Tag Archive for: massage

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Massage Memberships Can Steal Your Relaxation Time

Most massage enthusiasts in Conway, AR would say that the perfect massage time length is as long as possible. Unfortunately, massages can’t last forever. Schedules, therapist endurance, budget limitations, and wellness goals are often factors that influence the length of a client’s massage. However, these factors should never impact the actual massage time that the client pays for and receives. At our local spa, we make sure that each client receives the full time or service that they request. Sadly, some spas, especially massage memberships spas, require that at least 10 minutes of your 60 or 90-minute massage is reserved for consultation and dressing.

In this week’s blog, we look at why this practice is bad for spa clients and why The Spa’ah avoids it at all costs.

Hurry Up and Relax!

I’m sure that many of you have heard the phrase, “hurry up and wait.” Have you ever been told to, “hurry up and relax?” Many franchise or massage memberships based spas consider a 60-minute massage “50 minutes of hands-on service and 10 minutes for consultation and dressing.” The same logic is applied to a 30 or 90-minute service.

Consultation Confusion!

A proper consultation is essential for a great massage. During a typical massage consultation, your therapist should ask about your lifestyle, any focus or trouble areas that need to be addressed, as well as any medical concerns. Therapists should also be familiar with the client’s goals for their session which can include relaxation, increased mobility, pain relief and more.

Unfortunately, many spas require you to pay for your consultation as part of your service and limit consultation time. This means that the client is often forced to rush through an explanation of their ailments and preferences in an effort to get as much massage time as possible. This can be confusing for the therapist and result in a sub-par massage that may not address all of the client’s aches and pains.

Dressing Dangers!

To make matters worse, spas that utilize massage minutes for consultation also require that time to be used for dressing and undressing. The result is that the client is not provided with very much time to dress and undress before and after a massage. This can present some real issues for clients who may be in a great amount of pain or have trouble dressing and undressing due to muscular or joint abnormalities. In addition, if a client takes more time to dress and undress, their massage minutes are docked which results in less time with a therapist.  All in all, this practice is not good for clients and can make their massage experience a stressor rather than a relaxing experience to be enjoyed.

Get What You Pay For!

It is important to read to the fine print when seeking out massage therapy deals. Understanding what you are getting when you pay for a massage is very important to weigh the value of one service provider against another. In other words, what may appear to be a good deal at first glance could, in fact, end in a bad experience or more money paid per massage minute.

For example, a typical 60-minute Swedish massage at The Spa’ah in Conway, Arkansas costs $65. This includes a full 60 minutes of massaging from a licensed therapist with no interruptions. This is because we request clients arrive early to their appointments so we do not have to include consultations or dressing in their actual massage time. Other massage providers, like massage memberships spas, charge $50 or $60 dollars for a 50-minute massage with 10 minutes of rushed preparation that can ultimately result in unpleasant experiences. When you compare the two approaches, The Spa’ah provides a full 60-minute massage at nearly the same price as massage memberships spas plus additional preparation and consultation services free of charge. 

If you would like to learn more about The Spa’ah’s services or book an appointment online, click here!

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Perpetuating Factors and Chronic Pain

What are Perpetuating Factors?

According to the Institute for Integrative Healthcare, perpetuating factors are “things that perpetuate myofascial pain due to muscle trigger points.” In other words, these factors are essential components of chronic conditions that often cause pain. Many individuals who have perpetuating factors of chronic pain often find temporary comfort in massage therapy. Because the reprieve from pain is only temporary for these sufferers of perpetuating factors, they often consider massage therapy to be a luxury service rather than a viable source of chronic pain relief. The reality is that a massage therapist as well as your medical doctor or chiropractor can help you identify any perpetuating factors that may be contributing to your chronic pain. Unless the true source of pain can be identified, you will have a hard time finding long term relief.

There are four different types of perpetuating factors:

  1. Mechanical Stress: Caused by body structural inadequacies like one shorter leg, postural stress like a ill fitting office desk / chair, dental malocclusion or misfitting teeth, and / or outside factors of muscle constriction like heavy purses or backpacks.
  2. Nutritional Inadequacies and Excess: Cause by a deficit or surplus of specific nutrients including Vitamins B1, B6, B12, and Folic Acid.
  3. Hormone Inadequacies and Diet: Caused by hormone fluctuations during menstrual cycles and inadequate levels of thyroid hormone. Allergies and hypoglycemia can also play a role in this kind of perpetuating factor.
  4. Acute or Chronic Infection: Caused by a viral or bacterial illness like the Flu as myofascial trigger points increase during systemic illnesses or active infections.

Most Americans can identify one or more of these types of chronic pain perpetrators as present in their lifestyle. Many of those Americans are also turning to massage therapy as a source of long term relief!

How can massage therapy help address Perpetuating Factors?

Massage therapy can provide temporary and long term relief to chronic pain. Temporary relief is provided by a therapist’s skill with various modalities of treatment. Long term relief can be found by an experienced therapist’s knowledge and practice.

An experienced massage therapist can help you identify lifestyle changes that can greatly impact your chronic pain. For this reason, it is a good idea to continue using the same spa for your massage therapy needs. This will allow the therapists there to all become familiar with you, your lifestyle, and your perpetuating factors. An experienced massage therapist can help chronic pain sufferers break their cycle of rehabilitation and relapse.

When you visit the same experienced therapist regularly, they will notice a specific pattern of problem areas. For example, your therapist might notice that you consistently have very tense shoulders. If he / she knows that your job involves sitting for long periods of time, your therapist might suggest a more ergonomic desk. Your massage therapists can suggest when a visit to your regular medical doctor might be warranted for a nutrition evaluation or treatment of an infection.

How can I identify Perpetuating Factors in my chronic pain?

Click here for a very helpful chart of potential perpetuating factors. Give this link a look before your next massage therapy appointment, and prepare yourself to discuss any potential chronic pain perpetrators with your therapist. Perpetuating factors are often the difference between temporary relief and long term recovery.

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Massage and Spa Treatments at The Spa’ah

We offer diverse massage and spa treatments at a convenient location with great prices!

The Spa’ah is located on Amity Road in Conway, Arkansas just off of I-40. The establishment opened in December 2014 and is the brainchild of licensed massage therapist and owner Michelle Christen. Since its opening, the spa has enjoyed success and growth, including the addition of more massage therapists and services. The spa features couple’s massage rooms, individual massage rooms, whirlpool tubs, and a rain shower to enhance services and the customer experience. To remain up to date on current practices and safety standards, all massage therapists employed by the Spa’ah are licensed and maintain a membership with Associated Bodyworks and Massage Professionals which is the leading massage therapy association in the United States. Our highly qualified massage therapists provide a menu of diverse and convenient spa treatments and service at The Spa’ah in Conway.

The Spa’ah offers a wide range of spa treatments in a gender-neutral atmosphere which allows for both men and women to feel at ease while receiving their services.

The Spa’ah offers a variety of massage options.

Examples of Massage Options:

  • Swedish Massage (Effle’Ah): Available for individuals or couples, Swedish massage focuses on relaxation by releasing muscle tension and increasing circulation. It is the most common form of massage therapy.
    • Deep Tissue Massage (Kinetic’Ah): Deep Tissue massage uses firm to deep pressure and slower movements to release tight tissues, working down into the fascia, tendons, and deep muscles. It is particularly useful for removing knots in the muscles, chronic muscle pain, and injury rehabilitation.
    • Lomi Lomi Massage (Ah’Loha): A Hawaiian technique, this method uses rhythmic movements and an abundance of oil to break up fibrous deposits, improve circulation, and eliminate toxins.
    • Thai Massage (Thai’Ah): Thai massage uses pressure point compression, gentle rocking, and passive stretching to increase flexibility, reduce migraines and anxiety, and improve sleep. Thai massage can be done on a mat or table and remaining fully dressed in loose-fitting clothing is an option.
    • Prenatal Massage (Ma’Ah): Prenatal massage is done in a side-lying position with supporting pillows as needed. It can help improve circulation, decrease common maternal aches and pains, and reduce stress and fatigue. Massage has been shown to encourage shorter, easier labors and reduce hospital stays.
    • Hot Stone Massage (Stone’Ah): Basalt stones are heated and used along with oil to massage the body. The heat relaxes the muscles and allows for a deeper massage while maintaining a relaxed state.

“Can massage therapy and spa treatments really help me?”

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has a growing body of research showing that massage not only reduces stress and muscle tension, but can also help with medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, high blood pressure, and migraines. Of course, massage also can increase range of motion, encourage better sleep, help with anxiety, and ease joint pain. National Institute of Health (NIH) studies have shown Swedish massage, conducted just once a week, to be optimal for knee pain from osteoarthritis.

Other research shows that massage can be beneficial in patients who suffer from chronic lower back pain. In a survey done by the AMTA, 88% of consumers view massage therapy as “beneficial to health and wellness,” and 56% were recommended to massage therapy by a medical professional. Formerly regarded as a luxury service, massage is moving into the realm of health maintenance with 50% of people today get massages to help with medical issues or injuries, and 28% receive massage services to improve their mental health by reducing stress and aiding relaxation.

Clients also sometimes want a little something extra, or some special attention paid in one area. Clients can enhance their experience with add-on spa treatments.

Examples of Spa Treatments:

  • Facials: This treatment cleanses and exfoliates the face with a hot, moist towel treatment. It also includes the application of a mask, toner, and moisturizer.
  • Hand and/or Foot Paraffin: Paraffin treatments use warm, melted wax to provide pain relief to sore joints, while softening the skin. It also increases range of motion in the joints.
  • Reflexology: Reflexology is based on the principle that parts of the body are connected to specific locations on the hands and feet. Application of pressure in appropriate locations can contribute to the natural function of the related area in the body. Reflexology also helps relieve tension and improve circulation.
  • Gua Sha: Gua Sha is an Asian method used to remove stagnant blood and lymph from the fascia. Focusing on one area, this technique allows the body to metabolize cellular waste and promotes the addition of fresh blood and cells in the area.
  • Cupping: Used in traditional Chinese medicine and brought into the mainstream mind by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, cupping helps to treat pain, muscle knots, swelling, and deep scar tissues within the muscles.

“What’s in Conway, Arkansas anyway?”

Located in the heart of Conway, Arkansas, the Spa’ah offers a wide range of spa services that, if not right in your backyard, are in the heart of a wonderful getaway location. Conway offers big city amenities with a small-town feel. Make a date night (or lunch) of your time and visit local favorites such as Mulan’s (buffet-style Chinese/Japanese), Tacos 4 Life, or even Mike’s Place, if you’re feeling a bit fancier. Enjoy a night away from home at the Hilton Garden Inn Conway, located right across the street, or the Hampton Inn Conway. After your service, you can enjoy some shopping at the shopping center right around the corner. Regional chain favorites such as Target, Belk, Old Navy, and Dick’s Sporting Goods are located all in one convenient location.

Or, if you’re more inclined towards the outdoors, enjoy all of the beauty of Faulkner county by visiting Lake Beaverfork or Lake Conway, the largest man-made game and fish commission lake in the United States, or walk the trails near the Arkansas River at Cadron Settlement Park, with facilities on the National Register of Historic Places.

Massage therapy and spa services can contribute to overall health and wellness, especially when received regularly. Practicing good health practices doesn’t have to be un-enjoyable. We hope you will consider the Spa’ah to help you with your health and wellness needs, as well as the indulgences you want and deserve. Be sure to read our “What to Expect” page on our website to prepare for your first visit to The Spa’ah in Conway, Arkansas!

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