| Life is getting stressed and technology, far from | | | | One of the complaints heard frequently is that |
| helping us relax, has increased work and stress. Those | | | | physicians don't touch their patients any more. Touch |
| with computer work have to sit hunched over a desk | | | | just isn't there. Years ago massage was a big part of |
| all day long but the stress of work has caused other | | | | nursing. There was so much care, so much touch, so |
| tensions of the mind. We once thought that Spa | | | | much goodness conveyed through massage. |
| therapy is becoming a fashion. Those were the days. | | | | Many now believe that massage therapy is absolutely |
| Now Spa has become a necessity and just as the | | | | key in the healing process because it relieves stress, it |
| demand has risen, Spa resorts are increasingly | | | | is obviously foundational in the healing process any |
| becoming better organised, as they say, in mind and | | | | time and anywhere. Perhaps a resort offering "proper" |
| body. The Balinese Spas, for instance are taking the | | | | therapy is just the ticket? |
| wellness experience to the next level by introducing | | | | Chic Spas |
| professional counselling to the menu. It seems spas are | | | | The accommodation is Spas is the epitome of Asian |
| no longer just beauty parlours and fat farms - these | | | | chic, overlooking a steep, deep-green rainforest valley |
| days, they want to sort out your mental health too. | | | | and foaming river. The restaurants serve delicious |
| The concept is very promising as it supported with | | | | food that's also healthy. But the best they offer is the |
| qualified therapists. | | | | emotional-health, sometimes in group-participation |
| Massage Research & Surveys | | | | coaching that can have topics such as "how to break |
| Surveys suggest that one in four Europeans suffers | | | | bad habits and maintain good ones". They hope to |
| from mental-health problems and the UK-based | | | | encourage guests to see how to make constructive |
| adventure travel website is inundated with requests | | | | changes. Sometimes, we tend to ignore how important |
| for spa breaks. "What follows is more interesting", | | | | our emotional health is to our physical welfare. Studies |
| says its CEO Harish Kohli. These requests are | | | | have shown that after operations patients with a |
| accompanied by comments such as "I am getting | | | | positive attitude leave hospital sooner and their scars |
| divorced"; "my job is so stressfull"; "I'm fed up of being | | | | heal more quickly. |
| so fat". | | | | The process works if the counselling is used in |
| Research also indicates that "Stress-related disorders | | | | conjunction with the spa's other specialist services. |
| make up between 80-and-90 percent of the ailments. | | | | These include a nutritionist, an iridologist, an osteopath |
| What they require is someone to listen, someone to | | | | and an Ayurvedic doctor. Get ready for the new era |
| touch them, someone to care. That does not exist in | | | | of yoga and massage. This will now be complemented |
| modern medicine. | | | | with mental massage. |