You don’t even have to shell out cash for a stranger to perform your massage. Research on different forms of self-massage, including foam rolling, have found that giving yourself a good kneading can reduce muscle soreness and improve pain symptoms, even among people with osteoarthritis. In fact, pain reduction—along with depression relief—is one of the benefits that research has most consistently linked to massage, says Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami.

Some of her work has shown that massage may improve immune system function in people with breast cancer and leukemia, along with reducing their physical and emotional pain. Asked how massage could provide so many health perks, Field says several fMRI studies have shown that massage increases blood flow in areas of the brain associated with mood and stress regulation.

“Pressure receptors under the skin, when stimulated, increase vagal activity,” she says, referring to the vagus nerve, a major component of the human nervous system that plays a role in autonomic functions like heart rate, breathing and digestion. Increased activity in the vagus nerve could have—among other benefits—a meditation-like calming effect, which would explain the drop in cortisol and other stress-related symptoms.

When you bump your elbow or knee and experience pain, your first instinct is to rub the pain site, Field says. This plays into something called the “gate theory” of pain, which theorizes that your brain is unable to fully register painful stimuli when related touch receptors are activated. “This is another way pain might be alleviated by massage,” she says.

In terms of improving immune function, she says the hormone and nervous system shifts that take place following massage may protect the immune system’s natural killer cells—a type of white blood cell that fights off viruses and helps prevent tumor growth.

But all of this is controversial. Some review studies have found only weak evidence that massage offers pain-reducing benefits. Also, when it comes to proving a massage is good for you, there’s one big hurdle Field and other researchers have trouble clearing: it’s almost impossible to design a massage study that eliminates the placebo effect. After all, there is no sugar-pill version of a massage that could be compared to a “real” massage in order to tease out the treatment’s non-placebo effects.

But most people only care if—not how—massage works. While the latter is really a question for medical researchers, the existing evidence indicates that, for a range of health conditions, it does. (Some studies on preterm infants have even shown massage can promote vagus activity and markers of growth.)

Recently, a number of spas have sprung up also offering a wide range of health and beauty treatments. A spa is a beauty and health center which utilizes water as the basic ingredient and source of energy, offering rejuvenation of both body and soul. A spa can be pampering, rejuvenating, nurturing, caring, and calming. It also can be so relaxing, both physically and more importantly, spiritually. A spa can help you improve fitness, detoxify, commune with nature, and learn about nutrition. At a spa, you can regain your inner balance and manage stress, enhance feelings of tranquility and well being, and heal.

Indonesia has been famous for its spices for hundreds of years, originally for culinary purposes, but more recently for maintaining health and beauty. These traditions are cultural heritages handed down from one generation to the next. Natural ingredients such as cloves, cinnamon, potent leaf, roots and many others are the main material of Indonesian traditional cosmetics. Mustika Ratu and Sari Ayu are two well-known brands which offer a plethora of traditional herbal recipes. There are approximately 200 spas scattered across Indonesia, the second largest number of spas in any one country after the US. The best-known Indonesian spa treatment is traditional massage or aromatherapy. Indonesian massage usually uses traditional herbal cosmetics, for example: luluran. The purpose of this kind of massage is to lighten the skin and make it look much fresher.

Indonesian spa treatments normally offer also traditional drinks made of herbs and roots, known locally as “jamu”. Most Indonesians believe that jamu is a powerful remedy to alleviate light ailments such as fatigue, headaches, aching bones or a chills.

As the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta also offers the full range of traditional health and beauty treatments. Many hotels offer spas with their own tailor made treatments, for example the Cempaka Hotel in the heart of Central Jakarta, near the trade centers of Senen and Mangga Dua. Gaya Spa and Salon (located on Jalan Wolter Mongisidi No.25), Zanadu, Puri Ayu (owned by noted beautician Martha Tilaar) and Thalia Le Spa are among the more noted of the city’s spas.

Puri Ayu offers facial treatments, manicure, pedicure, and body treatments including herbal medicines. The spa treatments, ingredients and facilities here are arranged to be used according to the stages of life beginning from birth, and all follow traditional Javanese philosophies.

As one of the fastest growing new industries on the market today, the business of wellness is no exception. Medical Spas are the emerging trend and demonstrate a growing desire to rejuvenate one’s youth and sustain a healthy Wellness lifestyle. Much of the popularity of these facilities can be attributed to the “Baby Boomer” generation. As a large percentage of the population grows older, they begin to look for non-traditional ways to hold onto their youth—or at least the feeling of youth. Nevertheless, with the support of trendsetters, celebrities, and sports superstars the youngest generations are beginning to understand that taking care of their bodies today will slow down the aging clock of tomorrow. 

No matter how they are defined “Baby Boomers”- described in U.S. as people born between 1946 and 1964 – and in Australia as those born between 1946 and 1961 the sheer size of this aging demographic is having an outsized impact on the world. Consider this: By 2030, when the first boomers reach 84, more than 20 % of Americans population will be over 65. However, in today modern word we have a lot of possibilities to improve the quality of our life and live a healthier and longer one. According to The Global Wellness Tourism Economy study, wellness-obsessed Baby Boomers, who are retired/retiring, and possess the income to travel, have for years represented the core spa traveling demographic—they are an “explorer” generation looking for new wellness spas, travel destinations and ways to relax while living healthy lives. 

Health and wellness spas also called destination spas, where you can start a healthy lifestyle with exercise, spa cuisine, and relax. This is the best choice if you’re looking to make some healthy changes in your life while keeping up with a professional career. Traditionally, resort spas offer spa treatments “a la carte”. They focus on relaxation, aromatherapy, and wellness. According to Aromatherapy Associates, aromatherapy is moving in a brand new directions, and the power of scent is increasingly being used for its strong therapeutic qualities. The calming orange blossom and lavender scents that often waft through spa lounges and treatments rooms have been part of spa and wellness experiences for years. Taking its roots from India, Egypt, and China – where fragrant plant oils were used for religious, cosmetics and medical purpose. Now, aromatherapy is playing a great role in the treatment of pain, as a mood enhancer and in sleep therapy. Aromatherapy consists of using only natural oils extracted from a wide array of plants. As a spa client, you can now receive customized treatments based on how you feel. This new trend is exciting and personal. Imagine going to a spa and receiving a treatment with essential oils based on your immediate needs and desires? To achieve the client’s intention, the therapist will carefully select essential oils and techniques, music, and offer health recommendations. Wonderful!

In 2017, we’ll see an even greater focus on Medical Spas and beauty treatments. Medical Spas have become a billion dollar a year industry. Because the industry offers clients minimally invasive medical procedures in a relaxed, spa-like environment, instead of having to go to a doctor’s office, Medical Spas have become the choice for many. Trendy and chic spas have been opening up all across the country. The Medical Spa concept is the natural blending of advanced skin care with the body and facial rejuvenation services in the relaxing atmosphere and convenience of a day spa. Before Medical Spas, the only access to these body and facial rejuvenation services was through a doctor’s office. All spas offer spa services like massage, body treatments and facials. Massage, for example, is far more than an indulgence. It has numerous health benefits: calming the central nervous system; improving blood circulation and helping the body get rid of waste products. Regular massages can keep you feeling your best and improve the quality of your life. 
Medical Spas specialize in procedures like laser treatments and very popular injectables. Lasers treatments address a variety of conditions, including unwanted hair (laser hair removal), uneven pigmentation, and broken capillaries or spider veins. Although, most spas offers both high-tech and natural skin treatments like acupuncture rejuvenation.