Massage in North Carolina

Dr. Darcey Walraven Ladner was once told she would never walk again without spinal surgery. After being thrown from a horse, she suffered a herniated disc and decided to visit a chiropractor before agreeing to an invasive procedure. It took months of intense chiropractic care, but she soon recovered her ability to walk without surgery and eventually get back in the saddle. Despite her positive outcome, it wasn't until she witnessed a horse recover from a serious injury through chiropractic care that she realized she wanted to devote herself to this branch of medicine, which helped not only her, but also the animals she loves so much.

Thus it's no surprise that today at Omni Wellness Center, Dr. Walraven Ladner and her team of certified and trained professionals focus on bettering the lives of both humans and animals. For two-legged patients, their services cover everything from spinal adjustments to corrective exercises. And for animals––specifically horses, dogs, and cats––they offer an array of holistic options to treat joints and improve competitive performance.

Aesthetician Lina Yang trained as a medical professional in China before making her way to the United States. After arriving in the States, she studied aesthetics with dermatologist Dr. James Fulton, who went on to codevelop the topical acne treatment Retin-A. Today, Lina—whose numerous credentials include an international certification in Xtreme lash extensions—owns and operates Skin Essence. Stationed in her warmly lit spa, Lina relies on 20 years of experience and a team of skincare professionals to rejuvenate complexions and pamper bodies with a full menu of medical-grade spa treatments. The staff specializes in diamond-peel-microdermabrasion treatments and nonsurgical face-lifts, both of which help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, blemishes, and discoloration; clients may see noticeable improvement in their skin after one visit.

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Jade Aveda is a devoted ambassador of their namesake brand. By using Aveda's naturally derived, eco-conscious skin and hair products, they're able to support their mission to "take care of our guests and our planet, keeping both looking beautiful." In keeping with the Aveda spirit, Jade refers to their services as "experiences," turning even a routine haircut into a chance to unwind by including a scalp massage and other relaxing rituals. As stylists perform cuts, coloring treatments, and complimentary chair spins in the salon, the spa team nourishes skin with brightening facials and rosemary-mint body treatments.

Jade's interest in beautifying the planet and its people runs deeper than what they do at the salon, however. They're also invested in two philanthropic initiatives: the first is an annual fashion show to raise money for the Catawba River Keeper Foundation to protect local watersheds, and the second donates funds to area cancer centers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Given this devotion to both their clients and their community, it's not surprising that Jade was the recipient of an Angie's List award for outstanding service in 2012.

When Angelica Holmes and Kelly Welch—both mothers working to raise their young families—met, they were excited to find someone who shared their parenting experiences. Soon, however, the pals began to realize that motherhood had allowed them to forget to take care of themselves. Eager to rectify this, the pair morphed into business partners and founded Better in Colour Spa as a means of creating a place where busy women would have permission to do something nice for themselves.

Throughout the day, the store’s affable staffers stock shelves with mineral cosmetics from high-quality brands such as Bella Terra. A licensed retailer of Amika and Herstyler haircare products, Better in Colour Spa’s experts help shoppers find potions suitable for their individual tress types. The store’s licensed dental hygienist also helps brighten patients' smiles with in-store teeth-whitening treatments that render teeth pearly white for 12–24 months, unlike most New Year's resolutions.

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A wildly successful alternative to traditional day spas—its more than 300 locations blanket 36 states and half a dozen countries—Planet Beach is a futuristic relaxation station where state-of-the-art machines administer all the spa and tanning services. These friendly automatons sometimes replace familiar treatments, as in the Luminous facial, a light-based service that delivers blemish-busting results similar to those of a conventional facial. But other equipment maps out new spa territory entirely: the Hydro-Derma Fusion chamber moisturizes the whole body with nutrient-rich steam in order to offset the effects of a dry climate or a rear-end collision with a salt truck. Other machines whiten teeth, spray-tan skin, and massage muscles.

Planet Beach operates on a gym-style membership system, meaning that members purchase packages or pay flat monthly rates. As members spend more time at the spa, they get to know the helpful assistants who are always on hand to demonstrate how to use the equipment without activating its ability to cry.

At G'nique's Spa Services, owner, aesthetician, and massage therapist Genique Freeman guides her team with the conviction that total wellness is achieved when each patient feels beautiful, relaxed, and cared for. Freeman's staff makes a point of opening communication lines with each client, welcoming both English and Spanish speakers and discovering their patients' treatment preferences and favorite Kevin Bacon films via a simple online health-history form. Organic and wild-harvested ingredients from product lines such as De La Terre ease health concerns, and skin-purifying treatments are frequently paired with massages to heighten the therapeutic effects of both. Calm lighting and soft music welcome clients to leave their workplace stresses at the door, and a no-walk-in policy ensures patient comfort by safeguarding against overcrowding or a sudden influx of encyclopedia salesmen. Also supporting the spa's philosophy that physical and psychological health go hand in hand, G'nique's encourages veterans and their families to take respite in pampering by offering military discounts on specialty services, such as massages and facials.