Optimise energy flow, identify pain points and get yourself healed with these three great massages.
Harmony treatment
Chuan Spa
Best for: A little indulgence to gather together body and soul.
Price: 718RMB (plus 16.6 percent service charge and tax).
What's included: A one-hour oil massage with use of the sauna, steam and relaxation rooms, complete with refreshments.
The treatment: The Harmony massage is a full body massage which starts with a consultation with the therapist about your mood and recent emotional state, based on which they suggest the oil you would benefit best from. Designed to boost different parts of your mental and emotional health, relax the body and calm the mind, the massage is first class, using the therapeutic elements of acupressure. Afterwards, melt into the relaxation room, equipped with tea, fruit, and biscuits. This isn’t the cheapest offer in town, but it is a real treat.
Chuan Spa Third Floor, The Langham Yangtze Boutique Shanghai, 740 Hankou Lu, near Yunnan Lu (2330 2288).
Oil Massage of 12 Meridians
Subconscious Day Spa
Best for: Optimising your energy flow.
Price: 598RMB for 90 minutes, 798RMB for 120 minutes (498RMB for 90 minutes, 638RMB for 120 minutes until Thu Aug 31).
What’s included: 90-120 minutes of a blissful oil massage.
The treatment: Want eco-consciousness and TCM along with your pampering session? The flawlessly designed, sleek Subconscious Day Spa will massage your 12 meridians right back into shape so that your qi can flow smoothly. The new treatment is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine concept of ‘meridians’, or channels that transport energy (qi) throughout the body, each is associated with an organ and grouped in six pairs with corresponding yin and yang organs. Close your eyes and fall into a state of deep relaxation as the therapist works blended essential oils specially matched to your chosen meridian couplet.
Subconscious Day Spa 183 Fumin Lu, near Julu Lu (6415 0636). Multiple locations.
TCM Body Massage
Dragonfly
Best for: Identifying and treating your body’s pain points; long-term healing.
Price: 398RMB.
What’s included: A one-hour body massage.
The treatment: If you’re prone to constant aches and pains, Dragonfly’s one-hour traditional Chinese body massage may be something to add to your weekly schedule. Each massage is customised to match your specific wants and needs, as the masseuse’s expert hands identify your personal pain points and work to relieve sore muscles and deep tissue discomfort. Real talk: the ‘no pain, no gain’ principle applies here – traditional techniques such as kneading, rolling and strongly applied finger pressure can be quite intense; more driven towards helping your body heal naturally than massages that may provide quick but temporary relief.
Dragonfly Nanchang Retreat, Second Floor, 559 Nanchang Lu, near Shaanxi Nan Lu (5456 1318). Multiple locations.