Massage in Concord

Certified Natural Health Practitioner Victoria Bender, owner of Vscentials, integrates her ancient healing practices and cutting-edge modern technologies into custom treatment plans. In addition to shepherding bodies toward well-being with Swedish, deep-tissue, acupressure, and prenatal massages, she performs reflexology treatments on hands, feet, and ears as the therapeutic scents of essential oils waft through the air. During these reflexology sessions, she draws upon the time-honored idea that reflexes in the extremities can, like the undeniable rhythms of the Macarena, exert influence over the entire body. Otherwise, during more contemporary treatments, she relies on targeted microcurrents that she believes may have the power to rejuvenate sagging faces, alleviate chronic pain, and balance bodily energy flow. To ensure personalized service, she begins each appointment with a consultation to discuss unique physical maladies.

Tucked away in the historic Exchange Hall, Massage Sanctuary's skilled massage therapists use a diverse palette of bodywork techniques, along with a variety of healing arts workshops and classes, to try to improve the health of their clients. Massage Sanctuary director Julie Duffy traveled throughout India for almost two years, studying alternative natural therapies, which she now incorporates into her treatments. Massage therapist Emily DuRussel, meanwhile, has performed massages for Boston Marathon and Pan-Mass Challenge athletes, as well as for cancer patients through her specialized training in oncology massage. Massage Sanctuary also hosts workshops from visiting teachers in Taoist healing, yoga, and other treatments.

Walking through the minimal, dimly lit interiors of Invidia Salon and Spa may feel like walking through a dream. Ultramodern floral wall sconces and chandeliers fashioned from branches illuminate hardwood-floored hallways that split off into dark rooms filled with plush couches. In the central hall, studio lights cast dramatic beams onto swiveling salon chairs positioned in front of floor-to-ceiling mirrors, each aligned in two rows flanking a central stone fireplace.

Here in the multimillion dollar 10,000-square-foot facility, stylists sculpt new ’dos and colorists add hues to locks. Aestheticians smooth skin with customizable facials rich in vitamins and natural extracts, and laser technicians boost collagen with LED light therapy and laser facials.

In private spa rooms, equipped with fireplaces and temperature-controlled beds, therapists imbue a sense of calm with massages and Reiki. In the Vichy shower, clients treated with mud or fruit body wraps recline on a cushioned bed while multiple showerheads work to clean their skin.

Before she became a licensed massage therapist, Connie Dale learned how to reduce tension and ease repetitive injuries at the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy. She uses that education and her experience to mitigate aliments ranging from shin splints and tennis elbow to carpal tunnel syndrome. Connie can also treat frozen shoulder—a condition that hampers mobility and often occurs when a snowman gives you a massage. In addition to reducing headaches, fibromyalgia pain, and tight muscles with Swedish and deep tissue techniques, she also treats children and soothes cancer patients. Connie's also been known to visit hospitals and Special Olympics events to give patients and competitors relaxing chair massages.

Inside Ultrasalon, talented staffers break out Dermalogica, Murad, and Éminence beauty products in the pursuit of fantastic-looking skin. In addition to restorative facials, patrons can spruce up nails with manicures and pedicures and decorate digits with nail art such as colorful stripes or silhouettes of The Addams Family’s Thing.

After graduating from the Elizabeth Grady School of Esthetics, Jenelle Paris went on to become a certified eyelash extensionist as well as a MAC-trained makeup artist. With this experience, Jenelle has been able to establish Beauty Couture by Jenelle, her intimate boutique spa. At her beauty haven, clients lounge amongst vintage European-inspired décor. Jenelle and her team evoke each client's inner beauty through the aid of aesthetic treatments and massage services. Aestheticians reach for the advanced biotechnology of Neocutis skincare products as they perform peels blended from glycolic acid and enzymes. The Neocutis "Processed Skin Cell Proteins (PSP)" mixture of skin nutrients includes cytokines, growth factors, and antioxidants to achieve optimal results. Beauty Couture also specializes in eyelash extensions. A synthetic silk blend is used to create each mink eyelash extension adhered to the eyelid's original lashes while the spa's resident aesthetic nurse specialist reverses signs of aging with Botox, Belotero, Radiesse, and Juvederm injections.