Massage in Whitehall Township

Ursula's About PHace’s sugaring shaman, Elina Safin, combines an all-natural formula with expert training, efficiently ousting unwanted hair. Unlike the uncomfortable temperature of wax, the sugar-and-lemon-juice concoction gently warms to body heat, sticking to superfluous strands without disturbing the surrounding tissue to calm skin and sate its cravings for crème brûlée. The botanical-boosted sugar paste swiftly removes fuzz from the roots in the direction of growth for a more comfortable hair-removal treatment than waxing. Women can pare down hair on the lip and chin or banish sideburns ($25+), and men can smooth out backs, chests, and shoulders ($45+). After treatment, bristle-busted zones remain sleek and hair-free for up to six weeks.

With more than 30 licensed massage therapists and four area locations, Healing Hands Massage is on call seven days a week to bring relief to gridlocked muscles. Swedish-style therapeutic massages calm tense muscles and overworked minds with light-to-firm pressure and various kneading techniques. Deep pressure massages assuage tight muscles that require extra convincing, and pregnancy massages provide relief to expecting mothers whose joints ache from the added weight of carrying around future grown-ups. Massage therapists also make house calls for customers who’d rather receive bodywork in the comfort of their homes, and haul their massage chairs to offices or conventions to appease the overworked masses.

The therapists at East-West Therapeutic Massage give massages in the same way that they teach their students: by combining creativity with science. Each therapist wields the classroom know-how to deliver a muscle-melting shiatsu, sports, or lomilomi massage. But to them, it’s more important to remain flexible in their methods, responding to the needs of the client rather than rigidly adhering to textbook diagrams. To this end, one of the primary tenants of East-West is listening to the client. Though guests can choose from a menu of massage modalities, such as Hawaiian and craniosacral massage, they can also start sessions with a description of their discomfort or desires, such as reducing stress or eliminating their fear of tripwire. From these descriptions, the therapist crafts a tailored set of motions and strokes, paying close attention to the body as the massage guides clients toward relief.

After being brought up in a salon family, LaSpina owner Joe LaSpina left the nest to run his own salon, HairWorks, which eventually branched into three locations. LaSpina's aesthetic skills grew leaps and bounds after a decade at HairWorks, leading him to work on the set of Newhart and eventually open his namesake salon and spa. Now LaSpina leads a staff of experienced salon and spa professionals who pamper and transform patrons with hair design, color enhancement, facials, and massages.

Inside the salon, haircuts and updos build new styles as color-enhancement and texturing services disguise strands in new shades and shapes. Stylists smother tresses in products from Redken, Paul Mitchell, American Crew, and Joe LaSpina's signature line. LaSpina also comes to the aid of clients dealing with hair loss due to illness, genetics, or blindfolded weed whacking, meticulously working with hairpieces and wigs to create a stylish look.

Weary bodies revitalize under the care of spa professionals, whose nimble fingers knead out tension during massages or slather countenances in SkinCeuticals products during facials. An array of body-waxing and custom spray-tan services keeps skin smooth and toned, and nail techs tend to the smaller details with pampering manicures and pedicures.

Since 1996, Adrienne Mohn has provided pain relief and relaxation as a certified massage therapist. Her specialties range from traditional deep tissue, Swedish, and head-and-face massages, to less pervasive modalities, including French aromatherapy and energy bodywork to balance chakras drawn from Native American and Hawaiian culture. As for the benefits of her treatments, there are many, including decreased anxiety, boosted energy levels, reduced fatigue, and improved joint flexibility.

Massage therapist Melissa Clevenger knows the worth of a good massage. “I know how much I love getting massages,” she says on her website, and she appreciates how important it is “to offer that same gift to others.” In this spirit of healing and generosity, Melissa started her business with mobile chair massages and sofa shiatsu sessions, taking her gift to people wherever they were. Now, Melissa takes clients into her care at her permanent location, where Swedish and deep-tissue table massages pair with soothing music and aromatherapy. Her combination of intuitive strokes and firm pressure helps detoxify muscles and banish tension when clients need it most, even during after-hours weekday or weekend appointments.