Decoding a spa menu is all about picking the right kind of massage that your body needs

Whether you’re looking at a massage for fun or for therapy, it’s important to understand what your body needs.We spoke to experts, Dr Issac Mathai, holistic health expert and founder of Soukya International 

Holistic Health Centre, Bengaluru, and Ritu Srivastava, spa manager, Kaya Kalp, ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon, who helped us decode all the jargon and explain the techniques. Here’s all that you need to bear in mind while looking for a massage:

To relax sore muscles

If the soreness is a result of exertion, perhaps a long journey or even working out, try an aromatherapy massage. Dr Mathai suggests you pick from lemongrass, calendula or eucalyptus oil, all of which help release tension in the muscles.

But if you’d rather go the Ayurveda way, Srivastava suggests the Choorna Swedanam, a poultice massage with neem, castor, tamarind and rock salt.These ingredients, in combination, create a warming effect, thereby relaxing sore muscles and improving flexibility.

To rid yourself of stress

“Lemongrass, orange and lime are all calming essential oils,” says Dr Mathai. “Especially lime, which is why it is also used to relieve nausea and motion sickness. It calms the nerves and relaxes the body.”

He suggests a light aromatherapy massage with any of these oils.

Also effective is the full-body Abhyanga massage.

“A light-pressure massage, with flowing strokes, the Abhyanga uses a coconut and sesame-based oil. This treatment relaxes the body, eliminates toxins and improves sleep patterns.”

To ease heavy-duty physical training

If you’re training for a marathon or an intense hike, you need to show your muscles some extra love. “Not only does a massage relax tense muscles, it also aids in building muscle tone,” says Dr Mathai. “A simple massage, which is soft and relaxing, with arnica oil, works extremely well.” A deep-tissue massage is great, too. “It reaches the tension-retaining areas of the muscle tissues of the back, neck, shoulders and legs,” says Srivastava. But opt for it only if you have been getting regular massages.

To get your zzzs

If you’re battling insomnia, opt for a detoxifying treatment. One of the best-known treatments for sleep (and also hormonal) issues is the Shirodhara. “A steady stream of lukewarm ksheerabala herbal oil is poured onto the point where the proverbial third eye is located,” explains Srivastava. “We start with a relaxing head massage, followed by a warm-up body massage, and then, the oil-pouring process begins.”

To protect mental health

“Shirodhara has been effectively used to relieve conditions such as anxiety, depression and memory loss,” says Srivastava. “The pouring of the warm medicinal oil nourishes the brain cells and stimulates the hormonal —hypothalamus and pituitary — glands, located in the brain.” To counter depression, you can also opt for regular massages with jasmine essential oil. “Jasmine stimulates the brain, so helps fight depression,” explains Dr Mathai.

To aid in weight loss

Srivastava recommends Pizhichil, wherein, a warm herbal oil is poured over the body, in a rhythmic movement, to stimulate the digestive system and control the digestive secretions, which helps improve metabolism. If you’re looking to lose weight, post-baby, there is a proper protocol for it, in Ayurveda, says Dr Mathai. “However, this is a therapeutic treatment and must be done under proper guidance. You can start around two weeks post a normal delivery, but you need to wait at least three months, if you’ve had a C-section,” he adds. “This combination of oil and herbal water helps tone the abdominal region, and reduce fat deposits.”

To get away from the world

If you’re going to a spa, Srivastava suggests you pick an uplifting combination of a scrub and a massage, such as pomegranate and lime, that will relax you and that also has beauty benefits. If you’re getting the massage at home, by a therapist, or a traditional maalishwali, Dr Mathai suggests that you avoid too much pressure, and stick to coconut or olive oil.