Aah spa - San Bernardino County Sun

Aah spa
A bevy of treatments for the mind and body
By La Rue Novick, Staff writer
Posted: 05/25/2005 11:53:00 AM PDT
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MUD, RUB & TUB
International Skin & Body Care in Redlands is the only spa in the area to have hydrotherapy treatments. One of the favorites is the Mud, Tub & Rub.
First, the massage therapist rubs warm sea mud all over the client's body, then wraps him or her up in three layers the first layer is a soft sheet, the second is plastic and the third, aluminum foil. This keeps the body nice and warm to receive the benefits of the mud.

Clients lie on an air mattress filled with warm water as they enjoy a New York facial (a light, 30-minute facial) and a shoulder rub. After unwrapping the client, the therapist then washes the mud off using a Kneipp hose (named for the German monk who developed it) before turning on the Vichy shower, which washes away the remaining mud.

Then, clients climb into a hydrotherapy tub that holds 55 gallons of purified, softened water.

Into the water goes salts from the Dead Sea in Israel, which the owner imports herself, and other special salts to soften the muscles.

By osmosis these salts pull impurities out of your body and remineralizes your body primarily with potassium and magnesium, which our bodies are low in,'' Mimi Barre, the founder and owner of International Skin & Body Care, said.

Next go in bubbles and essential oils. While guests lean back and feel the jets in the tub, their foreheads are draped with cold compresses.

After the bath, clients return to the waterbed (now with dry sheets) and receive a one-hour, full-body Swedish massage.

The whole treatment is about two hours.

You can go to Beverly Hills to do this, but you'll pay Beverly Hills prices and you'll have to pay for parking,'' said Barre, a hydrotherapist who has trained extensively in Europe.