While it sometimes feels like we are living in a post-COVID world, new variants continue to arise and many experts seem to agree that COVID is here to stay. Given this, what the spa industry needs to do is make sure it is prepared today and for the future. Proper handwashing and spa sanitation are vital for employees and guests, but they are not a solution. The industry, and perhaps your spa in particular, really must have a larger game plan for keeping yourself, your staff, and your clientele healthy and happy.
One approach that many spas took to ensure the health and safety of their clients was to implement low-touch treatment options and therapies. Generally, low-touch means the treatment involves limited touch (think: mostly a piece of equipment is used for the treatment, which limits the personal interaction between the therapist and guest). How low-touch treatments or therapies are classified can vary based on protocols, where you’re located, and what the client is seeking.
So, what counts as low-touch and do you need to make any changes in your facility? Not that long ago, spas and wellness centers were getting larger and larger and adding way more treatment rooms. Now, you might find your facility can no longer fill or use those extra rooms for a number of reasons, whether it be less demand for traditional massage treatments or the post-pandemic supply chain shortage of qualified employees to provide the services. Either way, your bottom line can be greatly impacted by these industry issues. Here are some suggestions to consider, understanding that they might not all be right for you and your facility:
- Halotherapy: Halotherapy can be done in a salt cave or a treatment room. The Salt Therapy Association (www.salttherapyassociation.org) is a great source for learning more about halotherapy.
- Saunas and Infrared Saunas: These can be easily retrofitted for any underutilized treatment room. Check out Clearlight Wellness (www.infraredsauna.com) and Sunlighten (www.sunlighten.com) to find some great options.
- Light Therapy: The amazing benefits of chromotherapy are not to be denied, so try red light therapy, blue light therapy, or a combination of both from companies like Celluma by BioPhotas (www.celluma.com) and LightStim (www.lightstim.com).
- Sensory Deprivation: Sensory deprivation can be done in an isolation or floating tank inside a private room or cabin. At Floatology (Tempe, AZ), for example, float sessions are available in eight private float rooms, each equipped with a float tank, a changing area, and a shower.
- Meditation Domes: Meditation domes, like those by Somadome (www.somadome.com), are meditation pods that can provide stress relief in exactly 20 minutes—a huge client request.
You can also add tables and other pieces of equipment into your protocols (all meant to be used in a standard treatment room). For example, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort embraced low-touch with new options available for guests, including the BallancerPro lymphatic drainage treatment, Silhouet-Tone Soli-Lite LED photobiomodulation system, and NuCalm stress-relief therapy. Another novel idea is to have a low-touch treatment option available to your guests in their hotel room, such as those from Therabody (www.therabody.com), maker of the Theragun percussive treatment.
In closing, don’t forget while we’re in the “touch” business and many guests will always seek out those types of therapies, there are several low-touch ways to help guests achieve their wellness goals and help grow our industry so that we can be sure it touches everyone in a unique and important way for them.
Since 2010, Allan Share has been the president of the Spa Industry Association (SIA) and an acknowledged leader in the spa industry. He has been a manufacturer, distributor, and consultant in the spa channel for 33 years and currently is the unofficial (and unpaid) mayor of the spa channel. You can reach him at [email protected].