It's Time to Relax
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| The Resort at Pelican Hill 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast 800.315.8214 :: pelicanhill.com |
Some people reduce stress through exercise. Others unwind in front of mindless television. I prefer massages.
Good old, deep, intense, pain-inducing, muscle-unwinding massages. The more I have to brace myself during a deep tissue massage, the greater the relaxation after the massage. Every now and again, however, I have to look for something different – give my muscles something truly relaxing.
Like the Global Traditions Massage (90 minutes for $270) at The Spa at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, which uses herbs, pressure points, heat, and massage techniques from countries around the world, especially Thailand.
The treatment began with a foot treatment in the Jacuzzi lounge area of the spa. After being escorted onto a chaise lounge chair and placing my feet in a round, copper foot tub filled with warm water infused with orange slices, the therapist proceeded to give my feet and calve area a very light scrub/massage using a crystallized honey scrub. The scrub wasn't harsh at all – it went on like a grainy scrub, then quickly melted away into a honey-like glaze. The foot massage was intended to help me unwind and prepare me for the main course, and it certainly did its job. Any stress or worries were sloughed off, along with the dead skin cells of my lower extremities.
My massage therapist, Greg, began the session with some background on the treatment. It's essentially Thai-based massage using pressure points, compression, percussion, and heated "herbal balls" used to help increase the body's circulation. Greg started on my back with pressure points, he continued by tapping the heated herbal balls on my back to relax the muscles and ended with a medium-pressure sweeping massage using lemongrass oil. He repeated this sequence on my arms, legs and feet. When I turned over, he made his way back up. My quads were particularly tight, so the sequence did them a lot of good. My arms were the most sensitive due to tightness (most likely from spending my life typing at a computer), so the technique was of particular benefit here: I actually felt my muscles open up during the massage.
Overall, the Global Traditions Massage was a medium-pressure, relaxing, unique experience. I recommend it if you are looking for something new to unwind to.
