Sacramento Spa and Massage

What began as a traveling-spa-party business in 2010 has since grown into a brick-and-mortar studio where three licensed massage therapists ply their trade. In addition to classic massage treatments—such as relaxation, deep-tissue, and hot-stone therapy—the crew has branched out into other services that require greater expertise. During reiki treatments the staff addresses the body's energy flow, and both pediatric and infant massages meet the needs of all American Girl dolls. Super Spa Girl owner Jenny Keffer is also a fertility-massage specialist, which enables her to help women achieve their dream of becoming mothers through a combination of deep abdominal massage, pelvic rocking, reflexology, and aromatherapy.

Munni Sah and Jackie VonDorsten melt away stress by gliding hot stones across backs, dipping hands and feet into a paraffin treatment, and slathering bodies with an essential oil mud wrap. They also aim to alleviate sinus and headache problems during a special facial treatment, and bestow scalp and hair treatments upon heads for strands as silky smooth as Al Green’s voicemail greeting.

The staff at Healing Arts Institute instructs aspiring therapists in body work that aims to eliminate pain from the center of the body. Anatomy and physiology classes, classrooms with full-length mirrors, and more than 1,600 square feet of space help interns learn body mechanics. A vast understanding of the body’s inner workings help them as they move from classroom study to the school’s onsite spa, where clients can schedule massages with them or with the school’s experts. While beginning interns perform gentle Swedish-style massages, more advanced practitioners can quell injuries with their handiwork. Regardless of style, all of Healing Arts Institute’s clients depart from the massage clinic feeling more relaxed than a sloth traveling through a speed trap.

The trio of professionals at Rejuvenations harnesses their individual experiences to pamper clients with spa treatments such as waxing, facial treatments, and massage. Aesthetician Stella Swisher strives to infuse each of her services with a natural approach, whether she's tinting lashes with Austrian vegetable dye or slathering mugs with antioxidants during anti-aging facials. Jenna Florent helps clients unleash tension and muscle aches with deep-tissue and sports massages, and massage therapist Jeff Schmidt incorporates hot stones to help stressed-out clients relax by bringing back memories of the pet rocks they loved when they were children.

At Taki's Salon and Spa, a team of eight designer and master stylists, two manicurists, and one massage therapist relaxes and beautifies bodies with a variety of services. The hair artists accentuate coifs with full or partial coloring, permanent waves, and thermal straightening, whereas the nail experts soften skin with exfoliating rose-scented or chocolate-mint-truffle scrubs. The list of targeted therapeutic massages includes the signature Shellatsu, in which the therapist uses lava seashells to knead away stress from pressure points, loosen muscles, and plug up the body’s naturally occurring volcanoes.