Sometimes you just need to be pampered. Everyday life and stress can take a toll on your health, causing you to feel tired, moody, and unproductive. If that sounds like your current scenario, then we strongly suggest that you hop on a plane and get a vacation massage at Selva Terra Island Resort in Panama’s Gulf of Chiriquí. We promise that our massage resort will leave you completely reinvigorated.

Our spa is probably one of the most magical places in all of the resort. In order to get to it, you must cross a hanging bridge, since it’s on its own separate island. A small house is the only thing in this island, giving it a sense of privacy. Glass windows surround it, offering guests panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Other spas might have to put a relaxing soundtrack, but we have the natural sounds of waves and birds singing in the surrounding trees. We offer complete serenity as you get your desired treatment.

You know you are on vacation when the most important decision of the day is which massage you should get.

Here are the vacation massages offered at Selva Terra Island Resort’s spa:

Swedish massage

This is the most common massage. It’s a gentle whole-body massage that provides relaxation and tension relief. Guests will be undressed with a sheet covering parts that won’t be worked on. Feel free to tell your therapist how much pressure you want and if you have a particular area you would like to receive more attention. Deep circular movements are combined with long strokes and kneading to help you relax, stimulating nerve endings and increasing blood flow.

Aromatherapy massage

Swedish massage can also be an aromatherapy massage using essential oil. As you are massaged, you will inhale the smell and absorb it through your skin. This reaches your limbic system, a part of your brain that influences the nervous system, promoting beneficial changes to the body and mind. These massages are good for people with depression, insomnia, anxiety, menstrual pain and other conditions. A wide variety of scents can be chosen depending on what property is desired. Chamomile and lavender are good for calming, while rosemary is energizing and ylang-ylang, rose, and sage are uplifting. If you are feeling congested, then perhaps you can choose tea tree oil, pine or eucalyptus.

Deep tissue massage

If you are an athlete or runner, or if you have a lot of built-up stress or chronic back pain, then a deep tissue massage might be right for you. This type of massage is similar to the Swedish massage, but it uses a lot more pressure, which can be painful. Relaxation is not the goal—only the start is soft in order to warm up the muscles. The therapist will then start going deeper, even using elbows or fists to reach the deep muscle tissue. If you have any injuries, make sure to let your therapist know. It’s common to feel a bit sore after this type of massage, so use ice or heat to help with the treatment.

Therapeutic

Therapeutic massages have many health benefits, including improvement of general health, disease treament, and injury rehabilitation. Your therapist will assess your current condition. Clients will explain in what areas they feel pain, how they experience it, and what caused it. Most people feel pain in their hips, shoulders, or back. This type of massage is designed to treat specific requests; it’s not like other massages that are the same for all.

Hot stone massage

This is a particular type of massage that uses hot stones, which are basalt river rocks. They are smooth from the current and great at retaining heat. Using a special heater, the therapist will heat the stones until they reach between 110 and 130 F. They’ll then place the hot stones on specific parts of the body, which can improve the energetic balance of the mind and body. The stones also relax the muscles, allowing the therapist to put more pressure on areas with problems without causing discomfort. Hot stone massages are recommended for people who suffer from anxiety, back pain, depression, and insomnia.

Back massage

A back massage focuses only on the person’s back. For many people, stress and pain accumulate in the back, which is why they might prefer to focus on just one area. Your therapist will go over the types of massages you can do and ask you how much pressure you want. This massage can realign back muscles, relieve headaches, reduce back pain, improve circulation, and counteract poor posture.

Foot and leg massage

Our feet are one of the areas of our bodies that usually feel sore, which is why a foot and leg massage is so pleasurable. Our body is interconnected, so this type of massage will beneficial for the whole body. Feet have reflex points, which are connected to our eyes, ears, spine, and even our organs! The muscles in your legs might be sore from doing outdoor activities such a snorkeling or jungle walks. A massage helps relax the muscles and stimulate blood circulation.

Reflexology

Reflexology is similar to a foot massage, but it’s more elaborate, since it also puts pressure on ears, feet, and hands. These parts of the body are connected to organs and body systems. Ancient Chinese believed that qi, which means “vital energy,” passes through all of us. When we are stressed, our bodies block this qi, causing an imbalance that leads to illness. The Chinese created elaborate maps that tell the therapist where to put pressure. More modern medicine confirmed this belief, finding that the skin and internal organs are connected to the nervous system. Reflexology can reduce pain, stress, and anxiety as well as improve your mood and well-being. Other people claim that it helps treat a wide array of health problems ranging from low fertility to arthritis pain.

Selva Terra Island Resort is the perfect place to plan a wellness vacation massage. We also periodically offer wellness retreats that include yoga on our new deck, which overlooks the ocean on sunrise. If you are also looking to eat healthy or detox, please let us know when you’re booking. Our concierge will send you a questionnaire asking about your alimentary preferences, which we will be happy to accommodate. We look forward to having you relax with us for a few days in paradise.