Macau massage: The Parisian Macao spa treatment melds Balinese and Swedish techniques to relieve tension
- Those stuck behind a computer all day will love this targeted, tension-relieving massage, which combines Balinese and Swedish techniques
- The ‘aroma-sence’ treatment at Le Spa’tique is firm and helps to relieve muscle tension
What caught my attention at The Parisian Macao’s Le Spa’tique was its “aroma-sence” treatment, described as an “artful massage” that combines both Balinese and Swedish techniques, and promises to boost blood circulation while releasing muscle tension and fatigue.
Sounds like the perfect antidote for those who spend hours in front of the computer and suffer from neck, shoulder and upper back pain.
Before the brief consultation I already knew what I wanted: a 120-minute massage targeting my tight neck and shoulders, with medium pressure thrown in for good measure.
The treatment began with a half-hour relaxation period, so I took a quick shower before spending the next 20 minutes in the sauna and steam room. The temperature inside the sauna was perfect and, with a few deep breaths, I eased my body into the dry heat.
I had to cut short my experience in the steam room though because there was too much heat and humidity but no steam in the room. And when I felt a tingling burning sensation on my lips, I thought it was time to go.
My therapist was Maple (from Thailand) who was very attentive from beginning to end. She was aware of my sensitive skin so picked an essential oil free of scents. After a standard warm up routine – firm squeezes of the feet, calves and then equally firm kneading on the lower back and upper back – she turned to my neck and shoulder areas as requested.
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Perhaps my muscles were really tight so the pressure felt much stronger than medium but I decided to stick with it; after all, no pain no gain. Maple was very precise with locating the trigger points, from between the shoulder blades, to the upper shoulder all the way up to the base of the skull. The pressure applied throughout was consistent.
All that kneading did feel a tad repetitive so 90 minutes would probably be more ideal for this kind of focused, intense treatment. The session finished with a lighter scalp massage, which came as a welcome relief.
The following day my friends noticed a couple of thumb marks on my lower neck and I did feel sore in that area on both sides. But my shoulders felt more open and relaxed – I immediately stopped rounding my upper back and felt taller after the massage – and I have had fewer tension headaches since the treatment.
Le Spa’tique aroma-sence, 120 minutes for 1,750 patacas; 90 minutes for 1,350 patacas, weekdays at Le Spa’tique, The Parisian Macao.
