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 Natural Awakenings Lancaster-Berks

Massage Therapy: Using Modalities from Around the World to Conquer Stress

Apr 29, 2015 11:37PM ● By Sheila Julson

When Gail Lentz, owner of The Spa at Willow Pond, first entered the massage therapy profession 48 years ago, massage types such as hot stone, bamboo, Thai and craniosacral therapy were unheard of in the United States.

Hearing of other modalities more advanced than what was being offered here, Lentz ventured to Bali, Turkey, Canada and several Eastern European countries to seek out treatments she could incorporate for her spa clients. Today, she offers state-of-the-art and traditional techniques to treat a realm of health issues common in today’s fast-paced world.

In addition to Thai massage, craniosacral therapy, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and bamboo—which involves warm bamboo sticks that use less pressure than the human hand—Lentz and her staff offer therapeutic massage, customized for each client.

Lentz says the Alpha Spa Capsule, originally from Sweden, uses aromatherapy, ionized air, vibration and heat to complement other spa services such as detox wraps. Laser acupuncture, from Canada, uses a probe instead of needles, which results in deeper penetration and higher accuracy, Lentz says. The treatment can reduce neck and shoulder pain and headaches. Another high-tech device, the Acuscope, aids the nervous system and relaxes the body.

In today’s toxic world, Lentz believes it is important for people to detox, whether through cleansing, a body wrap, foot detox or lymphatic drainage. Dead Sea clay wraps can remove toxins stored in fat cells; foot detox, lymphatic drainage and organ cleansing treatments are also beneficial.

In this era of heavy computer use, Lentz is seeing more clients with slumped shoulders that roll forward, as well as lower back, shoulder and neck issues. Therapeutic massage therapies that incorporate modalities from around the world, as well as exercises, may help.

Once a month, Lentz treats a certain group of stress-prone people to a free Alpha capsule treatment. Past groups have included veterans, mothers of children with disabilities, police officers and firefighters. In honor of Mother’s Day, mothers will be the featured group for May, followed by fathers in June.

“Everyone is running around so stressed, and most of us feel like we don’t matter,” says Lentz. “We want people to realize their own importance.”

The Spa at Willow Pond is located at 1487 Old Lancaster Pk., in Sinking Spring.  For more information, call 610-507-9004 or 610-406-5733 or visit TheSpaAtWillowPond.com.

Sheila Julson is a Milwaukee-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings magazines throughout the country.