Vancouver Alternative Spa Treatments

Alternative therapies are all the rage now and here’s a list of spa treatments that could help you go the alternative therapy way.

In western culture, alternative therapy is any healing practice "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine. It is often opposed to evidence based medicine and encompasses therapies with an historical or cultural, rather than a scientific, basis. Alternative medicine practices are as diverse in their foundations as in their methodologies. Also today holistic healing centers are springing up across the city and the good news is that many people can afford treatment in these centers because of their affordability. Here’s a list of health treatments in Bangalore that could help you go the alternative therapy way.

The Bach Flower Therapy
The Bach Flower Therapy, though relatively unknown in India, is a much sought-after therapy in the west. Bach flower essences (remedies) form a part of alternative medicine. They comprise a therapeutic system that uses dilutions of flower essences to balance physical and emotional disturbances. Flower essences are energetic imprints of the life force of plants. The remedies contain some flower material in a 50:50 solution of water and brandy. Because the remedies are dilute, they do not have the characteristic scent or taste of the plant.

Who: The founder, Dr Edward Bach, was a bacteriologist and pathologist practising in London in the early 1900s. A personal setback, in the form of a brain tumour, prompted him to research more into homeopathy and, subsequently, into more pure remedies. Though doctors had given him six months to live, he beat the disease and lived and researched for 19 years thereafter, sourcing remedies from flowers. Each of the 38 remedies is directed at a particular emotional state.





Javanese Massage 
In Javanese massage, pushing and stroking techniques predominate, working to ease muscle and joint pain. It relies upon deep thumb pressures pushing, pressing and circling along and around the body's energy meridians to break down tensely knotted muscles and to stimulate the body's lymphatic system into releasing its self regenerative power. The deep thumb pressure is accompanied with simultaneous stroking palm movements, squeezing and pushing against the skin and veins to improve blood circulation.

How: An oil-based massage that originated as an ancient system of healing with a history of over 300 years in Indonesia. Patients with chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, lower back and neck pain, hypertension, depression and anxiety very often find relief through the benefits of massage therapy. There is additional benefit to be obtained from massage therapy because the blood circulation improves and assistance is given to the lymphatic system by helping to eliminate the waste produced by the body. It helps easing of tension, stiffness and pain, makes breathing better and helps to circulate the blood better.









Sound Healing Massage
Healing of the body includes fostering positive attitudes and emotions thus bringing greater joy, love, harmony, inner peace, happiness, enhanced relationships, and much more.  Sound Therapy Massage (STM) is an amazingly simple yet powerful healing modality comprised of a unique composition of long tones based on two Gregorian chant scales, designed to align, balance and harmonize the body, emotions, mind and spirit.

How:The tones stimulate the body's ideal energy patterns, and gently 'massage' (shift and nudge), tuning the vital energy to vibrate in resonance. This stimulates and supports the body's own healing mechanisms and begins a healing process throughout your body.





Japanese Shiatsu Body Therapy 
Japanese Shiatsu Body Therapy (Japanese from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure) is a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan. Shiatsu is an evolving form, and its various styles incorporate (to differing degrees) aspects of Japanese massage traditions, Chinese Medicine practice, and "Western" anatomy and physiology. Shiatsu is a safe and effective preventive medicine that helps balance energy flow and strengthen vital organs.

Who: Tokujiro Namikoshi founded the Japan Shiatsu College in 1940 and systematized a form of shiatsu therapy based on Western anatomy and physiology. He developed a technique of pressing with his thumbs and palms as he tried to nurse his mother who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. In Japan, Shiatsu practitioners are required to be licensed with the ministry of health. They are required to study the discipline for three years at least, or for 2,200 hours, in accredited universities and pass the national exam before obtaining the license to practice.

How: Loose-fitting garments in natural fibre are given to the patient, who is then led to the inner chambers where trained therapists will gauge individual needs and administer the massage. The full-body massage is done with clothes on and no oil. The therapist uses her body and knees to stretch your legs, arms and back. Apt for de-stressing, a Shiatsu massage is recommended for tired, aching bodies, as well as for general rejuvenation. With experienced therapists, the risks are zero and the benefits many.




Ear candling
Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is an alternative medicine practice claimed to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal.

Who: Ear candling is said to have originated in ancient China, India and Egypt. It was used to help unblock sinus, as well as to improve hearing and cure headaches and migraines. The therapist is required to be a trained masseur as well, to help massage the area and spread the warmth of the candle.

How: One end of a cylinder or cone of waxed cloth is lit, and the other placed into the person’s ear. The flame is cut back occasionally with scissors and extinguished between two and four inches from the subject. The person is lying on one side with the treated ear uppermost and the candle vertical. The candle is stuck through a paper plate to protect against any hot wax or ash falling onto the person. Another way to perform ear candling involves the subject lying face up with the ear candle extending out to the side with a 45 degree upward slant. A dish of water is placed next to the person under the ear candle.