The many benefits of massage

How often have you heard someone exclaim, "I need a massage!" when caught up in the pressures of everyday life? It's a common sentiment and one that you may be nodding in agreement with. On the other hand, you might never have experienced a massage and may be wondering what it actually feels like and how it can possibly halt you in your stressed-out tracks.

So just how does a professional massage benefit you?

Researchers at McMaster University found that massage affects the activity of specific genes, reducing inflammation in the muscles and increasing their ability to recover from exercise. (This is the same effect as taking an anti-inflammatory drug such as Aspirin™.) The researchers determined that massage sets in motion a series of molecular events within the muscles that helps reverse the discomfort caused by exercise. The activity of pain-causing proteins known as inflammatory cytokines is dampened, and levels of proteins that signal the muscles to produce more energy-producing mitochondria within the cells is enhanced. This helps the muscles to recover quicker.

Different types of massage are employed to benefit specific health conditions, and we have briefly explained these below.

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, many people enjoy massage because it involves caring and comfort and can generate a sense of empowerment leading to better stress management.

A variety of massage treatments

Spa Utopia offers a number of specialized massage treatments including:

Utopia Royal Massage - a 100 minute, full body Swedish massage employing hot stones, towels and steam to completely relax body and mind.
Utopia Siesta Massage - a 75 minute Swedish massage using our signature Siesta massage oil, that prepares you for sleep.
Utopia Deep Tissue Massage -  a 50 or 75 minute deep treatment massage that targets areas of muscular stress and tension.
Utopia Signature Massage - a 75 minute treatment using hot stones, aromatherapy. A foot massage
is included.
Utopia Hot Stone Massage - this 75 minute massage employs hot stones and the skill of your massage therapist to produce complete relaxation.
Utopia Classic Swedish Full Body Massage  - a 50 or 75 minute treatment that will leave you relaxed and refreshed. A perfect introduction to the pleasures of massage.
Utopia Classic Swedish Back, Neck Shoulders - a  relaxing 50-minute treatment focusing on areas of the body that are frequently tense.

All these services may be viewed on our website.

Massage services may be provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) or non-registered Massage Therapist. (All
Spa Utopia massage practitioners have received the highest level of education in their specialty. (RMTs registered in BC must have completed a minimum of 3,000 hours of training, the most comprehensive in North America. In addition, Spa Utopia massage practitioners are required to successfully complete in-house training—a process that can take several weeks.)

In addition to the above massage services, Spa Utopia also offers Advanced Therapeutic Massage designed to ameliorate specific conditions such as headaches, arthritis, lower back pain, sciatica, and neck/shoulder pain. To determine what type of massage is best for you, we offer a free consultation with one of our Registered Massage Therapists (usually prior to your first scheduled treatment). 

Advanced Therapeutic Massage treatments include the following:

A 50 or 80 minute Designed for U massage, focusing on your specific health condition. Conditions addressed include pain, anxiety, insomnia and stress related to conditions such as asthma and diabetes.

A 50 or 80 minute Sports Massage is recommended for both elite athletes and weekend warriors. A variety of stretching, deep tissue massage, and specific rehabilitative techniques are employed to get you back on the playing field faster.

A 50 or 80 minute Postural Restoration session ideal for people who spend long hours sitting at a computer, driving long distances or spending their day in ways that may affect the posture.

A 50 or 80 minute Tension Headaches massage which decreases musculoskeletal tissue tension resulting from work and life stressors.

A 50 or 80 minute Easy Breath session is recommended for those with shallow breathing or shortness of breath associated with sore neck and shoulders, anxiety and panic episodes, headache, frequent cough and colds, allergies, bronchitis, trouble sleeping, and injuries to the ribs.

A 50 or 80 minute Easy Digest massage treatment is helpful for those experiencing constipation, and conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, nervous stomach, abdominal bloating, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

You can read more about Advanced Therapeutic Massage options on our website.

A special offer just for you

Be sure to watch for our eBlast the morning of Tuesday, February 14, for our special  offer:

A 50 minute Utopia™ Classic Full Body Swedish Massage

         

Regularly priced at $110. (plus applicable taxes)

         

Special pricing: $83.60 ( plus applicable taxes )

         

A savings of 24%

(Some conditions apply)

Dry brushing for beautiful skin

Merben Sisal Body Brush (also available without handle)

It takes only minutes a day, but its results are long lasting.

Dry brushing the skin improves the circulation, and stimulates the lymphatic system to more effectively remove toxins. Over time, this can improve the immune response and help us keep healthy. Dry brushing also delays skin aging.  As we age, our bodies become less effective in shedding outer layers of dead skin cells. This build-up of dead skin can result in a thick, dry and somewhat leathery look, particularly on the back of the arms. The act of brushing removes older, keratinized skin cells, and encourages the skin's basal layer to produce more fresh, new cells. In this sense, dry brushing is rejuvenating. In addition to exfoliating this outer layer, dry skin brushing also stimulates the sweat and oil glands, helping to keep the skin more moist. It also helps keep young skin fresh, vibrant and free of breakouts. Some women say that regular, daily brushing can help control cellulite.

As well as exfoliating the outer layer of the skin, dry skin brushing also stimulates the sweat and oil glands, more effectively removing toxins and allowing the skin to better retain needed moisture. It can also help keep young skin fresh, vibrant and free of breakouts.

When dry brushing your skin, it is important to use the right brush. A back-scrubbing bath and shower brush is not as effective as a natural fibre brush designed especially for dry brushing.

Most people choose to dry brush right before their shower or bath. When beginning to dry brush, you should leave a couple of days in between brushings. You can then work up to three or four times weekly, or even every day if you choose.

How to dry brush effectively

1. Beginning with your feet, moving in gentle circular motions, moving towards the heart. Some people prefer to brush in longer, more sweeping strokes towards the heart, so experiment to see what feels best to you. You might prefer to do long, sweeping strokes on the arms and legs, and smaller circular motions everywhere else. Begin with the soles of the feet, and then the insteps.

2. Brush each leg, one at a time, first the back of the leg, then over the derrière. Move the brush to the front of the leg and repeat, up to your groin. If you have very delicate skin on the inner thighs, use a lighter touch and fewer brushings.

3. Now, you'll dry brush the hands and arms, again one at a time, starting with the palms and back of the hands and moving up both sides of the wrist, forearm, and upper arm. Pay particular attention to the back of the upper arms, which often have rough, dry skin that requires more attention.

4. Next, dry brush your back, from the shoulders down to the waist, one side at a time. Now move to the front of the trunk and, beginning at the groin, gently work upwards to the neck, being very careful of the nipples.

5. Shower or bath as usual.

Tips for better brushing

■ Avoid sensitive areas like the face and neck. Most dry brushes are too rough for fine, sensitive skin.

■ Use a brush designed for the purpose of dry brushing the bikini line to help prevent ingrown hairs. Spa Utopia carries the Merben Bikini Brush—with soft jute bristles that won't cause irritation.

Merben Bikini Brush

 

■ Dry brushing in the shower, with the water turned off, is a good idea to prevent skin cells from landing all over your bathroom! When you're finished, simply shower off.

■ Brush for a total of 3 - 5 minutes.

And for a change of pace...

Don't forget our wonderful Spa Utopia Body Scrub & Polish! This gentle body exfoliator will leave your skin feeling silky smooth and touchable. (So get working on your skin today to be super soft for Valentine's Day!)

The natural pumice in this formula gently sloughs off dead skin cells to reveal fresh new skin underneath, while Moor Mud hydrates and detoxifies, leaving you fresh and moisturized. Hemp Seed Oil in the formulation further protects your skin from dryness, leaving it silky and comfortable.

Spa Utopia Body Scrub & Polish

Spa Utopia introduces Bella Contour

As featured in InStyle magazine

Non-surgical body contouring—also known as body sculpting—has become increasingly popular in recent years. It allows a person to smoothe cellulite, reduce pregnancy fat, enjoy tighter skin and achieve smaller body circumferences, without diet or exercise and without invasive surgical techniques like liposuction.

You can trust Spa Utopia to bring you the very latest treatments to help you reach your ideal body shape. But first, we must be sure that the treatments we offer are both comfortable, safe and effective.

This is why we have been watching the Bella Contour non-invasive cellulite and fat reduction treatment system very closely... and are now making this exciting new service available to you.

Bella Contour offers the ultimate body contouring experience—non-invasive, painless circumference reduction that delivers real, measurable results from the first session!

One thing that none of us can achieve through diet and exercise alone is losing fat inches where we need to. But now this is possible. Safe and painless Bella Contour technology and body contouring allows you to target stubborn fat below the neck, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks and thighs. So women can say goodbye to unsightly muffin tops and men to love handles and excess fat deposits on the pectoral (breast) area, as well as diminish annoying fatty tissue elsewhere on the body. Even better, say thousands of happy Bella Contour customers, is the fact that skin texture is significantly enhanced, and the orange-peel texture of cellulite greatly reduced.

This client achieved a 5cm loss in body circumference
after just five sessions.

So how exactly does this impressive reduction treatment work?

Bella Contour employs three distinct technologies to help you achieve targeted fat loss: resonant ultrasound, interferential (electric field) therapy and vacuum massage. The treatment stimulates fat cells, causing them to release fatty acids which are then removed from the body as part of the natural metabolism. This mimics the natural physiological processes that occur during exercise. The difference is, the Bella Contour targets specific zones, allowing you to choose where you lose inches. The procedure is completely painless and the device FDA and CE approved. Best of all, it has been shown to achieve a reduction in body circumference of at least 4cm in 92 per cent of clients, with recorded losses of up to 16 cm.

The Bella Contour

We at Spa Utopia are so sure you will be thrilled with your results, that we guarantee them. Financing is available through Medicard, on approved credit. You can read more about Bella Contour here (and link to Medicard if you wish).

And...

Be sure to watch for our eBlast the morning of Tuesday, January 17, for our special introductory offer:

Introductory Bella Contour session regular cost $375 (before taxes)

Special pricing $150 (before taxes)

(a savings of 60%).

This offer is only available for a limited time.