Spa and Hotel news from SpaCast.com. Part of Spa Index Media Network.

Rubbed the Wrong Way: When a Massage Goes Wrong

She thought a massage would be soothing. Instead she ended up in pain. Here’s one woman’s account of what can go wrong in a massage—and what to know before you get one.

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Massage and Prayer at Sister Rosalind Gefre Schools and Clinics of Massage

Since beginning her ministry of massage 34 years ago at the YMCA in Fargo, N.D., Sister Rosalind of Sister Rosalind Gefre Schools and Clinics of Massage in Sauk Rapids, has incorporated prayer into healing. "Prayer heals," she said.

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Resort Study: Spas a Necessity, Not a Luxury

For travelers, a spa treatment – the hot stone massage, the seaweed body wrap – is a luxury, a guilty bit of pampering indulged in during a vacation or business trip.  But to any high-end hotel that hopes to stay competitive, the spa is a necessity.    The spa experience is becoming so engrained into American culture that travelers expect a state-of-the-art spa to be part of the hotel experience, like room service or valet parking, industry experts say.

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Newsweek shares the 5 Secrets of Salon Safety

By definition, getting pampered shouldn't be painful. But if you're heading to the salon, you don't want your indulgent treatment to come with anything extra, like an infection. Millions of people visit manicurists each year, and every so often they end up with untrained beauty technicians or inadequately cleaned facilities that leave them with more than they bargained for. And according to a study published in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene, a salon that's poorly maintained can also lead to other problems, like respiratory and neurological conditions from breathing in the fumes of polishes, disinfectants and other chemical-laden products.

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California Nail Salons on Probation

Ten California nail salons have been cited for unsanitary conditions under a 2006 state law that took effect this year.  The foot spas — scattered around the state — were placed on probation by the state Department of Consumer Affairs' Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

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In a crackdown under a new state law, inspectors have issued citations to five Southern California salons, putting them on probation for clipping toenails and soaking feet in unsanitary conditions, officials announced today.  The Southern California salons whose citations were announced today are Laser Nails in Huntington Beach, KC Nails in Anaheim, Top Hair Salon in Buena Park, Super Hair & Nails in Huntington Beach and LyLy Hair and Nails in Huntington Beach.

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From the Department of Consumer Affairs:

Recommendations for FootSpa Safety (PDF) and Appendix (PDF)

Grand Openings: Solis Cambrian Hotel & Spa, Switzerland

Solís Cambrian Hotel & Spa in Adelboden, Switzerland celebrated its grand opening on 20th February, two months after the property was re-launched following a complete refurbishment that has seen the property emerge as an easy-going but luxurious hotel, with a contemporary design focus.

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Mike Ditka Opens Florida Spa Resort

Da Coach" Mike Ditka, former NFL Coach of the 1985 Super Bowl champs, the Chicago Bears, will soon celebrate his latest victory with the official grand opening of the first two Mike Ditka Resorts in Orlando, Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa and Runaway Beach Club Resort.

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More Than A Dozen Eco-Resorts Set to Join Four Seasons in Costa Rica

Howler monkeys roar in rosewood trees outside $2,000-a-night suites with plunge pools at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, where servers shuttle drinks to Rolex-wearing loungers on beaches that a decade ago were cooling-off spots mainly for locals or occasional backpackers.  Guanacaste Province, a remote and once-impoverished region in northwest Costa Rica near the Nicaraguan border, is bidding to be the next luxury hotspot.

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In Australia, churches give way to day spas

South Australians spent more time looking after their health and appearance over the past 20 years but increasingly neglected traditional community pillars.  If the Yellow Pages directory is anything to go by, we have become increasingly hungry for ways to relax and beautify ourselves. But this snapshot also highlights how time-pressured and selfish our lives have become.   The number of day spas, cosmetic clinics, tattoo parlours, naturopaths and masseuses listed in the Yellow Pages guide have soared since 1988, while church organisations, union branches and corner delis and butchers are now a dying breed

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Luxury Adventure Eco Spa & Resort in the Yukon / Canada

On May 28th, 2008 the world’s first 99% organically sustainable high end luxury Adventure Eco Spa & Resort in the mountains of the Yukon Territory of Canada will open its door to the public. Through out the season the resort will have the generous musical support of over 15 Grammy winners. The opening ceremony will include a North American native dance ceremony and blessing of the grounds. It will also include well known artists and performers from around the globe.

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