Massage in Alum Rock

It doesn't take long to trace the pain-relief techniques of Drs. Alen and Letitia Heshmat back to their originator. That's because the two learned much of what they know from Dr. Anthony B. Morovati, who in turn studied with Dr. Janet G. Travell, the mother of myofascial therapy and the White House physician to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. But though the Heshmats have a high regard for Travell's classic methods, they're not shy about adopting new techniques. Along with chiropractic adjustments atop low-impact Thompson treatment tables, the Heshmats offer unusual physiotherapy modalities that use electrical currents to treat sprains, arthritis, and TMJ issues and to reanimate dead fig trees. The clinic's team also features a licensed acupuncturist and a certified massage therapist.

Experts home in on knots with five varieties of massage therapy, as well as acupuncture. During deep-tissue massages, they use a tracing method that stalks pain to its source and triggers relief by pushing into lower-level musculature. Therapists also evict sports- and work-related tension, addressing muscles strains caused by weightlifting, a hard week at the office, or a moderate week at the fireworks factory. Shiatsu and relaxation massages each tackle stress and fatigue with long, soothing strokes, and myofascial therapy and acupressure pinpoint problem areas to realign troublesome tissues and balance energy pathways.

Not many people would consider massage therapy a competitive sport, but the championship spirit burns within Probodywork's state-certified professionals. They regularly compete in massage championships and can list first-place wins on their resumes. However, despite this competitive legacy, the therapists' greatest achievements are still won within Probodywork's treatment rooms, where there are usually no referees blowing whistles. Here, they tackle lower-back pain, stress, and sore muscles with modalities such as sports massage, Swedish massage, and hot stones. To complement these massage treatments, the staff can also help clients develop nutrition plans and treat skin ailments with holistic products.

As an Aveda Lifestyle Salon, So-Pure Salon and Spa performs haircare and spa treatments with the essential oils and natural herbal ingredients found in Aveda products. Stylists accompany restorative conditioning treatments and color services with calming herbal tea and relaxing Aveda mind-body rituals. The team can enhance full-body massages with aromatherapy and deeply hydrating wraps or soften hands and feet with milk baths and sugar scrubs during Caribbean Therapy mani-pedis that, like a day in Carmen Miranda’s fruit hat, manifest the citrusy fragrances of the tropics.

The salon and spa's decor is as botanically based as its products. The earth-toned space boasts natural wood furniture and floors and pops of bright green from potted plants. The walls are a testament to the beauty experts' support of their community, displaying the work of local artists, including those of Pyramid Incorporated—a nonprofit organization dedicated to training adults with intellectual and physical disabilities in the visual and performing arts.