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Complementary and Alternative Health Care – Massage Therapy

Studying complementary and alternative health care has led us to review some of the practices at leading clinics and hospitals nationwide. One of the most famous is the Mayo Clinic that has a great YouTube Channel with many resources concerning health care and treatments, including complementary and alternative health care like Massage Therapy.

Dr. Brent Bauer, a Mayo Clinic specialist in complementary and alternative medicine discusses Mayo Clinics evidence-based approach to alternative medicine. For more information about the use of alternative medicine at Mayo Clinic, click here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/complementary-alternative-medicine/

Reduce pain, reduce tension and reduce anxiety through routine Massage Therapy. Often recommended to patients for stress management massage therapy is one of our leading treatments at Bella Fontana Spa and we can work with your Medical Doctor, Chiropractor or other health professional to ensure that your treatments meet your needs.

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure techniques. The Mayo Clinic provides the following information about massage:

There are many different types of massage, including these common types:

• Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.
• Deep-tissue massage. This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
• Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
• Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Benefits of massage

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage helpful for:

• Stress relief
• Managing anxiety and depression
• Pain
• Stiffness
• Blood pressure control
• Infant growth
• Sports-related injuries
• Boosting immunity
• Cancer treatment

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist.

We agree with these principles and further believe that a great connection with our staff and the space and feel of our facility helps you achieve many of these benefits. In addition, we schedule staff for availability to our clients and patients six days per week. Our staff make notes about your treatments and the information you provide to us about your health are available to the staff that will be seeing you on any given day. If you have any questions, please consult with our Concierge Desk or the Operations Manager for assistance with our policies, pricing and services.

Massage is more than just rewarding ‘me time’. It is a method for maintaining your health and sense of well-being. Maintaining your range of motion, flexibility and enhancing the effectiveness of your circulatory system are just some of the body benefits, and there are more because massage is also about your mind and emotional well-being as well. Relieve stress, improve posture, encourage relaxation and benefit from improved breathing, lower blood pressure and other measureable benefits from regular, maintenance massage. You deserve it!

We also offer specialized modalities that improve facial tone, relieve headaches, utilize reflexology techniques and more to help you achieve your special goals and peak performance. After all, only when you take care of yourself can you be the lifeline to take care of those your love and help them reach their dreams.

Women Rock! Bras for a Cause! Event October 29, 2011

Women Rock, Inc. has declared they will ‘Leave No Stone Unturned’ and that their mission “is to promote breast cancer awareness, the importance of the early detection of breast cancer, and to provide financial assistance, encouragement, and support to underserved and underpriveleged women in the Texoma are to obtain mammograms.”

 

Tonight, October 29, 2001, was a fabulous event to raise money for this emerging non-profit. Here is one of their stories:

In 93, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 35 years old. I know, what a young age! She was cancer-free for one year. She had to go back to the doctor every 6 months for her check-ups, and the third time we went back the doctor discovered a tumor. She passed away in ’95 at the age of 37. I was only 13. I will say it’s very hard growing up without having your mother around.

My name is Melissa, and I have struggled over the last couple of years with having a mammogram done. I know it’s very important for me to have mammogram screenings once a year because of my mom’s breast cancer at such a young age, but my only problem is being able to pay for it. I called a local hospital to ask some questions about how much it would cost to have the mammogram screening. When she told me the price, I knew I couldn’t afford it. I then started talking to LuAnn, and she told me about a program she started called Women Rock. This program helped me get a mammogram screening done! I was excited to hear about Women Rock! It is a good program to help women be able to afford mammograms. If it wasn’t for Women Rock, I would not have been able to have a mammogram. I believe early detection means everything. I was very pleased with the way I was treated and the help that Women Rock provided. Thank you Women Rock! Melissa Mccommas

Women Rock, Inc. receives requests from women every day like this. Every request is an opportunity to save a life through early detection and treatment. Their “One Image at a Time” fundraising goal is $75,000. This will support funding 500 requests for help.

Here are some images and videos from the fundraising event on October 29, 2011.

We had a great time at the Kidd Key Auditorium Municipal Ballroom right in downtown Sherman, Texas.  some of the Bra Models included:

Mayor Bill Goodson – City of Whitewright, Texas with a Egyptian Beaded bra updated to honky tonk style designed by friends of Women of Visionary Influence (WOVI) modeling to Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.

Robert Hernandez – Primary Medicine of North Texas modeling a Pink Bra designed by the PMNT Office Staff to Pink by Aerosmith.

Javier Nieto – Advanced Cooling and C & N Windows, Siding and Sunrooms modeling a bra designed by Debbie Watt to Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison.

Raymond Lashley of Williams/Women Rock Racing modeling the WOVI Car Bra to Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyonce.

Brad LaRock of DOCFM 107.3 modeling the Fairy Bra by Dianne Lehde to Legs by ZZ Top.

If you are interested in supporting Women Rock, send your contribution to 1607 Linda Lane, Sherman, TX 75090 or contact us at Bella Fontana Spa and we will help you contact LuAnn Daniel, Director of Women Rock.

 

Find more on our YouTube Channel!

More About our SpaDiva Club

Individual and Business Club Members enjoy special savings and added value at Bella Fontana Spa!

Who deserves to be a SpaDiva?

You do!  Introducing the SpaDiva Club.  Join for one year and for only $99 per month, SpaDiva Guests receive a Swedish Massage and a Signature Facial.  We create even more value for our SpaDiva Club because all salon and spa services are 50% off and medical spa services are 20% off.  There is no better deal in Texomaland when you love to Spa-aaaah!  More value on gift certificates too at a 5% discount.  Benefits are available immediately!

The IL Divo (Two 45 Minute Swedish Massages) and La Diva (Two 45 Minute Signature Facials) monthly benefit options are also available.  Click Here to review the details.

We create even more value for our SpaDiva Club because all salon and spa services are 50% off and medical spa services are 20% off.  There is no better deal in Texomaland when you love to Spa-aaaah!

Three Month SpaDiva Trial Membership.   Click Here to review the details.

Teachers and Public Servants are Number 1 with Bella Fontana Spa!

We also offer T1 SpaDiva Club Memberships for Teachers, Students and Educators, Military and Law Enforcement employees.  T1 SpaDiva Club Members receive a 10% discount on paid services.  Please call 903.893.6222 to update your account information so you can receive this valuable SpaDiva Club benefit just for you!

Corporate and Business Memberships

If your business is interested in caring for and rewarding your employees, please contact Ruth Nuckols Cox at 903.893.6222 or send an email to spadiva@bellafontanaspa.com for an appointment to review your options.  Review our Standard Corporate Membership online.   Click Here to review the details.

It pays to be a SpaDiva!

We value our Guests!  With deals like these you and your friends will find no better way to have fun than spending some quality time at Bella Fontana Spa.

C’mon, become a SpaDiva today!  Click to start your membership.

Call 903.893.6222 now to become a SpaDiva, if you prefer by phone, or to set up your appointments.

Aging Skin and Chemical Peels and Maintenance Facials

The long, hot summer of 2011 is nearing its end. This is the best time to begin your skin maintenance program with a series of chemical peels to mitigate sun damage from summer sun exposure and regular maintenance facials to hydrate, firm and rejuvenate the younger skin cells below. Sun exposure, acne or just getting older can leave your skin tone uneven, wrinkled, spotted or scarred. Deep exfoliation through chemical peels or chemical peels in conjunction with microdermabrasion over several weeks in a series can improve the tone, texture and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

Chemical peels provide several benefits and are especially preferred to treat acne and aging skin. An acid solution is applied to remove the outer layers of the skin. Chemical peels are is one of the least invasive ways to improve the appearance of your skin and can be performed on areas other than the face like hands, decolletage, etc.  At a Spa like Bella Fontana Spa, we use mild to medium chemical peels and/or chemical peels in conjunction with microdermabrasion to change the tone and texture of the skin with little or now downtime or obvious damage to the skin. Deep chemical peels may require 10 days to 2 weeks of recovery.

If you want your skin to look smoother and younger, consider a chemical peel, which uses a chemical solution to remove the topmost layers, or the stratum cornium, of damaged skin and smooth the texture of your skin.

You can improve:

• Acne or acne scars
• Age and liver spots
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Freckles
• Irregular skin pigmentation
• Rough skin and scaly patches
• Scars
• Sun-damaged skin

A combination of alpha-hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid and maleic acid. All of these chemicals are the mildest choices. For best results you should repeat these treatments weekly for up to six weeks to achieve your desired results.

All chemical peels will carry some risks and uncertainties including developing an infection or scarring from chemical peels. Darker and certain skin types carry a risk of developing a temporary or permanent color change in the skin. Pregnancy, birth control pills or a family history of brownish discoloration on the face may increase the possibility of developing abnormal pigmentation. During a light peel such as those we perform, you may experience some redness, stinging, skin crusting and irritation from a light chemical peel. After repeated treatments these side effects will likely subside. Other risks include hyper pigmentation because your new skin may have too much pigment which will turn to brown blotches in sunlight. Avoid this by always using a high-factor sunscreen. Using an effective sunscreen and an anti-oxidant treatment will help prevent future sun damage as well.

Maintain and improve your skin with regular monthly maintenance facials to tighten, tone and hydrate to keep your rejuvenated skin in optimum condition. Look better and feel better with brighter and tighter skin.

Spa Pedicures that are safe for Diabetics

We use a special product line in our pedicures and manicures that not only inhibits fungal and tuberculoidal infection, but soften the skin and easily reduces calluses and heel cracks.

How Footlogix™ works

Foot Care Mousse with Dermal Integration Technology. Footlogix™ mousse incorporates the latest groundbreaking technology called Dermal Integration Technology™ (DIT). DIT is a patented trans-dermal technology that allows the active ingredients in Footlogix™ to penetrate faster and deeper into the skin than any other product. Footlogix™ mousse closely mimics the skin’s own composition, enabling it to gently penetrate the outer layers of the skin. By doing so, Footlogix™ mousse moisturizes with maximum efficiency. Ensuring hydration is provided to the layers that require it is the secret to healthy, happy, well cared for feet. It supplements, rejuvenates, moisturizes and repairs the epidermis, creating a non-occlusive, long-lasting barrier on the feet, allowing the skin to transpire normally. Footlogix™ mousse is completely and quickly absorbed into the skin. It forms a safe protective barrier just below the skin’s surface leaving no excess or greasy residue. The skin’s overall health improves quickly – visible results are evident within days and continue to build with on-going use. This product is available for your purchase in our Bella Boutique in several treatment levels ranging from dry skin to cracked heels with risk of fungus.

Footlogix™ footbath can be used on the entire body, but is especially useful for cleaning and softening hands and feet. If you have problems with your cuticles, or cracked heels and are at risk of fungal or other infection, you will want to purchase this product for home use. One or two drops in the bath will soften you head to toe. Combine with a scrub for gentle exfoliation for even deeper penetration and follow with the Foot Care Mousse.You can find this product in our Bella Boutique.

Features of Footlogix Foot Soak Concentrate

* Anti-microbial
* Gentle pH balanced cleanser
* Hydrates skin while softening for easier callus reduction
* Sulfate Free
* Safe for diabetics
* Safe for all types of tubs
* Contains no oils – will not leave a residue

Footlogix™ Foot Massage Lotion contains 10% urea. Moisturizes effectively without leaving a greasy residue. Use after the bath and before the appropriate Footlogix™ Mousse. This product is also available in our Bella Boutique.

Footlogix™ ‘Pediceuticals’ are safe for Diabetics – Diabetics can be assured of safety with Footlogix™ products which are oil-free and non-occlusive, allowing the skin to breathe.

This is where Medi meets Pedi™ – Where Science and Technology meet Healthy, Happy, Well Cared for Feet.

Book Our Popular Nail Services Online – Additional charges may apply for special nail services.  Please consult with out Concierge Desk for additional information as employees are not responsible for pricing.

Spa Manicure – Our 30 Minutes Spa Manicure includes cleaning, grooming and massage and polish treatment of your choice.

New Set of Acrylic Nails – Full set of nails!  Includes the preparation and application of acrylic nails over tips. Pink and white and solar nails are provided at an additional cost.

Spa Pedicure – Our all inclusive 45 Minute Pedicure includes soak, scrub, massage, grooming, clay mask or Footlogix™ Foot Care Mousse and your choice of polish treatment.

Bella Signature Spa Package – Our most popular Spa Package includes a Swedish Massage, Signature Facial & a Spa Manicure & Spa Pedicure.

Body and Sole Spa Package – Treat someone to a Swedish Massage and Spa Pedicure.

 

Body Treatments (Body Wrap) at the Spa and for Home

Taking care of your skin beyond your face is one of our specialties! Our treatments include exfoliation and steam infusing ayurvedic and essential oils into your skin resulting in smoother and softer skin all over.

To exfoliate we use either a Dead Sea or evaporated sea salt with a blend of various Ayurvedic oils that might include almond, grapeseed, apricot kernel, safflower, sunflower or avocado oil, Vitamin E and essential oils like lavender, peppermint, rosemary, vanilla, tangerine, cedar sage or eucalyptus. We bring in different scrubs based on the season and their cooling or warming effect. In and of themselves, salt scrubs blended with the Ayurvedic oils help to release toxins and this is intensified by the steam infusion. Our steam bed typically feels warm and comfortable as you lie on your back with your head out of the capsule.

Another exfoliation treatment is blended with Organic Brown Sugar (70%) and with the Ayurvedic Oils contains natural fatty acids that leave you with healthy and visibly radiant skin. The natural alpha-hydroxy-acids found in brown sugar help feed the skin’s surface and create greater elasticity, locks in moisture and firms up the texture of the skin while detoxifying in the steam. The essential oils in these blends are french vanilla latte with french roast coffee and vanilla extract, chocolate peppermint, mango ginger, cranberry, vanilla orange, desert blossom and rest and relax with kava kava, valerian and lavender.

Both the Sugar and Salt Scrubs are available in our Bella Boutique for you to extend your treatment and use at home!

Take your detoxification and exfoliation a little further with our extended body treatments using marine blue algae, volcanic clay, lactic clay or lactic clay with herbs. In these treatments we exfoliate and rinse first using a sugar or salt scrub, then apply the body treatment and then steam for 20 minutes. You will feel great! To read more about these treatments visit our website! Or go directly to our online booking.

Whether you want to detox, enrich or simply exfoliate and smooth, we have the right body treatment for you! Check out packages online to reap additional savings with spa packages!

Our Chiropractor on Staff – Dr. Kristina Stanley on Stress

How many times have you said, “I’m just stressed”? Stress is a physiological response to
changes that occur in our environment. Originally meant as a flight-or-flight mechanism that
was to be short lived to get away from immediate danger, our modern world has become full of
chronic stress which can lead to chronic illness. What are some causes of stress, what are the
effects on the body and most important, what is the remedy?

Many causes of stress could also be an effect such as pain or chronic degenerative disease. Too
much work and no down time with too little sleep are all too common in our modern day life.
These factors often contribute to poor nutrition which is an additional stressor on the human
frame.

Your body reacts to this chronic stress physically with headaches, neck pain, nerve irritation and
muscular contraction. These muscle contractions lead to misalignments that chiropractors call
subluxations. You can decrease your stress by having regular chiropractic adjustments to release
that muscle tension. When the irritation is removed your mind and body will start to heal and you
will feel your body return to a relaxed and balanced state.

Call 903.893.6222 to schedule a consultation, exam and/or adjustment with me.

Dr. Kristina Stanley

You deserve the best!!

Therapeutic Massage Modalities

At Bella Fontana Spa we offer a variety of massage modalities.

One of the most popular is our therapeutic massage especially suited for those that like a Swedish Massage with a therapeutic emphasis. By adding triggerpoint, myofascial or another massage modality to the relaxation of a Swedish Massage an effective treatment can be customized for the guest. This massage will be 70 or 80% Swedish Massage and 20 to 30% mixed modality effectively combining relaxation with the therapeutic work needed most.

We offer a therapeutic massage in 30, 45, 60 and 90 minute sessions. Begin with a consultation with the Licensed Massage Therapist that will allow them to focus on the areas that need attention. Full body massages must be at least 60 minutes in length and please do tell the therapist that you want all the areas of the body addressed. In a 60 minute full body massage, this will only allow 5-7 minutes additional attention to an area of concern, but different modalities may be used during the entire massage to treat any constrictions, knots or tension found.

Some definitions for Trigger point myotherapy and Deep Tissue Massage from MassageTherapy.com:

Trigger point myotherapy is a noninvasive therapeutic modality for the relief and control of myofascial pain and dysfunction. The goal of treatment is the client’s recovery from or a significant reduction in myofascial pain. The treatment goal is achieved through a systematized approach. Treatment consists of trigger point compression, myomassage, passive stretching, and a regime of corrective exercises. Success may be measured subjectively by the level of pain reduction experienced by the client and objectively through increased range of motion, strength, endurance, and other measures of improved function. Trigger point myotherapy relies heavily on client-therapist interaction, including verbal and nonverbal elements.

Techniques that utilize deep-tissue/deep-muscle massage are administered to affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia. These techniques require advanced training and a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology. The muscles must be relaxed in order to effectively perform deep-tissue massage, otherwise tight surface muscles prevent the practitioner from reaching deeper musculature. It helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation and reduces inflammation-related pain caused by arthritis and tendinitis. It is generally integrated with other massage techniques.

These are just some of the techniques that may be used by the massage therapist in performing a Therapeutic Massage. For massages using a specialized technique for the majority of the massage session please book one of those massage session options. You can book online by clicking here.

Thank you! You Make Us Best of Texoma – Best Day Spa and Best Massage!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We are so grateful to our customers, guests, clients and SpaDiva Club members for supporting us in the Herald Democrat’s annual Best of Texoma Awards. Each year that the Herald Democrat has conducted this survey and that we have been open, we have been awarded Best Day Spa. We opened September 17, 2005 and won our first year in 2006 and every year since. The following year in 2007, we began winning Best Massage each year.

There are a lot of questions about the Best of Texoma Awards because of the advertising book that is associated with it. I have had many of those questions myself. What I have asked and found out is that each ballot must have a name and address and that only one ballot per name is accepted. There are thousands of people that turn in a ballot. In 2011, the Herald Democrat put the ballot online, as well as having the ballot published in the paper and the pdf format that can be printed. Businesses, like ours, do offer the ballots to clients to take to vote and/or mail in. We are proud to be associated with the Best of Texoma and the many long lived local businesses that receive the awards.

Thank you so much to those of you that have voted for us! Please continue to support us and the other local businesses in the area. They are a vital part of our economy and add so much to our lives in Texoma.

To find out more about the Best of Texoma and the Herald Democrat, please click here.

What is a Swedish Massage?

Swedish Massage is the most popular form of massage therapy at Spas, Massage Clinics and Resorts.  It is one of the more relaxing massage therapies and involves long stroking movements,  vibration and shaking and techniques such as petrissage, tapotement, and effleurage using the forearm, palm, thumbs and elbows.  Other techniques and deep pressure may be used in our sessions, but are intended to educate our guests and are limited in scope and guests are asked to make their next appointment using a different therapeutic modality.  The main purpose is to increase oxygen flow and release toxins such as lactic acid that accumulates in the muscle tissue. In Sweden this type of massage is known as “classic massage”.

Massage therapy at minimum provides relief from muscular tension or spasm, expresses lymph fluid from tissue, increases circulation to soft tissue and improves the texture and tone of the skin and produces a feeling of relaxation.  Massage Therapy is frequently prescribed for patients concerned about pain management.    Areas to be treated may include scalp, face, neck and/or decollete, arms, legs, upper and lower back in all massage therapy sessions.  Other areas such as hip joints and abdominals are typically addressed in Sports Massage.

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