If you’re looking for a great spa experience head to a Napa Valley Spa. Indulge yourself and escape from the cellphone, texts and emails. Enjoy rest, relaxation and the simple pleasure of body massage. Nearly every resort has a spa facility. However, some resorts may charge an additional facilities fee in addition to treatment cost even if you’re a guest at the resort.
Spa Tips and Terminology
Spa Facilities
•Arrive Early. Arrive at least an hour before your scheduled appointment time. Take advantage of spa amenities, and relax before your treatments begins.
•Shower before using the spa facilities.
•Cool down after each session of sauna, steam, or hot plunge .
•Prepare your Pores. Use the sauna. whirlpool, or steam before a facial or moisturizing treatment.
Massage
•If there are any areas on your body that are injured, sore, or tense, be sure to mention it. Also mention any medical conditions.
•Relax, close your eyes, and breathe slowly.
•Lay limply. Allow your therapist to position and move your limbs, and don’t assist unless requested.
Terminology
Swedish Massage. A classic and one of the most well-known massage techniques. Swedish massage is a s system of treatment designed to stimulate circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. You are disrobed and covered by a sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. Therapists use a combination of rolling kneading, vibrational, percussive, and tapping, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin.
•Deep Tissue: A deeper manipulation of the muscle to release tension among problem muscle groups.
•Sports: Similar to a Deep Tissue massage, this localized massage focuses on lengthening and loosening muscles, often with heat.
•Aromatherapy: Utilizes light to medium pressure, often combining Swedish, Shiatsu and reflexology techniques, with therapeutic essential oils.
•Reflexology: Sometimes referred to as zone therapy, based on an ancient Chinese therapy, reflexology involves pressure applied to the reflex points of the feet and/or hands to improve circulation, relieve stress and promote relaxation. this bodywork involves application of pressure to these reflex zones to stimulate body organs and relieve areas of congestion.
•Aveda Therapy: Based on ancient Ayurvedic principles, sensory testing is conducted to choose an aromatic key element to create an overall sense of well-being and balance.
•Watsu: Stretching someone while having them float in warm water. While you are in water your therapist uses Shiatsu pressure point techniques, stretching and movement therapy to release tension.
•Tandem: Massage performed by two therapists at once.
•Shiatsu: Pressure is applied to the meridians and acu-points on your body, to relax and energize.
•Reiki: Healing is transferred by lightly placing hands on various parts of your body.
•Stone: Smooth, rounded, heated stones are used as a massage medium for relaxation.
•Cranial Sacral: Gentle traction and pressure on the scalp and spine to release tension and restore symmetry. Especially helpful for those who experience migraines, TMJ and sinus problems.
•Head, Shoulder, Neck: Concentrates on these three problem areas to relieve tension.
•Neuromuscular Therapy: Deep Massage used to locate spasms and hyper-contraction in your tissues. Eliminates trigger points that can cause pain, restores posture alignment, rebuilds injured tissue, increases flexibility and blood flow.
Other Spa Service Terminology
•Facials: There are many varieties of facials. Facials can consist of a variety or combination of the following: neck and shoulder massage; moisture treatment; deep cleansing treatment to tone and exfoliate the skin; steam; extraction; facial massage.
•Wraps: There are many varieties of wraps. Your body is wrapped in a purifying element such as clay, seaweed or pre-treated herbal towels to draw out impurities, relax muscles and detoxify the skin. Steam and moisturizers also may be applied.
•Salt Glow: Sea salt crystals and a cleanser are used to exfoliate your skin, then rinsed away and followed by a moisturizing treatment.
•Body Buff: Similar to a salt glow, but using smoother elements such as Jojoba beads or crushed nuts as the exfoliate.
•Body Scrub: Similar to the salt glow, but using natural elements such as pumice or a loofah as the exfoliate.
Napa Spa Directory A to Z
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