There are different types of massages available locally. The growth of the hospitality industry has brought on higher quality and demand for complementary services including massages and other relaxation therapies.
Most hotels are opting for Thai-based treatments, with the spas being Thai franchises or incorporating the techniques into the host of treatments. DusitD2, Sankara and Villa Rosa Kempinski have Thai-inspired spas while the Tribe Hotel includes Thai-based treatments on its menu.
The most popular is the Swedish massage, which is a light soothing therapy that involves long smooth strokes on the body using oils or lotions. This is a relaxation therapy as it does not go deep in the tissues.
Spas combine the different massages with aromatherapy, the use of scented natural oils for either relaxing, energising or stress reduction. The oils could have citrus notes, lavender or sweet notes, depending on one’s personal preference.
Other types include reflexology, sports massage, back massage as well as pregnancy massages.
I have always believed that I had soft hands until I met a Thai masseuse last month and when I felt her hands, mine were sandpaper in comparison.
Unfortunately though, my choice of massage did not include much use of her soft palms but more of her elbows and forearms.
During my visit to the Deverana Spa, I am still trying to pronounce it as the Thai do, I decided to be adventurous and pick out of my comfort zone.
On the recommendation of the spa manager, I settled for the Deverana Signature Massage.
Here is the thing about the Signature Massage at this spa, it is not one of those with long gentle strokes that put you to sleep almost instantaneously, no, it is a strong pressure massage. When getting massages, I am usually inclined to the more relaxing and ones with low to medium pressure.
The spa located at DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi is part of a Thai franchise that has spas across the world, complete with Thai masseuse.
A petite Thai lady shows me to the massage room to prepare for my scrub and massage session. According to the spa menu it combines pressures of Thai, Ayurveda and Shiatsu techniques with Swedish aromatherapy.
In the traditional Thai massage, the body is compressed, pulled, stretched and rocked while Shiatsu which means finger pressure with the techniques including massage with fingers, thumbs, feet and palms.
Elbow stroke
As I stare at the bowl of orange and mint under the face cradle gives off soothing citrus aroma, quite relaxing before the first elbow stroke on my lower back. This is followed by another series fluid motions, each with more pressure and then the last.
She expertly isolates each muscle group, working individually by alternating between her elbows, what feels like her forearms, her palms and fingers at various instances.
At several points during the 90 minute massage, she checks if I am okay with the pressure before continuing to the next group of muscles.
The massage is intense and after an hour, my muscles were feeling limber and flowing with the continuous attention.
The final bit of the session is a head and shoulder massage that focuses on the temples and includes an interesting ear pulling technique.
As the masseuse leaves the rooms, she advises that I should leave the oils on for at least three hours before I shower for my skin to soak up all essential nutrients.
The session ends with a cup herbal tea and a jam-filled biscuit in the relaxing lounge filled with rose petals.
Much unlike sensual and soft pressure massages, the aftermath on the muscles will manifest itself the following morning.
The soreness of my body hits me the following morning, as well as the fact that my lower back feels relaxed and somehow, my posture a bit more upright. The soreness reduces throughout the activities of the day, and by the third day it is nothing but a feint memory.
The stronger massage helps relax the tight muscles formed by the continuous sitting at a desk staring at a computer. Due to the nature of most office jobs, one tends to find themselves seated working on the computer for several hours at a go. This causes continuous strain on the back and shoulders causing persistent back and neck pain. The dull ache and tightness of the muscles around the areas cause discomfort.
The medium to high pressure massages are not to slather oil on to the body, but instead isolate the stiff and hardened tissue and ease it back to its supple malleable nature.
For workout buffs, this is the perfect type or massage to rid of the post-exercise trauma on the body.
The effect continues for a few days after with therapists advising that you try and get a massage at least once every two months.
Deverana Spa’s Nairobi branch has developed its own lines of beauty treatment products, like body scrubs and massage oil blends only made from natural ingredients. Other products used at the spa are made from reputable cosmetic brands like Algotherm.
The Thai-inspired spa chain was established in 2000 as part of Dusit International Group with its headquarters in Thailand.
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