Today’s medical spa combines the luxurious treatments of a day parlor with the clinical expertise of a cosmetic surgeon. This combination of services results in a center where the entire body can be treated with a dazzling array of choices. The components of body, mind and spirit are interrelated-so a medical spa is a natural way to address each piece of the whole in one place.

Massage: A variety of massage techniques can meet different needs and preferences. Sports massage, hot stone treatments, Swedish technique, or one for general wellbeing can each ease tense muscles; deepen the relaxation response and amp up the body’s natural immune systems.

Pedicures and foot treatments: Care of the feet, including massage, hot towel wraps and pedicures can be the foundation for beauty and health.

Facials and permanent makeup: Facials can provide deep cleansing as well as rejuvenation for the face. Trained aestheticians are often available to apply permanent lip color or eyeliner so that a woman may look beautiful from the first moment that she wakes up in the morning.

Skin care treatments: Pulsed light therapy, dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are all options that can resurface skin in order to allow for a fresh new look. Botox is also available to smooth out wrinkles. Laser treatments and chemical peels are also available to eliminate facial flaws and provide a more youthful appearance.

Body contouring: There are arrays of cosmetic surgical procedures available to transform one’s body. Liposuction can get rid of stubborn lipid deposits. Abdominoplasty can provide the flattened abs that sit-ups just haven’t achieved. Breast lifts and augmentation can provide women with perkiness and lost fullness.

Facial plastic surgery: Problem facial flaws can be addressed with the services of a reputable plastic surgeon. For example, rhinoplasty can bring the nose into harmony with the other facial features; face lifts can tighten up the jowls and cheeks; and eyelid surgery can get rid of that tired look plus alleviate vision loss due to sagging skin in the region.

If one is looking for a way to rejuvenate their body with one or a combination of techniques, a medical spa is a great place to do it. Many choose to treat themselves to some of the luxurious pampering procedures in order to ready themselves for a cosmetic surgical procedure. Nothing bumps up the healing response to surgery like the nurturing self care and deep relaxation methods offered at a spa.

Pregnancy can be an exciting time with many questions as to what is okay and not for the woman and fetus regarding massage. Many differences of opinion and misinformation makes knowing what is okay difficult. Massage is safe during pregnancy as long as the massage therapist has received special training. The changes a women’s body goes through during pregnancy are mind boggling. Understanding these changes and positioning the pregnant client correctly during a massage can make all the difference in safety. The positioning for massage varies with what trimester the women is in.

Beginning week 14 laying face down (prone) is not recommended, even with specialized equipment such as “cut-out” tables or cushions. It is believed that strain to the sacrouterine ligament is likely when lying second and third trimester women prone on the table. This ligament holds the uterus to the spine. The uterus is housing the developing fetus and keeping it safe. It is best not to take any chances with disrupting the uterus and the ligaments that hold it in place.

A second trimester woman can lie on her back for part of the massage with a pillow under her right hip. This elevation of one hip is used until 22 weeks to shift the weight of the uterus and baby off the inferior vena cava. Blood flow to the baby may be reduced if the woman were to lie flat during these weeks.

After 22 weeks a massage should be given only sidelying or semi-reclining. The sidelying position is the best position for massaging a pregnant woman’s back and pelvis. With the client positioned securely on her side, the massage therapist may then safely apply the deep pressure that may be necessary for relieving strain and tension in the posterior muscles of the back with little fear of increasing intrauterine pressure. The sidelying position is very comfortable with pillows supporting the top leg and arm to align the spine and prevent lumbar strain.

The semi-reclining position will be a modified seated position with a stack of pillows behind the pregnant client to maintain a 45 degree angle from her hip to her head. A pillow or bolster under her knees will keep a bend in her knees and take strain off the low back. With this support, uterine weight will not compress the vena cava as it would in the supine position.