By Sherri Balefsky Hanson
It’s been designated as a Forbes Five-Star spa for nine consecutive years and was recently named Best Hotel Spa in the U.S. by USA Today. Yet the real testament to Acqualina Spa’s excellence is its ability to adapt and evolve, whether that’s developing new treatments, procuring the latest technologies or addressing pandemic-related safety concerns. The new Targeted Recovery Treatment is a perfect example of the spa’s commitment to innovation.
“When we reopened after our COVID lockdown, many guests were complaining about muscle pain and injuries related to working and exercising at home,” says Acqualina Spa Director Catherine Davalle. “We wanted to create a treatment that specifically addressed these concerns.”
As its name suggests, the Targeted Recovery Treatment helps the body recover by targeting specific muscle groups. The 50-minute version concentrates on the upper or lower back, while the 80-minute version focuses on the entire back, plus the neck or legs. Both versions begin with a brief consultation with your massage therapist to discuss your problem areas, followed by a tissue-warming session using the handheld Hypervolt by Hyperice device. This breakthrough technology, which applies rapid pulses of pressure, is touted by professional athletes for its ability to relieve tension and accelerate muscle warmup and recovery.
Next up is a traditional deep-tissue massage using ESPA’s Fitness Body Oil, which combines essential oils of soothing lavender and warming clove bud. The treatment concludes with a Cryo T-Shock session to help reduce inflammation. This isn’t your typical cold therapy where you submerge into an ice-cold Cryo chamber. Instead, your therapist uses a special wand to apply localized pressure at 2 degrees Celsius, mimicking the sensation of having an ice cube rubbed along the skin. The desired effect is slightly tingly—yet oh-so satisfying.
“The pandemic inspired us to create more machine-oriented treatments,” explains Davalle. “However, nothing can replace the human touch. The Targeted Recovery Treatment uniquely combines the use of technology with traditional hands-on massage techniques. It’s the best of both worlds.”