Body Balance Massage Therapy and Day Spa serving Springfield, Missouri

As many of you already know, massage has several different styles and techniques. Some sources, such as the wikipedia website, report that massage has over 80 modalities. The different modalities range from different relaxation techniques to different types of therapeutic work.

 I wanted to spend a little bit of the next few weeks covering some of the different techniques we use here at Body Balance Spa.  In this blog post we’ll cover the most common of all modalities, the Swedish Massage.

Swedish Massage is by far the most common massage performed not only by our day spa, but across the world. This modality was developed in the early 1800s by a Swedish physiologist Henri Peter Ling.

Typically the Swedish Massage uses gliding strokes with the kneading of individual muscles. In order to help make the long, gliding movements used in a Swedish Massage oils or lotions are typically used. Clients will be covered by a sheet at all times to protect the their privacy. The sheet is moved while an area is worked and then recovered once the theapist moves to another area. This technique is referred to as draping.

Swedish Massage is typically used for relaxation and circulation purposes and not as a technique for therapuetic work. However, the health benefits of regular massage have been well-documented in numerous studies. This means periodic Swedish Massage has numerous helath benefits ranging from improved immune system to a reduction in anxiety.

 The bottom-line is if you are looking for a relaxation massage that has health benefits and feels great then the Swedish Massage is probably right for you!

This is such a good deal I just had to let all of you know right away.

For a brief time this holiday we’ve decided to run one of the best gift certificate specials in Southwest Missouri. Simply purchase $100 or more in gift certificates and receive a free gift certificate for an express facial! You must reference this special offer during purchase to receive your free gift certificate. To view our other specials visit our other December specials.

Call us today at 417-732-9994 to order your gift certificates today.

Congratulations to Kristina Hays, the November 2007 winner of the Got your Back monthly free massage give-away. Kristina was nominated by her son Matthew Noblett.
Would you like to win a free massage for friends or family? It’s easy to do. Simply visit our free massage contest web page.

With the holiday season upon us, I thought I’d share some tidbits from a recent study by the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association). The study covered a variety of topics, but the question we’re addressing is who gives and receives the gift of massage?
Men are on the gift certificate wagon in a big way when it comes to giving the gift of massage to a spouse or significant other. When men give a massage gift certificate, 58% gave the gift certificate to a spouse and 32% gave the gift to a significant other.
Women are a little more likely to give massage as a gift. Approximately 1 out of 3 women in the survey gave massage as a gift. This is compared to 1 out 4 men giving massage gift certificates.
However, women are much less likely to give their spouses the gift certificates they purchase! Women gift certificates went to the spouse 28% of the time and to their significant other 14% of the time. A whopping 41% of gift certificates went to friends.
I found this information to be interesting and it certainly seems accurate based on our gift certificate sales at Body Balance Spa. However, the most important thing to remember is day spa gift certificates make the perfect gift for just about anybody. If you are looking for the perfect gift for the holidays give us a call at 417-732-9994 or visit our gift certificate page.

The best day spa paraffin treatments in Southwest Missouri!

Paraffin treatments do not get nearly as much press as other day spa treatments. Everyone knows the medical and relaxation benefits that are provided by massage. They also know how great facials are at replenishing tired and dehydrated skin. Who doesn’t want to make their face look younger? The International Day Spa Associating has an annual survey that rates all day spa services in order of preference. Massage and facial treatment are consistently rated the top two favorites year after year.

However did you know that the use of paraffin treatments as a therapeutic and relaxation treatment dates back to Roman Empire? During this time the paraffin treatment was used on the body as a prelude to massage treatments. In later years countries such as the French and English used paraffin treatments to help speed healing of injuries, especially for joint problems.

The benefits of paraffin treatments include hydrating dry hands and feet, allowing the deep-penetrating heat to soothe achy muscles and joints, and even aid conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, and muscle spasms.

The interesting thing about paraffin treatments in the day spa is this treatment is easy to incorporate into the two favorites (massage and facial). For example while waiting for a mask to dry in a facial, a paraffin treatment can be given. A paraffin treatment can also be incorporated into a relaxation massage as part of the session. So you don’t have to choose between your favorites and paraffin treatments, you can have the best of both!

Body Balance Spa does not endorse using communal vats for paraffin treatments. Do you really want to dip your hands or feet in the same vat that others have been using all day? That’s the reason we only use single use and sanitary paraffin treatments at our establishment. Ask us today about the savings you receive when you combine a paraffin treatment with a massage or facial. You can read more about our paraffin treatments on our day spa treatments page or book an appointment for your paraffin treatment today.