Alum Rock, CA Spa and Massage

The staff at Beatrice Salon uses the latest in beauty technology, brightening teeth with a laser whitening system, smoothing faces with microdermabrasion, and applying convenient permanent makeup to façades. During facials, aestheticians soothe skin with relaxing aromatherapy, back facial treatments, and microdermabrasions that target fine lines, wrinkles, and creases left after folding oneself into an overhead luggage compartment. Nail technicians pamper hands with manicures and feet with pedicures as clients kick back in cushy chairs. Permanent-makeup services include eyeliner, lip liner, and full brow coloring, and eyelash extensions lengthen lashes semipermanently. Technicians can also complete a new look by wielding the laser-powered BleachBright teeth-whitening system to brighten chompers four to eight shades in 15–20 minutes.

Since the 1800s, people have sought out salt caves for their healing properties. Few of those caves, however, have been equipped with cushioned lounge chairs and flat-screen TVs. At Sea Salt Therapy, patients relax in just amid luxury as they dig their toes into and fill their lungs with safe, naturally salty air. With each breath, patients inhale microparticles that holistically address asthma, seasonal allergies, sinusitis, and other respiratory ailments as well as skin issues. Co-owner Angela Kassai, a severe allergy sufferer herself, was inspired to open the center after doing research on the treatment and learning of wellness success stories from salt rooms in Europe and LA. Children can also benefit from salt therapy; a kid-centric children's room mimics a sandbox with a play set, tunnel, and toys.

Having honed her skills at Healing Arts Institute and a number of upscale spas, massage therapist Martha Escamilla moved back to her native San Jose to open her own practice. The result is Gifted Hands Massage, a relaxation haven tucked inside the yellow house that hosts Century Chiropractic Center.

Inside, Martha relaxes muscles and relieves tension with Swedish, deep-tissue, and pregnancy massage, customizing each session to address each client's particular therapeutic needs. She also works to stimulate healthy energy flow and promote overall wellness through reiki, a healing practice that involves laying on of hands. Her 5- to 30-minute onsite chair massages help relax office workers at their places of business or at the chaise-lounge factory of their choice.

Doctor of Chiropractic Tam Ly acquired his love of chiropractic from his neighborhood practitioner. Dr. Ly was working as a personal trainer at the time, and his interest in movement and musculature harmonized with what he learned during his chiropractic visits. These appointments served as the inspiration for what would become a lifelong pursuit of learning better, more efficient ways to help the body recover from illness and injury.

Today, Dr. Ly employs adjustments and spinal decompression to heal patients at Valley Wellness Health Group. Drawing from his background in personal training, he combines these manual spinal manipulations with therapeutic massages and physical-rehabilitation exercises to promote wellness. No matter what the treatment, Dr. Ly aims to educate his patients, taking the time to explain each procedure in simple language or binary code.

The experienced team at Le Soma Clinique Day Spa specializes in refreshing bodies with European–inspired services and products such as the botanically derived Yon-Ka Paris line. The staff’s credentials include certification in mytonology, a microcurrent treatment designed to tone facial muscles, and the spa’s massage therapist—who is also a personal trainer—uses her knowledge of anatomy and five different modalities to coax tension from backs and limbs. Waxing and spray tans prepare skin for beachcombing as anti-aging facials and seaweed wraps ready clients for high-school reunions held underwater.

The eponymous licensed massage therapist of Aurora's Massage Therapy resolutely commits herself to relieving chronic pains. With each massage, she strives to have clients leave feeling better than they did when they first came in—whether they were covered in aches, knots, or jellyfish. To this end, she performs a variety of massage modalities, ranging from the deep strokes of Swedish massage and the scent-assisted relaxation of the aromatherapy technique to the hot, soothing rocks of hot-stone massage.