Unusual Spa Treatments. Just How Badly Do You Need to Relax?

In today’s world, stress is pretty much an everyday thing. Stress from money worries, stress from the daily news, stress from family obligations, you name it. Whatever it is it’s usually accompanied by stress. So, this week we thought we’d offer up some unusual spa treatments we’ve come across that you may (or maybe not) want to try to help relieve a bit of life’s daily stress.

A good spa can help you unwind, rejuvenate your senses, and take away the extra tension from your body. There are many regular spa therapies you can try, such as deep tissue massages, hot stone massages and body wraps. However, if you are feeling adventurous or want to try something different, then forget the usual massages and body polishes - how about letting snakes slither down your back for some adrenaline-tinged relaxation?

If you’re a foodie, you could try bathing in broth for a change. If you fancy a snail facial or a bit of sauna whipping, then here’s a list of some ways for you to invigorate your body and soul with some rather unconventional — and in some cases, downright bizarre — spa treatments.

Cryotherapy in Finland:

Scandinavians are known for indulging in (or enduring) a plunge into ice-topped lakes in between sauna visits. But cryotherapy turns the temperature gauge even lower… right down to -110°C (-166 F). Less than three minutes in the chill chamber at Finland’s Haikko Spa is all it takes. And if the promised benefits of pain relief and glowing skin don’t appear, the feeling of sheer exhilaration – that you survived – should suffice.

Cook like an egg in Korea:

Consider yourself a sauna connoisseur? A Korean han-jeung-mak might test your limits. In between steam rooms and a punishing round of exfoliation, break a sweat in the ‘kiln sauna’ – alarmingly similar to an oven in appearance, this intensely heated dome uses burning wood and charcoal to heat the room, the style of which has barely changed in 500 years. Eggs are a popular in-spa snack in Korea; you might spot a bowl of them inside the kiln, slow-cooking (just like you). Public bathhouses (jjimjilbang) around Korea have kiln rooms; try the Dragonhillspa in Seoul.

Bathtubs of Beer in the Czech Republic:

After a hard day of castle-hopping and exploring around Bohemia, what’s left to do but sink into a deep, hot bath…of beer. The vitamins in the beer bath offered at Hotel U Sládka (suspiciously located in the Chodovar Family Brewery…) in the Czech Republic will, we’re told, rejuvenate your pores and relieve tension in your muscles. The treatment reconditions, relaxes, and is said to be good for your complexion and hair. No bubble bath is required – beer foam does the job. And you can pour as much beer as you can drink from a tap on the side of the tub. If you’re not planning to be in Bohemia anytime soon, you might try spilling a can of Budweiser on yourself instead.

Bird Droppings in New Mexico:

Bird poop may not be a desirable thing on the hood or windshield of our car, but at Santa Fe's Ten Thousand Waves spa it’s recommended for the face. The Nightingale Cleansing Mask includes a powder composed of "sanitized droppings" from the tiny wonder-birds. The high nitrogen content is said to draw out bacteria from the skin and break down dead skin cells more gently than acid peels. Used for centuries by geisha in Japan, the facial is "an all-natural way to brighten and smooth the skin." Is your old-fashioned poop-free exfoliator suddenly looking better than usual? We thought so.

Ramen Soup Bath in Japan:

For anyone who's dreamed of bathing in a broth of ramen - all two of you - the wait is over. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Hot Springs Amusement Park and Spa Resort in Hakone, Japan offers just such a treatment. While edible noodles aren’t used due to health regulations, tubs are filled with pork broth, collagen and garlic extracts that improve one's skin and metabolism. Who knew carbs could be so good for you! The spa is also famous for its wine, chocolate, and sake baths.

The Golfers Massage in Arizona:

File this one under "creative things to do with golf balls." (If you have such a file, that is.) Developed in the golf capital of the Southwestern United States, the massage combines stretching and therapeutic techniques before introducing warmed golf balls to the mix. The balls are rolled along the large muscles on either side of the spine and down the neck. As if playing the links isn't relaxing enough, the effect of this treatment at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale is purported to help to diminish tension in these areas - and, we hope, will also improve your swing.

24-Carat Facial in Malibu, California:

As any jewelry fiend knows, the price of gold is always on the rise. And while the price of this treatment might actually add to your stress, the miracle metal - which is known to be a great anti-inflammatory - can be found in a pricey facial treatment. For the UMO 24 Karat Gold Facial, available at Veronica’s Skin and Body Care Center, sheets of 24-karat gold are applied to the skin. According to spa VIPs, the treatment "hydrates, lifts and firms, fights free radicals, lightens and brightens and leaves a golden glow." For $400 a treatment, it better!

A Roll in the Hay in Italy:

No, it’s not what you’re thinking (although this normally is a good way to relieve stress). Since 1903, The Spa at Hotel Heubad, in northern Italy, has offered a Hay Bath treatment. The guest lies down on a sheet and is covered with warm, presoaked hay. More hay is piled on top of the body, up to chin level. The sheet is then wrapped around the body and the guest is lowered onto a waterbed heated to about 107 degrees. Those with allergies are, umm, discouraged from trying this one.

Snakes on…..Your Face?! In Indonesia and beyond:

Looking for a relaxing, romantic Valentine’s surprise for your partner? Well, we’re not sure this would be it. The snake massage is something nightmares are made of. Spas will place snakes on top of you and allow them to move freely around your body, which is said to loosen muscles. It’s also said the adrenaline rush, which is triggered by your fear, is also good for your metabolism. (Insert your own comment here…)

The Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa in Jakarta, Indonesia uses pythons for this unconventional therapy.The combination of the slithering motion and the weight of the serpents is said to be very therapeutic.

Before being placed on you, the snakes are washed and dried and, depending on where you are, their mouths are taped or they are overfed to stop them from trying to take a bite. You can also find this treatment at spas in Egypt, the Philippines, Israel and Brazil. All ensure not to use venomous snakes.

Sauna Whipping in Russia:

The Venik massage is not for the faint-hearted yet it is said that no visit to a Russian bath (banya) is complete without a Venik. The Venik involves a leafy and fragrant bunch of birch or oak twigs being lashed across your back. The Venik acts as a way to increase blood circulation and intensify metabolism. Unfortunately, the lashing is usually the main part and, although this treatment looks more like a scene out of Pulp Fiction than a relaxing time, the Russians swear by it.

Snail Facials in Japan:

It came as news to us, but apparently snail mucus has long been recognized for its health properties. And a salon in Japan has taken the natural treatment to a whole new level. For around $100, The Clinical Salon Ciz Labo in Tokyo offers the Celebrity Escargot Course, or “snail facial,” allowing clients to come face to face with the mollusks – literally - in order to reap benefits from their secretions. Under the supervision of a snail wrangler (aka therapist) snails glide across the face as they please, leaving a slimy trail of antioxidants and proteins in their wake. We'll stick to ours sauteed in garlic, thank you very much.

Viagra for your hair in London:

While it might not necessarily fall into the “relaxing” category, we just couldn’t leave this one out. Hari's Salon, in London, combines Pedigree Aberdeen Angus bull sperm (um, yes, bull sperm!) and Katera root from an Iranian plant to form a protein-packed powerhouse hair treatment that's recommended for anyone who has fine, over-processed or frizzy hair. While the product is said to nourish, protect and revitalize hair, we wouldn't be surprised if it also re-creates Cameron Diaz's memorable hair-raising look in There's Something About Mary.

And here we conclude our journey through the world of strange and unusual spa treatments. We know that relaxation and stress relief come in many forms. Whether you prefer the classic deep tissue massage or are willing to let a few snakes slither around on your face and back, the ultimate goal is to find what works best for you.

So, the next time life’s daily stress gets the better of you, why not consider stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the quirky and the unusual in the pursuit of relaxation? After all, a little laughter and adventure might be just what the doctor ordered to truly unwind and rejuvenate.

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