Massage in Concord

Owner Ali Bourgault’s signature deep-tissue and energy-balancing massage is a sample of the services offered at A Healing Vibration. After softening recalcitrant muscles with a blend of deep-tissue and Swedish massage kneads, Ali targets deeper problems, recalibrating bodily energies with a multipart regimen that includes reiki, polarity therapy, a foot soak, and a chakra clearing. Bourgault—a licensed massage therapist who has received certification for holistic massage and deep-tissue therapy from Spa Tech Institute—employs this blend of traditional and unorthodox techniques to help alleviate her clients’ pain, stress, and fatigue. To complement her holistic ways, she also makes dream catchers, jewelry, and skincare products that are crafted from natural and organic ingredients whenever possible.

From their studio in historic downtown Concord, Intuitive Touch's three veteran massage therapists banish back-bound kinks and ease guests into deep relaxation. Getting The Hippo's nod for best massage therapist of 2013, owner Stephanie Waters takes the leads with specialized training in healing arts both traditional and unique. Her arsenal of massage modalities even includes ashiatsu oriental bar therapy, which finds her applying deep pressure to backs with her feet while holding onto ceiling-mounted bars. Other relaxing options include energy-channeling Reiki and reflexology, which uses foot massage to relax other parts of the body by proxy.

Veronica Kerr began competing in beauty pageants and modeling competitions at age 11. She attended modeling school and then pursued a degree in fashion, but for want of a more client-focused career, she took up massage and became a licensed aesthetician. Enter Spa Specialist Beauty Within, a convergence of Veronica's experiences and education. Here, Veronica offers a slew of massage treatments such as Swedish, deep-tissue, and prenatal modalities, the latter a nourishing treatment for expecting mothers. Using all-natural and organic products, she also utilizes her aesthetician's license to conduct facials, mani-pedis, and waxing.

Divine Skin Care's licensed aesthetician, Debby Farley, has 30 years of industry experience, which she calls upon when administering chemical peels, facials, and skincare treatments that combat everything from acne to signs of aging. Facials bolster clients' complexions with nourishing blends of vitamins and hydrating treatments, and microdermabrasion treatments help stimulate collagen production and reduce wrinkles.

The "five" in Five At Peace Massage Studio represents the five senses, each of which is systematically awakened during the spa's sumptuous facial, massage, and body treatments. The sounds of classical music, rhythmic beats, and crashing waves suffuse the treatment rooms and lobby with their calming, mesmeric influence, encouraging clients to begin the relaxation process like a starting gun loaded with aromatherapeutic blanks. A complimentary glass of tea, coffee, or wine fills the nose and taste buds as the liquids energize and relax in preparation for the spa pampering ahead. As an aesthetician performs decadent coffee- or chocolate-infused body treatments, clients breathe in the sweet and smoky aromas and unspool tension while their skin is exfoliated and plumped with moisture. Exotic massages spur achy muscles toward healing, including sports-specific therapies and a Thai herbal compress, during which the massage therapist applies cloth soaked in a warm herbal mixture to the joints to help boost mobility by easing swelling and loosening too-tight connective tissue. Aestheticians turn their healing hands to the face, where rhythmic cleansing can work to purge congested skin during the detoxifying facial, or bring back a youthful glow during treatments such as the caviar-and-pearl facial, a favorite with clients showing signs of aging or turning into a sea lion.

A licensed aesthetician and nail technician, owner Cris-Anne works alongside stylists and a massage therapist to attend to all of clients' indulgence needs. Certified in sugaring techniques, Cris-Anne uproots unwanted strands with an all-natural sugar paste devoid of the harsh chemicals, resins, and bumblebee dander that's found in many waxes. Stylists evict dead ends and dull colors in the salon; in the spa section, aestheticians cleanse and exfoliate faces, and expert kneaders force chronic pains to leave the body.