Forest Lake, MN Spa and Massage

The team at StoneWater Massage & Skin Care strives to help clients release weeks', months', or even a year’s worth of tension with therapeutic skin and body treatments. Therapists unwind muscles with an array of massage techniques as well as Active Isolated Stretching and a steam sauna. They can also surround clients in a cocoon of warmth with body wraps and brush away sun-parched skin cells with salt glows and sugar scrubs. Each of their spacious treatment rooms features colors and decor related to one of the four elements: air, water, fire, and fresh-laundry smell.

The bodywork experts at Anoka Massage & Pain Therapy believe in the healing power of relaxation and do their best to drive away unhealthy stress with massage therapy and acupuncture. Staffers are trained in a number of Eastern and Western modalities, including shiatsu, tui na, and myofascial release, focusing on pressure points or wadded-up connective tissue. During needling sessions, acupuncturists take aim at tension and a host of other ailments, such as allergies, depression, and ice-cream headaches.

Upon entering The Image Creator Salon & Day Spa, clients are greeted by 17 seasoned stylists, each with at least five years of experience. As they cut and color hair, two certified massage therapists attempt to reduce clients’ anxiety with customized massages. Spa packages combine hair, nail, and body treatments to rejuvenate clients without fairy godmothers. After treatments, visitors can peruse a collection of products from brands such as Matrix Biolage, Crew, and Aveda to maintain their new looks at home.

Debra Johnson of Tiny Apples Massage Therapy soothes tense muscles with modalities such as Swedish, pregnancy, sports, and therapeutic massage. These techniques can ease injured muscles, improve range of motion, and call lazy blood cells to action. During hot-stone massages, Debra uses smooth stones to loosen curmudgeonly knots. She also uses a Japanese technique known as reiki, which targets the body's life force energy through the laying on of hands. She can also enhance these bodywork techniques with aromatherapy and detoxifying foot soaks. The former adds invigorating scents to the session, and the latter expels impurities by putting each sullied foot through a trial by ordeal.

Because spa clients have diverse expectations and desires, Bay Salon & Spa’s personnel begins each service with a professional consultation. This allows stylists to crown male and female clients with just the right choice of hair products from brands such as Moroccanoil and Eufora. To prevent torch-wielding villagers from attacking people who walk around too stiffly, the spa has also founded a massage club, which offers monthly 60- or 90-minute massages at a discounted rate.

Philosophers call your face "the window to your head," although they would never say it to your head-window. Today's Groupon freshens faces after boostering backs with an hour-long customized massage and a 30-minute facial at Mango Bay Spa and Salon for $45 (a $130 value). Mango Bay is a tropical-themed retreat that CityVoters voted one of the best Indy day spas in 2008 and in 2007. You can either spread the bliss over two separate visits, or get your facial and back rub back-to-back.