The sheer range of exotic and ancient treatments available make choosing an experience in itself
A GLANCE AT most spa treatment menus leave one spoilt for choice. There was a time when all you had to know was the difference between the usual staples of Swedish, shiatsu and aromatherapy. Fast-forward to the heady world of exotic treatments and ancient rituals available now, and spa-goers do not know which way to turn.
Suffering from a knot in the neck? Stressed out? How do you choose the right treatment?
'It starts by being clear about what you want from a massage,' says shiatsu expert and body therapist Lawrence Brown of Body Conscious in Central.
'If you want to simply de-stress, Swedish and aromatherapy massages are ideal, which is one reason they remain popular and are found on most menus. However, if you have definite pains and problem areas, you may want to consider a deeper level of massage like deep tissue, Thai or shiatsu.'
Generally speaking, there are only so many ways to do a massage, he says. The more common techniques, which also form the basis of Swedish massage, are effleurage (long strokes), petrissage (kneading of individual muscles), tapotement (percussive movements), friction (rolling of fingers) and vibration.