most optimum treatment for your sessions.
Relax, this is your time and time for your body (and your mind) to release the worries and stresses of the day. Deep breathing and closing of your eyes will assist in your complete relaxation.
Let your therapist know if you are comfortable or uncomfortable, too warm or too cold or if the massage pressure is too light or too intense.
Trust your massage therapist to move your limbs in whatever position is necessary for and during the massage.
Enjoy the massage and know that you are doing something very good for your body and your mind. You deserve this healthy interlude.
What can it do for you? How often should you have a massage? Massage therapy increases circulation, thus is nourishing to the entire body. Massage also promotes the release of by-products such as lactic acid, which is one of the causes of stiff and sore muscles. We recommend one weekly massage for health maintenance and to counteract the effects of daily stress. Facial To receive maximum benefit and relaxation from a facial …
Arrive a few minutes early to allow time to change into a robe (remove all clothing and jewelry from your upper body) and to fill out a client history card. The skin care information allows your esthetician to determine the best spa treatment and home recommendation for you.
Your facial will consist of thorough and deep cleansing to purify, nourish and tonify your skin. A woman can expect all of her makeup to be removed. Both men and women should advise their esthetician as to whether or not they are wearing contact lenses.
Relax completely. A basic facial will take one hour to perform. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply and take this time to release the worries and the stresses of the day.
Let your esthetician know if you are comfortable or uncomfortable, too warm or too cold, or if a product is very stimulating. Your comfort and care is of the greatest concern and priority.
Enjoy your facial; the results will be visible and lasting.
Source:
dayspaassociation.com
For example, though a recent dinner invitation clearly stated black tie, a spa gift certificate did not say "no clothes!" Sadly, there are many first-time spa experiences on behalf of guests whereby the man kept his T-shirt and shorts on throughout a massage … the treatment on behalf of a physically challenged guest was changed because the therapist thought the service requested would be too difficult to perform, just to name a couple of examples.
Here are some pointers for both the spa guest and the spa operator/therapist:
What is spa etiquette?
…. is giving each and every client 100% of total attention, showing them that you honestly care and perform spa services that truly benefit them. Considering the spa experience, the staff should know to: * give a warm greeting * explain the service and procedure * use the proper utensils and personalized products during the service * adhere to required draping techniques * close with questions, answers and home routine recommendations * assist with coats and clothing * send a thank you note.
Complete ambiance
…. conveys and requires complete ambiance with stellar guest service. Here is an example: candles, essence of lavender diffused in order to add to the tranquil atmosphere. Guests are escorted to their locker rooms and enveloped by the staff in luscious robes. Water and juices are served in crystal glasses with a napkin upon a silver tray. Two sets of china are kept in some spas … one for regular use while the other is for special package guests. Spa assistants carry out the fastidious spa etiquette via gentle questions and suggestions prior to and during a guests' service so that the guest knows exactly what to expect upon arrival and during the visit in the spa.
What is client etiquette?
As a spa guest you are expected to:
Arrive on time or early for your appointment, to enjoy the facility.
Generally, undress completely for body services, your therapist will keep your body draped in dry services and only expose area to be worked upon, however in wet services such as body scrubs, body wraps and hydrotherapies you will not be draped in order to reap maximum benefits. (Swimsuits are optional in some of these services).
Allow the therapist to perform a service as reserved and timed.
Give the therapist feedback as to your comfort and special troubled areas.
Relax … that's generally why you are in the spa.
Enjoy, benefit and allow others to "do for you".
Know that you are in a professional spa therapy operations and do not expect anything other than therapeutic or spa services.
Know that you may be silent or quietly talkative.
Share public space respectfully with other spa goers.
Do not bring children and leave them unattended, this is very disruptive to other spa goers and unsafe for children.
Know if gratuities are included or not and be prepared according to your experience and desire to tip or not.
Relax, yet respect that the room must be prepared and used for the next client; so know that you must vacate treatment room upon completion of service within a reasonable amount of time.
Give honest feedback to the therapist, owner, receptionist, etc., as operation personnel cares to know if your spa experiences was as expected.
Tipping
As in all services-related businesses it is common practice to tip the person who has done a good job to the satisfaction of the customer. The rule of thumb in day spas is 10%-15% of the cost of service, or about $10.00 to $15.00 for a one hour treatment. Spas usually provide an envelope at the front desk when checking out for you to place the gratuity into it with the therapist's name. You do not have to carry money around with you and worry about this while enjoying the spa facilities. Note: Some spas will include tips in their package prices ... this is common practice at Destination Spas that offer complete spa packages. Be sure to read the fine print.
Unacceptable behavior
What client behavior would be considered bad manners? When should a guest be removed from the spa?
Lewd behavior
Inebriated
Demeaning and abusive behavior toward receptionists or therapists.
Guest insisting upon services without an appointment when spa is fully booked.
Such behavior does not conform to spa etiquette, but even with such behavior it is important to first fix the person and then the problem. This is a service industry and as such, the motto remains, "customer first." In the above situations, advocate addressing the situation with respect and an agreeable outcome. Remember, its not the one client that needs to be "managed" that is lost, it is the 10 others that they complain to about their experience that are then lost too. Word of mouth is powerful.
Offensive staff conduct
What about staff etiquette? What in the professional opinion is a probationary or firing offense within a spa regarding spa etiquette?
Blatant discrimination such as refusing to give a service to a guest because someone is physically challenged or overweight, or because of medical history listed on client card.
Switching guests from one therapist's docket to another because the therapist doesn't want that particular guest for whatever reason or does want them (often because they know that the guest is a big tipper).
Saying the spa is booked because a therapist wants to go home early!
Pointing out to a guest that gratuities are not included or simply asking for a tip.
Poor personal hygiene-unkempt appearance, body odor, poor dental care, etc.
Personalizing services so that they do not conform to established spa standards and, as a result, causes dissension among guests.
Discussions or comments about employment, staff and spa operation that are negative (either with guests or co-workers)
Continued overuse of product and supplies thus differing guest services as well as drastically affecting bottom line expenses to revenues on behalf of the spa.
The spa operator, director or owner will learn of these things from witnesses, guest complaints or co-workers' reports. Just as one is schooled in proper table manners, constant training and emphasizing protocol from a spa service point of view is vital to the success of the day spa industry.
Clients' education
How do you accomplish this on behalf of staff and guests? Guests must be educated as to how they may benefit from their spa experience and what to expect. This can be done either with literature or over the telephone as they make their appointment. Suggestion: always (gently) inquire as to whether or not this is their first spa appointment and if so, would they like to receive a "guest journey journal" or information about services prior to arrival.
Here is an example: A spa derives great pleasure in serving their guests a healthy dose of education as well as special touches throughout a clients' visit. Upon entering the spa and being greeted by the receptionist, the client is introduced to the staff who shake the clients' hand and immediately tour the spa, explain their spa "menu" of the day as well as what to expect, how to prepare and what to wear (or not wear). All treatments begin with a special touch - a scalp massage. Clients are encouraged to share their personal quest so that the spa may adjust future treatments and schedules accordingly. Upon completion clients are always escorted to the door, thanked for their visit and receive educational literature on all of the spas programs.
Do a "test-run"
It is imperative that each and every staff member goes through a typical spa guest journey as well as counseling and training on behalf of the operations defined and expected spa etiquette. Do not assume that clients or staff know what to expect, how to act, or what to do. Here is an example: every single need a client might have and what the experience should be prior to opening the spa component to their chiropractic health center, Management thought of in advance. The training of staff in spa etiquette involves scripts and actual patient experiences. They are even taught how to close a conversation and appointments with patients. The spa believes it is the responsibility of every spa owner to assume that everyone (staff and clients) are new and uninformed as to the spa experience.
Lead by example, train in detail. Guests and staff will follow with impeccable manners.
Adapted from an article by Monica Tuma Brown , a spa professional for over 17 years involved in the development of spa products, programs and education . Massage Therapy To receive maximum benefit and relaxation from a massage …
Arrive a few minutes early. Prior to your massage you will receive a robe to change into. Most people prefer to remove all clothing and jewelry. During your massage, your therapist keeps your entire body draped and only undrapes that portion that is being massaged. If you feel more comfortable leaving your undergarments on, that's fine too.
Once you are with your therapist you will be asked certain questions, such as whether there is anything you like to convey he/she should be aware of. Feel free to express your needs so as to receive specific attention to tense or trouble spots. Your therapist will ask you a few questions to ascertain the most optimum treatment for your sessions.
Relax, this is your time and time for your body (and your mind) to release the worries and stresses of the day. Deep breathing and closing of your eyes will assist in your complete relaxation.
Let your therapist know if you are comfortable or uncomfortable, too warm or too cold or if the massage pressure is too light or too intense.
Trust your massage therapist to move your limbs in whatever position is necessary for and during the massage.
Enjoy the massage and know that you are doing something very good for your body and your mind. You deserve this healthy interlude.
What can it do for you? How often should you have a massage? Massage therapy increases circulation, thus is nourishing to the entire body. Massage also promotes the release of by-products such as lactic acid, which is one of the causes of stiff and sore muscles. We recommend one weekly massage for health maintenance and to counteract the effects of daily stress. Facial To receive maximum benefit and relaxation from a facial …
Arrive a few minutes early to allow time to change into a robe (remove all clothing and jewelry from your upper body) and to fill out a client history card. The skin care information allows your esthetician to determine the best spa treatment and home recommendation for you.
Your facial will consist of thorough and deep cleansing to purify, nourish and tonify your skin. A woman can expect all of her makeup to be removed. Both men and women should advise their esthetician as to whether or not they are wearing contact lenses.
Relax completely. A basic facial will take one hour to perform. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply and take this time to release the worries and the stresses of the day.
Let your esthetician know if you are comfortable or uncomfortable, too warm or too cold, or if a product is very stimulating. Your comfort and care is of the greatest concern and priority.
Enjoy your facial; the results will be visible and lasting.
Source:
dayspaassociation.com
THE METEORIC RISE OF THAI SPAS
A recent report published by Intelligent Spas notes that the Thai spa industry achieved 64% growth for the period 2000-2002. Exceptional performance is also reflected in the readership surveys and polls conducted by the leading international travel and leisure and lifestyle publications.
Since 1999 Thai spas have managed to consistently secure a place in the world's Top-5 overseas spas. In 2002 readers of Condé Nast Traveller -- a leading travel and lifestyle magazine with a total circulation of 72,151 and readership of 355,000 -- were polled on the basis of first-hand experience of their worldwide holidays. The awards recognised the 20 best in each of ten categories: airlines, airports, car rental, cities, countries, cruise lines, hotels, islands, spas, and tour operators. The readers voted Thailand second place with an overall score of 93.67%, after Australia (93.87%) with Thailand receiving the highest score of 97.18% in the people and hospitality criteria. Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin seized the top spot as the world's number one Destination Spa (92.58%) while The Regent Chiang Mai Resort & Spa was rated the 9th Best Overseas Hotel Spa (79.14%).
Between June 2001 - June 2002, some 230 Thai spa operators attracted 2.5 million international spa patrons and generated a total of US$85 million in revenue. Overseas spa patrons accounted for 79% of the country's total spa clientele - yet another clear vote of confidence for Thai spas. The operating results and economic performance far exceeds that of its counterparts in Singapore (US$35 million) and Australia (US$15 million). Comparatively in Singapore, international visitors accounted for 25% of the total spa customer base. In Australia, the contribution was 5%.
As Thailand settles comfortably into its new status as 'spa capital of Asia', this notable achievement masks the sector's modest beginnings. For the spa trailblazers of the early 1990s namely The Oriental Spa, The Banyan Tree Spa, and the country's only Destination Spa - Chiva-Som International Health Resort, the road to international success has been long and arduous. Creating trade and consumer awareness, understanding and acceptance of the spa products being offered took time - close to a decade. It also costed the industry veterans millions of international marketing dollars to cultivate an economically sustainable market and to convince the world to come and indulge in the Thai spa experience. The kingdom's undisputed spa reputation is the result of the professionalism, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the fighting spirit of its spa pioneers.Times have certainly changed. With the surge in demand for spa services in recent years, the secret is out. Investors, entrepreneurs and speculators are quick to spot a promising business opportunity. Supply has followed at lightning speed. Since the dawn of this new millennium, new hands have jumped on the bandwagon igniting the exponential growth of Thailand's spa industry and spurring the 21st century spa boom. Today Thai spas compete on equal footing with international counterparts in the cosmopolitan centres and fashion capitals of the world. In many cases, quality has attracted mutually beneficial joint ventures and cooperative partnerships seeking to cash in on the synergy that results from the 'marriage' of the Thai traditional art of healing and contemporary Western spa treatments.
With the proliferation of spa operations found in a diverse range of places beyond hotels, resorts, destination and medical spas, recent attempts to classify spas according to the types of premises in which the services are found have proven to be impractical and confusing.
Source:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Since 1999 Thai spas have managed to consistently secure a place in the world's Top-5 overseas spas. In 2002 readers of Condé Nast Traveller -- a leading travel and lifestyle magazine with a total circulation of 72,151 and readership of 355,000 -- were polled on the basis of first-hand experience of their worldwide holidays. The awards recognised the 20 best in each of ten categories: airlines, airports, car rental, cities, countries, cruise lines, hotels, islands, spas, and tour operators. The readers voted Thailand second place with an overall score of 93.67%, after Australia (93.87%) with Thailand receiving the highest score of 97.18% in the people and hospitality criteria. Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin seized the top spot as the world's number one Destination Spa (92.58%) while The Regent Chiang Mai Resort & Spa was rated the 9th Best Overseas Hotel Spa (79.14%).
Between June 2001 - June 2002, some 230 Thai spa operators attracted 2.5 million international spa patrons and generated a total of US$85 million in revenue. Overseas spa patrons accounted for 79% of the country's total spa clientele - yet another clear vote of confidence for Thai spas. The operating results and economic performance far exceeds that of its counterparts in Singapore (US$35 million) and Australia (US$15 million). Comparatively in Singapore, international visitors accounted for 25% of the total spa customer base. In Australia, the contribution was 5%.
As Thailand settles comfortably into its new status as 'spa capital of Asia', this notable achievement masks the sector's modest beginnings. For the spa trailblazers of the early 1990s namely The Oriental Spa, The Banyan Tree Spa, and the country's only Destination Spa - Chiva-Som International Health Resort, the road to international success has been long and arduous. Creating trade and consumer awareness, understanding and acceptance of the spa products being offered took time - close to a decade. It also costed the industry veterans millions of international marketing dollars to cultivate an economically sustainable market and to convince the world to come and indulge in the Thai spa experience. The kingdom's undisputed spa reputation is the result of the professionalism, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the fighting spirit of its spa pioneers.Times have certainly changed. With the surge in demand for spa services in recent years, the secret is out. Investors, entrepreneurs and speculators are quick to spot a promising business opportunity. Supply has followed at lightning speed. Since the dawn of this new millennium, new hands have jumped on the bandwagon igniting the exponential growth of Thailand's spa industry and spurring the 21st century spa boom. Today Thai spas compete on equal footing with international counterparts in the cosmopolitan centres and fashion capitals of the world. In many cases, quality has attracted mutually beneficial joint ventures and cooperative partnerships seeking to cash in on the synergy that results from the 'marriage' of the Thai traditional art of healing and contemporary Western spa treatments.
With the proliferation of spa operations found in a diverse range of places beyond hotels, resorts, destination and medical spas, recent attempts to classify spas according to the types of premises in which the services are found have proven to be impractical and confusing.
Source:
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Saturday, January 6, 2007
THAI SPA SUCCESS
Drawing from her first-hand experience in putting Thailand's first and only award-winning destination spa on the international map, spa veteran and Founder and President of the Thai Spa Association Naphalai Areesorn offers her insight.
"The key ingredients for a successful spa are the quality and variety of the services and products being offered, the price range, the friendliness and competence of the staff, design, atmosphere and ambience, and cleanliness.
" While the spa concept may have been 'borrowed', Thailand has done it better. Thai spas really do have it all. Nowhere else in the region will you find such variety and value framed in a perfect blend of Western leisure concepts and traditional Asian well-being therapies."
The quality of the Thai spa product offered is unquestionably world-class and unsurpassed, particularly the level of service offered. Service and hospitality are vital assets and are key differentiating factors attributed to a centuries-old tradition of gracious hospitality and service. This is complemented by the friendly and caring nature and gentle ways of the Thai people. These are important traits and priceless assets for any spa operation.
Thailand's winning spa formula goes beyond service excellence. A rich heritage that embodies a time-honoured healing tradition based on herbal and holistic remedies, generations of folk wisdom, and centuries-old healing techniques, some of which reflect deep-rooted Buddhist influences, embellishes the Thai spa experience.
The recent resurgence of "back to Nature" themes and consumer preference for natural health and beauty solutions have refocused attention on the healing power of indigenous herbs and plants - a key component in the ancient Thai tradition of natural healing. The country's great diversity of herbs and spices continues to provide a rich assortment of natural ingredients for exotic herbal preparations. Many of the rejuvenating treatments offered in modern spas have evolved from these ancient recipes. For example, the use of herbal heat compresses and the refreshing Thai herbal steam.
In a country where Buddhist influences predominate and shape Thai culture and the way of life in a myriad of ways, all aspects of Buddhist expression radiate a sense of tranquillity, harmony, inner peace and calm, thus forming a natural complement in the Mind, Body and Spirit equation. Thailand's Buddhist landscape offers the perfect backdrop. In adopting a holistic approach to health and well-being, Thai spas offer meditation classes as part of their all-encompassing 'mind, body and spirit' programmes designed to calm the mind and spirit.
The spa concept was imported, adopted, adapted, and refined. A hybrid cross-cult spa formula with a distinctive Thai touch has evolved and gone on to win the world's heart. Readers who participated in the 2002 Condé Nast Traveller survey also indicated that along with accommodation and airline, health and spa facilities in Thailand are of high quality and great value for money. Thai spas offer exceptional value for money.
An alluring tropical destination that offers tremendous natural and cultural diversity, Thailand continues to be one of the world's most popular long-haul holiday destinations. This is a distinct plus that adds to the country's core strengths as a high appeal spa destination.
"The key ingredients for a successful spa are the quality and variety of the services and products being offered, the price range, the friendliness and competence of the staff, design, atmosphere and ambience, and cleanliness.
" While the spa concept may have been 'borrowed', Thailand has done it better. Thai spas really do have it all. Nowhere else in the region will you find such variety and value framed in a perfect blend of Western leisure concepts and traditional Asian well-being therapies."
The quality of the Thai spa product offered is unquestionably world-class and unsurpassed, particularly the level of service offered. Service and hospitality are vital assets and are key differentiating factors attributed to a centuries-old tradition of gracious hospitality and service. This is complemented by the friendly and caring nature and gentle ways of the Thai people. These are important traits and priceless assets for any spa operation.
Thailand's winning spa formula goes beyond service excellence. A rich heritage that embodies a time-honoured healing tradition based on herbal and holistic remedies, generations of folk wisdom, and centuries-old healing techniques, some of which reflect deep-rooted Buddhist influences, embellishes the Thai spa experience.
The recent resurgence of "back to Nature" themes and consumer preference for natural health and beauty solutions have refocused attention on the healing power of indigenous herbs and plants - a key component in the ancient Thai tradition of natural healing. The country's great diversity of herbs and spices continues to provide a rich assortment of natural ingredients for exotic herbal preparations. Many of the rejuvenating treatments offered in modern spas have evolved from these ancient recipes. For example, the use of herbal heat compresses and the refreshing Thai herbal steam.
In a country where Buddhist influences predominate and shape Thai culture and the way of life in a myriad of ways, all aspects of Buddhist expression radiate a sense of tranquillity, harmony, inner peace and calm, thus forming a natural complement in the Mind, Body and Spirit equation. Thailand's Buddhist landscape offers the perfect backdrop. In adopting a holistic approach to health and well-being, Thai spas offer meditation classes as part of their all-encompassing 'mind, body and spirit' programmes designed to calm the mind and spirit.
The spa concept was imported, adopted, adapted, and refined. A hybrid cross-cult spa formula with a distinctive Thai touch has evolved and gone on to win the world's heart. Readers who participated in the 2002 Condé Nast Traveller survey also indicated that along with accommodation and airline, health and spa facilities in Thailand are of high quality and great value for money. Thai spas offer exceptional value for money.
An alluring tropical destination that offers tremendous natural and cultural diversity, Thailand continues to be one of the world's most popular long-haul holiday destinations. This is a distinct plus that adds to the country's core strengths as a high appeal spa destination.
TYPES OF SPAS IN THAILAND
Reflecting ISPA membership categories*
THE DESTINATION SPA
A spa whose sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, educational programming, and on-site accommodations. Spa cuisine is served exclusively.
THE RESORT/HOTEL SPA
A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel property providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.
THE MEDICAL SPA
Individuals, solo practices, groups and institutions comprised of medical and spa professionals whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment which integrates spa services, as well as conventional and complimentary therapies and treatments.
THE DAY SPA
A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.
THE DESTINATION SPA
A spa whose sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, educational programming, and on-site accommodations. Spa cuisine is served exclusively.
THE RESORT/HOTEL SPA
A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel property providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.
THE MEDICAL SPA
Individuals, solo practices, groups and institutions comprised of medical and spa professionals whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment which integrates spa services, as well as conventional and complimentary therapies and treatments.
THE DAY SPA
A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
FUTURE DIRECTION FOR THAI SPAS
The initial wave of Thai spas was fuelled in part by the arrival of international operators and spa consultants who brought with them experience and expertise to establish and manage high-quality spa operations. This led to the emergence of several major players such as the Mandara and the Spa of Siam, and the six chain hotels with their own distinctive spa brands namely - the Banyan Tree, Angsana, Six Senses, Centara by the Central Hotels & Resorts, and Devarana by the Dusit Group.
It is forecasted that The Hotel/Resort Spa sector will be leading the future growth of the spa sector with an increasing number of hotel properties in Thailand expected to launch their own spa products in the coming year. Many more deluxe hotels will be adding spa facilities and offering their in-house line of spa products and services.
As for product development, Naphalai firmly believes that holistic healing is the best model for Thailand. As more and more new operators crowd the market, survival of the fittest will be decided by the ability to differentiate oneself. Those who make the effort to go beyond beauty salon-style pampering will most certainly find the venture into the spa business more economically rewarding and sustainable.
With the exponential growth of spas in recent years, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health recognises the importance of establishing internationally-accepted standards for the industry and wishes to ensure that future industry growth proceeds in the right direction with Thai spa operators aiming for higher standards and striving towards the achievement of global spa industry standards. To achieve this, the Ministry is working closely with the Thai Spa Association in identifying appropriate criteria for the accreditation and certification of Thailand's spa operators. The Thai Spa Association consists of 50 members representing the major players in the industry comprising spas, spa operators, product suppliers, training school, and government agencies. The certification criteria being proposed for consideration are based on the generic guidelines of the International Spa Association (ISPA) but also taking it a step further by supplementing generic criteria with more tangible and measurable indicators of excellence.
The Thai Spa Association welcomes the active interest and involvement of the Ministry of Public Health as government recognition is deemed to be an important seal of quality, credibility and recognition accorded to an establishment.
Offshore, word of the Thai spa sensation has spread rapidly. There is growing international interest around the world in Thai spa expertise and "Made in Thailand" spa, health and beauty products, particularly herbal treatments. Savvy spa operators looking to add Thai touch to their spa menu have been in contact with TAT offices seeking help and advice in sourcing information and local contacts for Thai spa resources available - products and therapists included.
The growing demand for highly qualified and experienced spa personnel in the spa destinations, both in Thailand and overseas, drives new business opportunities in the recruitment, training and skills development of spa staff, particularly therapists.
Long-recognised for world-class service and hospitality, international spa operators are looking to Thailand to lead the region in the training of spa personnel to address market need in a world where demand far outstrips supply. Although there are no formal spa training schools in Thailand, spas such as The Banyan Tree, Mandara and Chiva-Som operate their own schools. Originally established for the purpose of in-house training, Thai spas have recently diversified and are offering their spa training curriculum as an alternative product made available to international trade buyers and individual therapists seeking to acquire accreditation by a respected and well-recognised spa institution. The spa's tailor-made training curriculum is supplemented with ad hoc training conducted by international spa consultants and product-oriented training by the individual suppliers of spa products and equipment.
Following in the footsteps of Thai cuisine and Thai food exports, spa expertise and therapists are next on Thailand's list of "hot exports".
It is forecasted that The Hotel/Resort Spa sector will be leading the future growth of the spa sector with an increasing number of hotel properties in Thailand expected to launch their own spa products in the coming year. Many more deluxe hotels will be adding spa facilities and offering their in-house line of spa products and services.
As for product development, Naphalai firmly believes that holistic healing is the best model for Thailand. As more and more new operators crowd the market, survival of the fittest will be decided by the ability to differentiate oneself. Those who make the effort to go beyond beauty salon-style pampering will most certainly find the venture into the spa business more economically rewarding and sustainable.
With the exponential growth of spas in recent years, Thailand's Ministry of Public Health recognises the importance of establishing internationally-accepted standards for the industry and wishes to ensure that future industry growth proceeds in the right direction with Thai spa operators aiming for higher standards and striving towards the achievement of global spa industry standards. To achieve this, the Ministry is working closely with the Thai Spa Association in identifying appropriate criteria for the accreditation and certification of Thailand's spa operators. The Thai Spa Association consists of 50 members representing the major players in the industry comprising spas, spa operators, product suppliers, training school, and government agencies. The certification criteria being proposed for consideration are based on the generic guidelines of the International Spa Association (ISPA) but also taking it a step further by supplementing generic criteria with more tangible and measurable indicators of excellence.
The Thai Spa Association welcomes the active interest and involvement of the Ministry of Public Health as government recognition is deemed to be an important seal of quality, credibility and recognition accorded to an establishment.
Offshore, word of the Thai spa sensation has spread rapidly. There is growing international interest around the world in Thai spa expertise and "Made in Thailand" spa, health and beauty products, particularly herbal treatments. Savvy spa operators looking to add Thai touch to their spa menu have been in contact with TAT offices seeking help and advice in sourcing information and local contacts for Thai spa resources available - products and therapists included.
The growing demand for highly qualified and experienced spa personnel in the spa destinations, both in Thailand and overseas, drives new business opportunities in the recruitment, training and skills development of spa staff, particularly therapists.
Long-recognised for world-class service and hospitality, international spa operators are looking to Thailand to lead the region in the training of spa personnel to address market need in a world where demand far outstrips supply. Although there are no formal spa training schools in Thailand, spas such as The Banyan Tree, Mandara and Chiva-Som operate their own schools. Originally established for the purpose of in-house training, Thai spas have recently diversified and are offering their spa training curriculum as an alternative product made available to international trade buyers and individual therapists seeking to acquire accreditation by a respected and well-recognised spa institution. The spa's tailor-made training curriculum is supplemented with ad hoc training conducted by international spa consultants and product-oriented training by the individual suppliers of spa products and equipment.
Following in the footsteps of Thai cuisine and Thai food exports, spa expertise and therapists are next on Thailand's list of "hot exports".
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
WHAT IS A SPA?
Most patrons would describe the spa as a place where one ventures when in need of stress-relief pampering. For others, spas are places where you can slip away to and forget about life's troubles. Spa professionals and advocates offer a simple and practical rule of thumb on what constitutes a genuine spa.
The real test of a spa is the quality of the overall experience and the end results delivered. Was the delicate balance of mind, body and spirit restored? Did the particular spa experience create a sense of well-being? Did the individual feel as though they got a new lease on life? Did they leave the spa premises revitalised and bouncing with energy?
The International SPA Association (ISPA), an internationally-recognised professional association representing over 1,000 health and wellness facilities and providers and the voice of the spa industry worldwide defines the "Spa Experience" as being "Your time to Relax, Reflect, Revitalize and Rejoice." One of the stated ISPA objectives is to "revitalize humanity through the promotion of spa wellness."
There is a clear consensus that while spas also offer "look good" beauty treatments along with feel good" treatments, spas go beyond superficial pampering. Holistic healing is central to the spa concept.
In Thailand, the vast majority of existing spa facilities are Hotel/Resort Spas. The Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin is the country's only destination spa. In the 2002 Condé Nast Traveller readership survey, the facility was rated the world's number one Destination Spa by an overwhelming 92.58% and labelled "the number one sensation in overseas destination spas."
St Carlos in Bangkok, promoted as Asia's first integrated Thai herbal medical spa, was Thailand's first international medical spa offering holistic and preventative treatments. The Bangkok Dermatology Center and Bamrungrad Hospital are recent additions to the list. Day spas largely cater to the domestic clientele. The budding sector has contributed to much of the recent growth in spa facilities and services.
Natural process appears to have neatly segmented the spa market with Hotel/Resorts, and Destination Spas attracting overseas patrons and the Day Spas catering to the locals.
The real test of a spa is the quality of the overall experience and the end results delivered. Was the delicate balance of mind, body and spirit restored? Did the particular spa experience create a sense of well-being? Did the individual feel as though they got a new lease on life? Did they leave the spa premises revitalised and bouncing with energy?
The International SPA Association (ISPA), an internationally-recognised professional association representing over 1,000 health and wellness facilities and providers and the voice of the spa industry worldwide defines the "Spa Experience" as being "Your time to Relax, Reflect, Revitalize and Rejoice." One of the stated ISPA objectives is to "revitalize humanity through the promotion of spa wellness."
There is a clear consensus that while spas also offer "look good" beauty treatments along with feel good" treatments, spas go beyond superficial pampering. Holistic healing is central to the spa concept.
In Thailand, the vast majority of existing spa facilities are Hotel/Resort Spas. The Chiva-Som International Health Resort in Hua Hin is the country's only destination spa. In the 2002 Condé Nast Traveller readership survey, the facility was rated the world's number one Destination Spa by an overwhelming 92.58% and labelled "the number one sensation in overseas destination spas."
St Carlos in Bangkok, promoted as Asia's first integrated Thai herbal medical spa, was Thailand's first international medical spa offering holistic and preventative treatments. The Bangkok Dermatology Center and Bamrungrad Hospital are recent additions to the list. Day spas largely cater to the domestic clientele. The budding sector has contributed to much of the recent growth in spa facilities and services.
Natural process appears to have neatly segmented the spa market with Hotel/Resorts, and Destination Spas attracting overseas patrons and the Day Spas catering to the locals.
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