Massage and Spa treatment in Brisbane

Massage and Spa treatment in Brisbane
Henry Smith
(The University of Queensland)
1.0 Abstract: - The therapeutic and health benefits of spas are vast. The combination of heat,
massage and buoyancy means the physical and mental benefits of relaxing in a spa are enormous. You
can reduce stress and anxiety, ease tired and stiff muscles and enjoy full-body relaxation. Unlike the
Ancient Greeks and Romans, who built baths at mineral and thermal springs, we can easily take
advantage of the powers of hot water in the privacy of our homes. One of the most-often cited reasons
for using a spa is simply relaxation. It’s like soaking in a hot bath, only better. Sitting in warm, bubbling
water is very soothing to the soul, as well as the tight neck and shoulder muscles that can be caused by
stress. For those with sore muscles after exercising, the heat and the high-pressure massage offered by
the jets in a spa is therapeutic. The heat also improves blood flow and helps to relax the tissues around
arthritic joints, which can reduce stiffness and inflammation and enable gentle stretching in a nonweight-bearing
environment. In some cases, people recovering from injury can benefit from using a spa
to reduce pain and muscle spasms and improve mobility. Even if you don’t have a health issue to treat,
stretching is easier and more effective in a spa because the warm water decreases muscle tension.
2.0 Introduction: - Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, including private offices,
hospitals, nursing homes, studios, and sport and fitness facilities. Some also travel to patients’ homes or
workplaces. They usually try to provide calm, soothing environment. Therapists usually ask new patients
about symptoms, medical history, and desired results. They may also perform an evaluation through
touch, to locate painful or tense areas and determine how much pressure to apply. Typically, the patient
lies on a table, either in loose-fitting clothing or undressed (covered with a sheet, except for the area
being massaged). The therapist may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on the skin. Sometimes, people
receive massage therapy while sitting in a chair. A massage session may be fairly brief, but may also last
an hour or even longer.
3.0 Massage Therapy: -
Massage therapy involves a trained therapist manipulating the body's soft tissues to improve health and
wellbeing. This article will help you identify some of the different types of massage available and help
you to choose a massage therapist.
3.0.1 What is massage therapy?

Massage involves rubbing and putting pressure on muscles, connective tissues, tendons and ligaments.
When massage is used to improve someone's health, it is known as massage therapy. It can reduce
stress and anxiety, help with pain, relax the muscles and rehabilitate injuries. Massage is mainly thought
of as a complementary or natural therapy offered by massage clinics or wellness spas, but hospitals are
increasingly offering massage therapy to help people cope with illnesses like cancer, heart disease or
chronic pain.
3.0.2 Types of massage
Many types of massage are available in Australia. Some of the most popular include:
- Pregnancy: This is used to reduce stress, swelling, muscle and joint pain that sometimes appear
during pregnancy. Learn more about pregnancy massage.
- Remedial: This is used to treat damaged or painful muscles, tendons, ligaments or connective
tissues. Massage aids the body's healing and helps to restore function. Learn more about
remedial massage.
- Sports: Developed to help athletes in training, sports massage increases flexibility and prevents
injuries. It is also used after an injury or strain. Learn more about sports massage.
- Swedish: The top layers of muscles are kneaded with soft, long strokes, or the muscles are hit or
tapped. This can relieve muscle tension and may help after an injury. Learn more about Swedish
massage.
- Neuromuscular therapy: Problem areas are manipulated to treat chronic pain, tender muscles,
circulation, trapped nerves, problems with posture or injuries caused by repetitive movements.
- Deep tissue: Slow strokes are used to put pressure on muscles or tendons deep under the skin.
This helps with specific trouble spots such as muscle injuries or back sprains.

- Shiatsu: Pressure is applied with the fingers to specific parts of the body called acupressure
points.
- Reflexology: The therapist uses hands, fingers and thumbs to stimulate certain areas of the feet.
- Hot stone: The therapist places warm stones on certain parts of the body to soothe and relax
muscles.
3.0.3 Benefits of massage
Many people find massage immediately calming and relaxing. Massage reduces levels of cortisol (a
stress inducing hormone) while increasing other hormones (including dopamine and serotonin) which
have a positive effect on wellbeing. Research shows that massage can help with:
Back pain
Headache
Osteoarthritis
Depression and anxiety
Digestive disorders
Strains or soft tissue injuries.
For many healthy people with no chronic conditions, massage is simply enjoyable. Massage is not a
replacement for assessment and care by a doctor. It is also important to let your doctor know if you are
trying massage to reduce the symptoms of a health issue. Your doctor can help you determine which
type of massage may be helpful.
4.0 What does a massage treatment involve?

Before you go for a massage, make sure you drink plenty of water and don't eat too soon before the
massage. Try to give yourself plenty of time to get to the appointment so it's easier for you to relax. The
massage therapist will talk to you about your health history and any problems you are experiencing.
Make sure you tell them about any conditions you have or medicines you are taking. Your therapist will
discuss how they are going to treat you. They will leave the room while you undress - keeping your
underwear on - and you will lie down on the massage table. The therapist will knock before they come
back in. You will be covered with a drape or towel during the massage, and music or aromatherapy may
be used to help you relax. It is important to tell the therapist if you feel uncomfortable at any time
during the massage. A professional massage therapist will never expose your breasts, genitals or other
areas you ask to keep covered.
5.0 Health Benefits of Spa Baths
Home Spas: Relax And Enjoy The Physical And Emotional Benefits Of Regular Spa Baths. Home spas are
recognized as more than just a luxurious way to pass the time. Hot spa baths have been used for
centuries by many different cultures. The Egyptians used thermal baths for therapeutic purposes as
early as 2000 BC. From outdoor spa pools through to hot tubs and indoor tubs, the therapeutic benefits
of warm water can provide many physical health benefits as well as mental health benefits.
Reduced Stress
As the warm water soothes your body it promotes full body relaxation. Placing yourself in the warm spa
water also places you in a place of physical tranquility, allowing you to switch off from all your daily

stressors. Some indoor hot tubs and most outdoor spa pools also have spa jets which can help to
rejuvenate your body.
Sooths Sore Muscles
Whether your muscles are tired and achy from too much activity or tight and stiff from too little
movement, the warm spa water will sooth and soften muscle tissue.
Helps Achy Joints
Many forms of thermal therapy have been shown to help painful or arthritic joints. Regular immersion in
warm home spas can help control the pain associated with arthritic or achy joints. Spa jets can also
provide relief from pain through a physical stimulation similar to that of massage.
Improves Circulation
The warm spa water and the massaging effect of the spa jets help the blood vessels to dilate, allowing
more blood to flow freely through your body. Regular dilation of your blood vessels also reduced the risk
of developing high blood pressure.
Improves Skin Function
The warm spa water combined with the massaging effect of the spa jets helps to open up the pores in
your skin and flush any toxins out that are sitting in the pores. Not only will your skin look better, but
improved skin function also results in improved function of other organs within the body, such as your
digestive tract.
5.0.1 Everyone Can Enjoy Regular Spa Baths!
In summary, the health benefits of taking regular spa baths cannot be ignored. Whether you want to
enjoy the benefits of home spas in the privacy of your own bathroom or you want to share the Jacuzzi
experience over drinks with friends, your body will reap the rewards of taking regular spa baths. If spas

are new to you and you are pregnant or have an existing health condition, be sure to consult with your
local doctor before taking your first spa.
6.0 10 Irresistible Health Benefits of Spa Baths
Not a lot of people need 15 reasons to take spa baths. They’re already pretty enjoyable all on their own
and they can relieve stress and leave us feeling clean and refreshed. Nevertheless, there are even more
reasons to take spa baths and some of them actually affect your health.
1. It can improve your cardiovascular health
According to Bruce Becker, M.D., immersing yourself in water in general up to your neck gives you a
cardiac workout. This is because water puts more pressure on your body which increases your cardiac
volume. In other words, when you’re soaking in water, your heart works harder and that helps it stay
healthy.
2. It can help you sleep
Hot water promotes relaxation which helps you sleep. This is easy enough to explain. When you put
your tense body is a tub of hot water, the heat raises your body temperature and relaxes your muscles.
This makes you tired and relaxed which can help you sleep better. However, you should not attempt to
fall asleep in a spa bath. That’s a terrible idea.
3. It can help alleviate aches and pains
As we just explained, hot water in general helps relax your body. This can also alleviate aches and pains
associated with athletic injuries like muscle pulls or even arthritis. If you’re in pain and it’s not a broken
bone, a good soak will probably help you feel better.
4. It can help lower blood pressure

Mayo Clinic researcher Thomas Allison, M.P.H., PhD did a study that shows that sitting in a spa bath can
lower your blood pressure. This is great for those who are at risk for heart disease or suffer from
hypertension. Of course, if you suffer from those problems you should consult your doctor but the
research of Dr. Allison have showed that hot water like in spa baths increase your heart rate while
lowering your blood pressure which helps reinforce our earlier fact that it can help your cardiovascular
health.
5. It may help diabetes and weight loss
A small study that was conducted has shown that people with diabetes who take regular spa baths can
reduce their blood sugar and blood glucose levels. It also showed that taking a spa bath for 30 minutes,
six days a week lost four pounds in a month without making a single change to their diet or exercise. It’s
not the next big diet but every little bit helps!
6. It can reduce stress
All this relaxing and warmth isn’t just good for you literally, but also good for you figuratively. Sitting in
warm water and feeling the benefits can greatly reduce your stress. Reducing stress can have positive
improvements on your mental and physical health and can promote a feeling of general well being.
7. It can help clean your body
Heat opens up your pores and this can be a good thing when you’re in a clean environment like a spa
bath. By opening the pores, you give the water a chance to work its way in there and clean out the
various dirt and toxins from your skin. The result is a refreshed feeling with potentially clearer skin. The
detoxification process can make you feel better too!
8. It can help reduce headaches
Between the dilated blood vessels, relaxation, and warmth, spa baths can also help reduce headaches.
By dilating the blood vessels, it can decrease pressure in your head which helps get rid of headaches
while general relaxation and warmth continue the process. If you suffer from headaches then some
good spa baths can help you fix it.
9. It can improve your self esteem and confidence
When you feel good, you have good thoughts. Since spa baths can do all these amazing things for you,
the mental benefit is pretty tangible. When you get into a spa bath feeling bad and the bath makes you
feel better, it’ll make you feel better about yourself and when you feel good, you feel more confident. A
good soak before a big event can help you relax, have more confidence in yourself, and help you be
more prepared mentally.
10. It can improve anxiety

Anxiety is a tough problem to tackle for a lot of people but spa baths can help. Thanks to the relaxation,
stress relief, and the heat, spa baths can help you feel less anxiety. Of course, it’ll take more than a spa
bath to get rid of all of it but every little bit helps!
Don’t forget the risks!
Despite the benefits, spa baths aren’t for everyone. Those with heart disease should be especially
cautious because the cardiovascular effects can actually cause complications. Also, hot tubs, hot baths,
etc can make you sweat and that can lead to dehydration if you’re not careful. Since they are so hot, you
also run the risk of heat stroke if you’re sensitive to the heat or if you’re in there for too long. Pregnant
women should be careful as well as the hot water can negatively affect the baby if they’re not careful.
Also, remember folks. If you have any doubts at all about starting a spa bath regimen, you should
consult your doctor. In fact, you should consult your doctor regardless just to be safe! While the benefits
of spa baths are tangible, they aren’t miracle workers. They do better to augment a healthy lifestyle
rather than be the focal point of one. Everyone should enjoy a good soak every now and then (if their
health allows it) because in most cases, it can help you feel better!
7.0 Why You Should Get a Body Treatment at the Spa
Body treatments are essentially a facial for your whole body and leave your skin feeling velvety smooth
and soft. The idea behind a body treatment is that it is just as important to cleanse, exfoliate, and
hydrate the skin on your body as it is the skin of your face. This wellness procedure is good for your body
no matter what time of year, but it can especially be helpful in the winter as it moisturizes skin when it is
typically dry and flaky.
Body Scrubs
The most popular body treatment is a body scrub, sometimes called a body polish, salt glow or sea-salt
scrub. This is an exfoliating treatment that takes place on a massage table covered with a sheet and a
large, thin piece of plastic. You will either be asked to remove all your clothing or may be given
disposable underwear to cover parts of your body. As you lay on your stomach, the massage therapist

ubs a mixture of sea salt, oil, and aromatics (like lemon) into your skin. This exfoliates the skin and
leaves it feeling fresh and soft. Once your whole body is scrubbed, which takes maybe 10 or 15 minutes,
you shower it all off without soap, leaving a nice coating of oil. It's an invigorating treatment, and it's a
good idea to get your scrub before your message if you choose to have both. Various essential oils or
scrub materials are used. You might get an orange blossom/peppermint salt glow or a cucumber salt
glow, or a body scrubs done with coffee grounds, finely ground pecan shells or Napa Valley grape seeds.
Sometimes a hydrating lotion is applied afterward.
Body Masks and Wraps
A body masks and body wrap often takes place after a scrub. After rinsing off the salt and returning to
the treatment table, the aesthetician will slather you with mud, algae, or seaweed and wrap you in a
thermal blanket. This is a "detoxifying" treatment that stimulates your metabolic system, speeding its
ability to carry away waste products. If the product is a cream or lotion, it's a "hydrating" treatment. A
body wrap can also be a wrapping treatment used to treat cellulite. It sometimes has a diuretic effect
that aids in temporary weight reduction.
What to Do After a Body Treatment
Your skin may be a bit tender after a body treatment—especially if it involved a deep body scrub.
However, it is perfectly fine to shower after a body treatment as long as you remember to lather your
body with soap, and then gently rub your washcloth or loofa in circles to remove any dead skin or
leftover lotion.
Benefits of Body Treatments
Body treatments may help prevent wrinkles, decrease cellulite, and slow physical signs of aging, leaving
your skin looking fresher and younger. Seaweed, salt, mud, charcoal, and mineral wraps are also
excellent ingredients to exfoliate your skin and remove toxins. As with other spa services, body
treatments help with your mental health too as they reduce stress, soothe tired muscles, and relax both
your body and mind.
8.0 More than a feeling: quality spa therapy heals.

A warm water massage can be a restorative, therapeutic experience. Since ancient times, people around
the world have recognized the healing properties of hot water. Today, people recognize the benefits of a
spa. The best spa, like those made by Sundance, can promote health and wellness with hydrotherapy.
With a combination of high-performance jets and advanced seat designs, Sundance moves water in new
ways, delivering the following positive spa benefits:
Less stress
Better sleep
Relief from muscle soreness
Fewer symptoms of arthritis and back pain
Spa therapy works. Sit in a Sundance, adjust the jet flow, and feel amazing results; a sense of
calm and comfort; pain relief; rejuvenation and increased energy.
9.0 Spa retreats for people with cancer

Although a spa seems like the perfect place for someone recovering from serious illness, most are very
wary of taking bookings from people who have been treated for cancer. Thankfully handfuls have
changed their approach. What you need, said my friends as I made my first tentative steps back on to
dry land after the stormy seas of cancer treatment, and is a break. They were right: and where more
appropriate than a spa, an undemanding short holiday with health at its centre? A day of pampering and
massages was exactly what the doctor ordered. But there was a catch. I am the veteran of many spa
trips, and on every previous occasion I have breezily ticked a “no” in that tedious questionnaire that
precedes your treatment. Recent operations? None. On medication? No. Any history of cancer, diabetes,
heart disease, epilepsy or allergies? No, no, no, no and no. Only now it’s different. Yes, I have had recent
operations; and yes, I am on medication. And yes,
sadly I do have a history of cancer. And I know that ticking all those boxes in the waiting room. Means
I’ll be unlikely to be ushered through to the treatment room. Because spas, on the whole, are scared of
people like me. Most do not have therapists trained, specifically in how to treat them, and the default
position in most spas is to refuse many treatments – massages especially. The fear is that massage can
push cancer cells round the body: it’s nonsense, and in fact my radiotherapy for breast cancer came
with a course of massages from a specially-trained Macmillan therapy team. As my therapist there said,
massages would hardly be offered as part of an oncology treatment package if there was any danger in
it. Not every spa manager seems to realize this, but the good news is that some spas have started to.
About three years ago Abi Wright, founder of spabreaks.com, got a call from a “distraught” customer,
recently recovered from cancer, who had just been turned away from the reception desk on a spa break
having innocently ticked all those cancer and medication and recent operations boxes on the health
form. “I did some research and realised cancer is a bit of a taboo subject at spas; and I phoned a few
spas up and said, this is insane,” says Wright. “Spas are ideal places for people to go when they’re going
through grueling cancer treatment or recovering from it, and what the spas need to do is wise up on
what’s OK and what’s not OK, and to offer staff who know what they’re talking about rather than some
18-year-old therapist who tells a client, in front of a waiting room full of people, that she couldn’t touch
her with a bargepole because she’s ticked the cancer box.” Several spas around Britain have taken up
Wright’s gauntlet, so off I headed to one of them, Penny hill Park Hotel in Surrey. Its “recovery retreat”
began well –before I even arrived, I received a phone call from one of the therapists who – hurrah! –
knew perfectly well that massage isn’t dangerous for someone in my position, and booked me in
straightaway for a therapeutic massage with aromatherapy oils (exactly the same treatment I enjoyed at
the Macmillan centre). I also opted for a reflexology session, which again I’d found relaxing as part of my
oncology treatment package.
10.0 Hydrotherapy and its Benefits in the Spa

The healing benefits of water have been appreciated for centuries and in ancient times, people used the
curing powers of natural hot springs. Nowadays we all appreciate a hot, scented bubble bath which
eases those niggling aches and pains as we enjoy the health benefits of relaxation. Hydrotherapy simply
means the use of water in a therapeutic way, and includes the use of both warm and cold water. When
you immerse yourself in warm water, you receive a number of health benefits: your body temperature
increases and you perspire. The skin’s pores open, blood vessels are diluted and blood is diverted to the
skin — hence the flushed, rosy-faced look. This sweat process encourages the body’s toxic wastes to be
eliminated via the open pores. Hydrotherapy also uses water massage via water jets directed onto your
body. This type of massage increases blood circulation and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the
soft tissues. The lymphatic system is also activated giving a generous boost to the immune system and
massage on cellulite prone areas helps to break down the fatty deposits and lessen its appearance.
During a hydrotherapy treatment, another health benefit is in the release of endorphins — the body’s
natural hormones which give us a sense of well being. They also block pain and boost the immune
system. And let’s not forget the mental benefits achieved during this therapy including stress relief and a
spring clean of the mind which helps you to sleep well. Hydrotherapy is a well established tool used by
physiotherapists for patients with mobility problems and in rehabilitation. When the patient sits in
hydrotherapy bath, the water buoyancy reduces pressure on the patient’s joints which is of
immeasurable benefit when the patient starts his physiotherapy exercises. The warm water helps ease
stiff joints and relax sore muscles. Repeated exercises help build up strength which is important in injury
recovery. Hydrotherapy is a proven treatment to lessen the pain associated with arthritis through
elimination of the toxins causing the joint inflammation and pain. An alternating therapy for soft tissue
injury, commonly used by athletes, is to use hot water followed by cold water on the problem area: the
heat encourages blood flow to the skin; the cold water sends it back again to the deeper tissues. The
objective here is to improve the circulation in the fine capillaries around the affected area.

Hydrotherapy, in addition to the health benefits above, is a common treatment found in spas. A variety
of equipment can be used for hydrotherapy benefits by spa goers and include:
Hydrotherapy Pools — you lie or sit on an ergonomically molded seat whilst jets of water give a medium
to forceful massage of your body. Some jets will works specifically on your lower back, others will give
you a more diffuse massage, and if you stand under the swan’s neck showers, a deft hit of a button will
release a powerful jet of water over your neck and shoulders to give deep water massage.
Swiss Showers — here you stand in a booth, and between 6 to 12 shower heads, positioned overhead
and at the sides, direct water onto your body. The force of the water jet and the temperature of the
water are varied.
Scotch Hose — an interesting hydrotherapy treatment where you stand back sharp against a wall,
holding onto some handily positioned handles. The spa therapist has a hand held shower head to direct
water onto you from a distance to massage your body, and can target specific areas. Even if you have a
simple spa bath therapy or relax in the hot tub you will benefit from the hydrotherapy effects,
particularly those of detoxification and cleansing encouraged by the hot water. And your muscles will be
wonderfully relaxed and ready for a traditional massage with a spa therapist.
Whilst hydrotherapy provides a number of important health benefits, pregnant ladies should not subject
themselves to strong water jets, nor those with an underlying injury unless under the supervision of a
trained professional. Anyone with an underlying health condition should also consult their doctor first.
So when you’re next in the spa, whether you are seeking relaxation, detoxification or a great massage,
try out the hydrotherapy areas and you will leave feeling de-stressed and relaxed, and able to sleep like
a baby.
11.0 Conclusion: - Massage has the best power to restore the individual spiritually, physically
and mentally. A body massage is a hands-on influence of the skin, muscle and joints to relax muscle
spasm, improve circulation, relieve tension, and hasten elimination of toxins and wastes from the body.
There are some good spas in Brisbane and are really providing the best massage services to the
customers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Health is a state of complete physical,
mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."1 With this in mind, it
would be appropriate to state that anything that positively impacts the physical, mental and social wellbeing
of an individual as well as possibly decreasing incidence of disease would improve health.“Quality
of life has become a pre-eminent goal of rehabilitation and a key outcome measure in ascertaining the
effectiveness of interventions and rehabilitation programs. Indeed, maintaining or enhancing quality of
life is the ultimate goals of all health-care professional interventions.
12.0 References:-
Lucinda | 11 May 2015 | Health and well being Australia | Health benefits of Spa baths | Retrieved 22nd
April 2019
https://www.healthandwellbeingaustralia.com.au/health-benefits-of-spa-baths

June 2017 | Health Direct | Massage Therapy | Retrieved 22nd April 2019
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/massage-therapy
May 2017 | Quality Spa | Gerry goods |Retrieved 22nd April 2019
https://www.gerrysgoods.com
Joanna Moorhead | 23 June 2015 | The Guardian | Spa retreats for people with Cancer | Retrieved 22nd
April 2019
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/jun/23/spa-breaks-people-with-cancer-recovery-retreats
12 Nov 2016 | Medium | Hydrotherapy and its benefits in the Spa | Retrieved 22nd April 2019
https://medium.com/@relievestressrelatedhairloss/hydrotherapy-and-its-benefits-in-the-spafeeb5836ec98
Celestine Chua | Mar 2019 | Life hack | Health Benefit of Spa bath|Retrieved 22nd April 2019
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/12-useful-ways-to-get-out-of-ruts.html
Anita Brown | April 2019 | Trip Savvy | Why you should get a body treatment at the Spa | Retrieved
22nd April 2019
https://www.tripsavvy.com/what-is-a-body-treatment-3085917