In a society where tension continues to grow and daily stresses are aplenty, it’s no wonder the spa industry is booming. In fact, according to the 2017 International Spa Association (ISPA) Foundation U.S. Spa Industry Study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), spa visits are at an all-time high with more than 184 million visitors in 2016. And massage is among the most popular services requested at spas today. Massage offers stress relief, reduces muscle tension, encourages relaxation, and much more.
“Nowadays, we live a very stressful and busy life, we work a lot, and we run out of time,” says Clara Macchiella Corradini, founder of Bioline Jató. “Massages improve both our wellbeing and psychophysical condition. They are also an effective treatment for reducing face and body aesthetic imperfections and muscle tension, rejuvenating the skin, promoting the release of oxygen and nutrients into tissues, and improving circulation.”
And as people continue to rely more and more on smartphones and other technological devices, the need for massage treatments grow. “In our ever-changing hyperconnected world, massage will become increasingly important and a true wellness solution to a variety of contemporary lifestyle issues—stress, loneliness, insomnia, the way we hold our heads and bodies while looking at a cell phone, sedentary lifestyles,” says Michael Bruggeman, CEO and chief formulation officer at Organic Male OM4. “For example, by holding your head at a 45-degree angle looking at your phone, you are placing a 48-pound strain on your neck and spine. These and other lifestyle issues will be real consumer needs requiring wellness massage solutions.”
The massage medium used during a bodywork service is one of the most important factors to a successful treatment. “A very important aspect of the body massage is related to the fluidity of the movements: when we are able to perform an enveloping massage connecting all the maneuvers together, we guarantee intense relaxation to our client,” says Corradini. What’s more, many of today’s massage mediums do more than just assist the therapist in providing a smooth glide. Many also offer benefits to the skin.
Organic aromatherapy massage oils are also gaining attention today. For example, the new Bon Vital’ Complete, which is a dual-purpose massage cream, combines the features of a lotion to restore, moisturize, and soothe skin. It is formulated with a blend of ingredients that benefit the therapist and the client, such as avocado, jojoba oils, marula, and olive oils, plus arnica and horse chestnut extracts. Says Lynda Solien-Wolfe, vice president of massage and spa at Performance Health, “Marula oil is light in texture, super-fast-absorbing, and packed with nutrients and fatty acids that fight environmental aggressors.” With the recent spa industry boom, it would come as no surprise if more and more massage oils continued to hit the market in the years to come.
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