Annual Self Care Round Up

Five Unique Self Care Treatments That I Am Loving After a Month Devoted to Self Care

A few years ago, I decided to turn the dark, cold and brutal month of February into my new favorite time of year by focusing on all things self-care for 28 (sometimes 29) days. So here are the five next level and unique self care treatments that improved my mind, body and spirit this year.

CONTRAST THERAPY at SWEATHOUZ in Bryn Mawr, Pa

Contrast therapy combines the sauna with the cold plunge and offers so many health and wellness benefits. You can learn more about contrast therapy here. The individual benefits of both therapies are amplified when done together. And the new spot in Bryn Mawr, SweatHouz, offers contrast therapy in an inviting, private setting that allows you to relax, recover and reset regularly by becoming a member.

I’ve been making visits to SweatHouz part of my regular routine because you need to do these therapies often for the full benefits. At SweatHouz you book the suite for the hour. Each private room is complete with an infrared sauna, a vitamin c shower and a cold plunge set at a temperature that’s perfect for those new to the cold plunge.

The red light bed is available as an add-on treatment to your contrast therapy session. Choose the protocol based on your goals— wellness, skin rejuvenation, performance, acne, pain relief or fat reduction.

I love this new recovery spot on the Main Line because it’s clean, private, and easy to make these wellness therapies part of your life. Use code FITBG10 for 10% off your introductory sessions and mention my code FITBG when you purchase a contrast therapy membership or session pack at SweatHouz, the newest spot on the Main Line for all things wellness and recovery.

BRAZILIAN LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE by MY MIRACLE TOUCH in West Chester, Pa

I have had regular lymphatic drainage massages before and was expecting the Brazilian version to be similar but it was very different, especially when it comes to the results. Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a type of massage that stimulates the lymph system (which lies below the skin) to promote the removal of excess fluid and toxins from the body. Sounds like a typical lymphatic drainage massage, right? But this one uses wider strokes with more pressure. And that’s the real difference with this type of lymphatic drainage massage. Because of the difference in the strokes and the application of more pressure, the massage itself is very soothing and relaxing, unlike the typical lymphatic drainage massage that can sometimes be very light. But the biggest difference is the sliming and contouring results that are visibly apparent after just one Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage Massage session at My Miracle Touch.

Aline Rivera has been a certified massage therapist for 14 years and her specialty is in Brazilian Lymphatic Detox and Body Contouring. Using this type of massage, along with unique breathing techniques and clay masks, Aline delivers a complete body detox and contouring in just 90 or 120 minutes. She charges $200 for a 1.5 hour session of Brazilian Lymphatic Detox and Body Contouring. For $250 and another half an hour, I added the clay mask for cellulite reduction and skin smoothing. Aline also offers a detox and contouring of the face for $100.

I highly recommend my Miracle Touch by Aline for the most jaw dropping results after just one session. Use code FITNESSFINDS for 25% off any treatment or $300 off Aline’s 4-week detox program.

ASHIATSU BAREFOOT MASSAGE by SWARTHMORE WELLNESS in Swarthmore, Pa

You may not yet know about Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage. And that’s exactly why I’m here— to bring you all things fitness and wellness related, including more unconventional and less well known treatments, like this! Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage is a Japanese type of massage where the massage therapist uses their feet (yes, you read that correctly) to administer pressure to get deep into the muscles and provide more effective stretching. This type of massage is often used by athletes and active people who require deeper muscle tension relief.

Swarthmore Wellness is a holistic spa with a few offerings, one of which is owner Sarah Lima’s speciality, Ashiatsu and Ashi-Thai (called “Sports Massage” on the website). Using the bars from the ceiling, Sarah stands on the massage bed and uses her body weight to massage and stretch clients in this 55 minute session. The cost is $115 and includes hot stones, cupping and other tools as needed.

If you’re adventurous and want give this treatment a try, I recommend going to Sarah at Swarthmore Wellness for a different kind of sports massage. Use code FITNESS FINDS for 10% off your first treatment at Swarthmore Wellness.

MAGNESIUM DETOX WRAP by THE WELLNESS REFINERY in Old City, Philadelphia

The Wellness Refinery in Old City isn’t just an adorable cafe and holistic market. This shop is also a sauna spa where members can enjoy sauna sessions before grabbing a matcha. I was there for the Magnesium Detox Wrap. The Wellness Refinery is the only place in the area to offer this effective detoxifying service. Here’s why this treatment is so good: Magnesium can be used to regulate cellular replication, aid digestion and reset the nervous system in order to provide a calming effect, relax muscles, minimize anxiety and improve your mood by increasing dopamine levels. Magnesium can also help to draw out toxins from the body’s lymphatic system.

The Magnesium Detox Wrap targets the lymphatic system by applying magnesium cream to areas that are highly affected by inflammation, including the arms, belly, legs, hips and glutes. In addition to the health benefits, this treatment also offers slimming effects. The osmotic wrap expedites the detoxification process during the 30 minute infrared sauna session.

You can wear a bathing suit or one of the paper ones provided. After the cream is applied, your body is wrapped up snuggly in the osmotic wrap, which is safe in the sauna. And then you just sit in the sauna for 30 minutes, but be prepared to sweat a lot more than usual. The whole treatment takes about 55 minutes and is recommended to do once a month. It’s pretty intense so be sure to drink lots of water, eat light and clean foods, avoid alcohol and sugar, and listen to your body post treatment. The Magnesium Detox Wrap at The Wellness Refinery costs $125 and is a must before an event, a vacation or to reset your body. Use code BROOKE15 for 15% off your Magnesium Detox Wrap through 3/22. And I just heard the sad news that The Wellness Refinery is closing in a few months, so I wouldn’t wait to give this treatment a try.

THAI BODYWORK at BATH HOUSE in Greenville, De

After having a Thai Bodywork session at Bath House last month, I’m rethinking my entire recovery plan because this type of treatment absolutely needs to be part of it.

First off, Bath House in Greenville is the most captivating space. From the colorful lighting, to the abundant greenery to the paint colors even — all of it has such an impact. This spot holds regular group yoga and soundbath sessions, in addition to private Bodywork, facials and reiki. I absolutely love everything about what’s happening in Delaware at Bath House. A visit to Bath House is necessary to experience the unique healing modalities.

For those unfamiliar with Thai Bodywork, it is a treatment that uses a combination of acupressure, compression and stretching. The practitioner uses their hands, elbows, knees and feet to apply pressure to specific points on the body. They may also use their body weight to create more pressure. The session at Bath House also uses somatic movement and other techniques to heal the body's physical, energetic and nervous systems, resulting in an improved mind, body and spirit. Bath House’s Bodyworks specialists also incorporate energetic healing. Benefits of this type of healing work include lowering stress, improving range of motion, relieving pain, boosting energy and stimulating circulation. I find it to be a super effective recovery treatment.

I felt so much lighter, both physically and mentally, when I left Bath House after this treatment. You can book a 60 or 90 minute session of Thai Body Work (for $125 and $150, respectively). Add energy healing for a 90 or 120 minute session (the cost is $185 and $220, respectively). Use code: WELLNESS15 for 15% off your first service at Bath House. And I promise that this place is totally worth the drive!

It’s always hard to bid the month of February goodbye. But at least two of the providers listed in this article already have me on their schedules for another treatment this month. I think you should do the same!