Stress, long hours at one's desk and lack of exercise all add up to a body that's racked with aches and pains. Julian Tan and Margie T Logarta find out where to get excellent help.
You work hard to get to where you are now. But you’ve overdone it that now you’re not only feeling the pinch, but aches, pains, migraines and muscle spasms as well. Was it all worth this?
Fret not, because there are still ways to enjoy the life you’ve made for yourself, and remain in tune with your body. Why not mix work and pleasure by booking yourself a healing therapy on your next business trip? Schedule it as you would a business appointment (with yourself), and this will minimise the temptation to forego it.
In a search for effective rejuvenation, we looked around and discovered a wealth of wellness facilities in the region offering non-invasive techniques to combat jetlag, wear and tear of constant travel and office-related stress. Here are four of the best therapies you would do well to consider.
Mind and Body Rejuvenation
The DRx Medispa, Singapore
WHO'S OFFERING? The DRx Medispa is part of The DRx Group, which also owns The DRx Clinic, the first medical aesthetics facility in Singapore to be ISO9001/2000 certified, and The DRx Center, a non-medical aesthetics facility offering selected holistic therapies based on Eastern traditional medicine.
Dr SK Tan is the senior medical director, who has practised aesthetics medicine since 1983. Two years ago, The DRx Clinic opened its first clinic in Kuala Lumpur, with more outlets planned in the region.
THE THERAPY: Designed for the fatigued, stressed and jetlagged, The DRx Mind and Body Rejuvenation is a three-step programme combining Airnergy, Flotation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) and massage. The treatment begins with a 20-minute Airnergy session to increase the body’s use of oxygen, enhancing cellular restoration and increasing clarity. (Michael Schumacher is reportedly a fan of oxygen therapy.) This is followed by the Flotation REST, a 45-minute zero-gravity floating in a shallow pool of saturated Epsom salt solution for relieving muscle tension and blood pressure. A 60-minute Aromatherapeutic or Deep Tissue massage concludes the treatment.
For ultimate all-over pampering, clients can opt for a 75-minute Facial Rejuvenation (S$150/US$103) to achieve that fairer and more even skin tone. Alternatively, the Revital Eyes treatment (S$70/US$48) banishes dark circles, puffiness and fine lines.
PRICE: S$360 (US$248) for the 125-minute DRx Mind and Body Rejuvenation.
CONTACT: 3 Temasek Boulevard, #03-52/54 Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983, tel 65 6836 1555, www.drxmedispa.com
Whole Body Energy Therapy
Quan Spa at JW Marriott Mumbai
WHO'S OFFERING? The therapy based on the principle of naturopathy, which involves osteopathy, body talk (psychotherapy), reflexology, breathing exercises and water therapy, is developed and administered by Dr Archana Chowdhary. One who does not mince her words, she says: “Osteopathy involves manipulation of the muscular skeleton and the activation of vital energy points located over the body”.
THE THERAPY: The treatment which addresses stress-related disorders and detoxification, uses no oil and is performed fully clothed. Osteopathy and reflexology are the two methods of treatment. The former involves manipulation of the skeletal and muscular systems and activation of vital energy points located over the body, while the latter is a holistic way of applying pressure and massage to the reflex points found on the feet and hands, and includes water therapy and breathing exercises during the treatment. Both disciplines aim to achieve a state of calm and balance, enhancing the elimination of waste products within the body, and improving blood circulation, digestion and the efficiency of the respiratory system. Particularly good for easing body aches and bloating, helping the body balance hormonal fluctuations and self-cleansing of the body.
PRICE: From Rs3,000 (US$76) per seating.
CONTACT: Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai 400049, India, tel 91 22 6693 3610, www.marriott.com
De-stress Signature Package
Paua Spa at Centrestage
WHO'S OFFERING? This urban-day sanctuary is the latest addition to the Paua Group’s portfolio of spa and wellness facilities. It is housed in the new CentreStage complex in the Soho District. Designed by veteran planners Deckerman Wellness, it consists of six spacious treatment rooms – named after natural elements featuring a dark palette of slate, black and rust mosaic tile and warm woods to create an utterly soothing ambience. A couple’s room with an ergonomic body-contoured double Jacuzzi is available. Other facilities include a nail bar in the lounge area and a secluded outdoor terrace, which provides a refreshing venue for private chill-out parties or bonding sessions, even for corporates.
THE THERAPY: Therapist Fanny started the sessions with a whole-body exfoliation, using the Elemis Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow scrub. This was followed by a mild steam bath and cool shower, which served as a pleasing prep for the massage to come. Using a silky lotion, also by Elemis, Thai-born Fanny employed sweeping strokes on problem parts I had asked her to focus on – my problem left shoulder and lower right back. A petite woman, she was capable of medium to strong pressure and didn’t seem to lose momentum despite nearly an hour of manipulating my muscles.
PRICE: HK$1,460 (US$187) for 110 minutes.
CONTACT: 108 Hollywood Road, tel 852 2522 3054, www.paua.com.hk
Clinical Massage Therapy
Sutherland-Chan Centre
WHO'S OFFERING? This establishment prides itself as Soft Tissue Specialists, ready to assist in relieving pain and discomfort in muscles, fascia, tendons and ligaments and alleviate conditions such as Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
THE THERAPY: Unlike the massage received at spas, the techniques used here are applied after individual assessment, followed by a plan tailored to the client’s needs. All therapists like Ky Jablonowski, who worked on me, are trained in Ontario, Canada and are Registered Healthcare Professionals.
Jablonowski used a range of soft tissue-release techniques to stretch and loosen a very sore upper right shoulder, then taught me a series of simple exercises to perform during the day to prevent tension from building up in that area. He also instructed me to use a horse-shoe pillow when flying to keep my neck steady and balanced while sleeping in the air and prescribed taking an Epsom salts bath to remove metabolic waste after the treatment like the one I had undergone with him. Other conditions treated by Massage Therapy include whiplash, tension headaches, burn recovery, colic, migraine headaches and insomnia.
PRICE: HK$750 (US$96) for one hour; HK$600 (US$77) for 45 minutes; HK$1,100 (US$141) for 90 minutes. The first session is a minimum one hour for assessment.
CONTACT: 15th Floor, Capitol Plaza, 2-10 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hongkong, tel 852 2544 5838, www.sccentre.com.hk
