7 Alternative Wellness Spots For Physical And Mental Healing
Self-care is the best form of care.
Kendall Jenner and Hailey Beiber caused quite a stir earlier this year on The Kardashians when the pair had an IV vitamin drip housecall in Miami. Many questioned the validity of this alternative wellness treatment that is meant to improve one’s immunity and combat fatigue while others were in awe of it.
Alternative treatments aren’t a new phenomenon. In fact, some forms of it have existed even before modern medicine and there are many types tackling different ailments. Although IV drip therapy is illegal in Singapore, we’ve found other types of alternative treatments that might be a game changer for you.
Ayurvedic medicine was founded over 3,000 years ago in India. The aim is to improve one’s health through finding balance in every aspect of life from mental to physical wellbeing. This clinic and spa offers a variety of treatments targeting chronic back pain, cellulite, nasal congestion and more. Some treatments such as herbal oil crown pouring help to stimulate the chakras, which help to improve the immune system and mood.
Halotherapy or salt therapy was first introduced during the medieval age where the sick were taken to salt caves until they recovered from their illnesses. Centuries later, scientists discovered that inhaling fine salt particles draws excess moisture in the airways, which thins mucus and clears allergies. As a bonus, halotherapy makes the skin look clearer over time.
Yup, you read that right – healing by floating on water. This form of therapy involves a pod filled with water and 600 kg of dissolved epsom salt, causing anyone to float effortlessly. All distractions are whisked away when the pod closes and without any physical strain on your body, the mind slows down and enters a meditative state. In turn, it helps to rewire the brain and reduce stress.
Ever wondered why athletes take ice baths after training? The cold water shocks the layers of skin, causing the nerve receptors to minimise pain and trigger accelerated healing. Cryotherapy, either localised or for the entire body, uses liquid nitrogen. While it may be daunting to use this chemical, cryotherapy not only reduces inflammation, but it can also decrease the size of pores and stimulate collagen to make the skin plumper.
Can’t stand the cold, no fret – try red light therapy instead. The NovoTHOR light bed uses both red light and a less powerful form of infra-red rays to increase the speed and quality of tissue regeneration. NovoTHOR users claim that it has helped with back and neck pains, fractures and even jet lag.
Hammam is also known as a Turkish bath – a public steam bath that may also offer massages and exfoliation to relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. Reméde Spa’s variant starts with a soft steam and scrub using black soap to cleanse and exfoliate the body. A Rassoul clay mask is then applied on the face, scalp and body to purify the skin. Last but not least, the treatment ends with a scalp and face massage using argan oil.
Don’t underestimate the power of sound. This style of therapy brings your mind to Theta Brain frequency, which triggers physical and psychological calmness. Restorative yoga is a great form of meditation but it is less intense than regular yoga – focusing on supportive positions with the help of blocks.