Saginaw, MI Spa and Massage

Lymphologists and lumberjacks concur that a Swedish massage is an invaluable ally in the ongoing quest for total health. Swedish massages employ several styles of expansive and ebbing strokes to relieve tension, mellow the muscles, and restore free-flowing fluency to the toxin-dispersal chutes of the lymphatic system. During effleurage, the hands smoothly circle the skin like epidermal ice skates as a primer for renewed venous and lymphatic circulation. The petrissage and tapotement strokes knead and knock on pressure points in the humanhide, while friction strokes untie the knots in the shoelaces of your muscle fibers. The vibration stroke goes all "cell-phone setting during a ballet" on the back and the limbs to get blood and muscles moving. The lesser-known high-five move at the end of the Swedish massage generates camaraderie and coolness.

Magdalena Cap's training as an aesthetician began more than 33 years ago in Czechoslovakia, where she studied dermatology and cosmetology. Three years later, the licensed aesthetician opened her own spa, where she has continued providing European-style facials and spa services for the ensuing three decades. Magdalena is joined by a loyal staff of licensed cosmetologists, massage therapists, nail technicians, and electrolysis experts, many of whom have worked with her for more than 10 years. The staff undergoes continuing education in an effort to ensure that all of their facials, peels, and rejuvenating treatments take advantage of the most advanced techniques. Like a park ranger building a nest, the team also draws on a wide range of natural ingredients including pumpkin and seaweed.

The licensed massage therapists at Center for the Healing Arts & Massage have reduced the stress of half a million clients in the past 20 years. Their extensive experience earned them nominations for CityVoter's Best Massage in 2011 and 2012, and includes expertise in 10 different massage modalities. They can soothe the senses with an aromatherapy massage, or use a deep-tissue techniques to address chronic pain from stress or wearing sweaters made of steel wool.

The center shares the crew's vast knowledge by training up-and-coming massage and reflexology professionals at an in-house school. They also promote wellness via nutritional supplements, relaxing spa treatments, and behavior-changing hypnotherapy.

Massage therapist Aja Fortenberry trained in the 1,100-hour Baker College program, where she learned to incorporate Swedish massage, active stretching, and deep therapeutic bodywork to ease tension. Now, with more than 10 years of experience, Aja provides clients with her healing touch at Verity Life Massage Therapy. She offers her signature Swedish massages in 60- and 90-minute iterations as well as short chair-massage sessions.

Urvashi MediSpa's Dr. Deepthi Lingam and Dr. Jasmin Ghuznavi assuage cosmetic concerns by offering traditional spa services alongside contemporary med-spa treatments. To successfully smooth and refine skin, the center's technicians arm themselves with such recently declassified technology as a crystal-free microdermabrasion system. Urvashi MediSpa also boasts an arsenal of beautifying products, including fruit- and enzyme-infused facial balms and an antibacterial sugar-waxing formula, which is harvested from rogue beehives and used to uproot unsightly follicles with less discomfort than traditional waxes or resins.

Body beautification can take many forms, and at Ultra Tan, tanning is just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to bronzing skin with spray tans and a UV capsule called The Cyberdome, the friendly staff provide massage and aesthetic services that help customers feel and look good from head to toe. Men and women can stop by for a haircut or a manicure or schedule a body-slimming massage after swallowing a birthday cake python-style. Aestheticians also embellish faces with cosmetics, sharing their makeup tricks with others during lessons.