Day Spa News: Massage: A Relaxing Method to Relieve Stress and Pain

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You might think of a massage as a luxury found in exotic spas and upscale health clubs. But did you know that massage, when combined with traditional medical treatments, can reduce stress and promote healing in people with certain health conditions?

During a massage, a therapist manipulates your body's soft tissues — your muscles, skin and tendons — using his or her fingertips, hands and fists. Massage can be performed by several types of health care professionals, such as a massage therapist, physical therapist or occupational therapist. Several versions of massage exist, and they're performed in a variety of settings.

Day Spa News: New Secrets for Youthful Skin

Blame sun and smoking for early wrinkles.

What will erase these marks of time?

Every woman dreads the day when she glimpses the first wrinkle in her otherwise smooth skin. But for many, that day is arriving even earlier than they expected. Dermatologists say that the increasing popularity of tanning beds and smoking among young women over the last two decades has spawned a generation with premature wrinkles or worse. "We're seeing many more women with sun damage at earlier ages today," says Dr. Roy Geronemus, a New York dermatologist. And, he adds, "the number of young women with skin cancer is startling.

Day Spa News: Trends: "A Quick Nap"

How did you sleep last night? If you’re like most Americans, the answer is “not well.” According to a 2005 poll by the National Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org), 40% reported getting less than seven hours of sleep a night on weekdays.

As Inside Health columnist Inga Hansen points out this month, sleep deprivation affects all age groups and areas of health and wellness:

Another recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that 80% of U.S. teenagers don’t get the generally recommended nine hours of sleep per night; 25% of teenagers regularly fall asleep in class.�