Breathing Deep

A list of Bucks & Montgomery County spas guaranteed to rub you the right way.
By Beth D’Addono

Spa services and massage have been favored for relaxation therapy since Cleopatra was beguiling the Nile. Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged. Julius Caesar got one every day for his neuralgia. In Eastern cultures, body and facial massage have been practiced continually since ancient times. A Chinese book from 2,700 B.C., “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine,” recommends “breathing exercises, massage of skin and flesh, and exercises of hands and feet” as the appropriate treatment for complete paralysis, chills, and fever. And Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said “The physician must be experienced in many things but assuredly in rubbing.”

If you’re a lover of day spas and massage therapy, then you already know that body treatments can work wonders on everything from a strained neck to an aching back and tired feet. Massage therapy relieves chronic stress and tension, headaches, tendonitis and promotes flexibility, while cleansing facials and skin treatments slough off dead skin, tighten pores and promote skin’s natural healthy glow.

Bucks and Montgomery counties are home to dozens of day spas offering the latest in body treatments and relaxation therapy to locals and visitors interested in transforming their mind, body and spirit with innovative treatments.

Here is a list of some of the top spas in the region:

David J. Witchell Salon & Spa
Opened by David and Galina Witchell in 1996, this Newtown spa and salon specializes in beauty for both body and mind. Check your cares at the door and indulge in a full menu of body treatments, from the signature invigoration massage featuring full-body exfoliation to Reiki energy work, Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi massage, Thai body work and  treatments featuring heated river stones. A full service salon is also available. David J. Witchell is located at 25 S. State Street in Newtown. For more information, visit www.davidjwitchell.com or call (215) 579-1200.

Escape Away Spa
In a setting both exotic and tranquil, Escape Away Spa incorporates global treatment modalities into stimulating massage, invigorating facials and anti aging therapies. Healing treatments inspired by Russia, Turkey and the Mediterranean are just a few options. Ask about their spa parties, with the spa closed to you and six-10 people for up to five hours of treatments and relaxation. Escape Away Spa is located at 210 E. Street Road in Feasterville. For more information, visit www.escapeawayspa.com or call (215) 364-5160.

Essentials Salon & Spa, Doylestown
A combination of salon and spa this Doylestown Aveda lifestyle store offers Ayurvedic services, body wraps, body scrubs, bridal services, couples massages, make up and cosmetic services including brow and lash tints, facials and  hair service. Or try an amazing hydrotherm massage that cradles your body in warm, water-filled cushions during the treatment. A comfortable spa lounge, six treatment rooms and 13 manicure and pedicure stations makes Essentials a popular spot for girlfriend getaways and bridal parties for up to 12. Spa packages are also available. Essentials Salon & Day Spa is located at 454 North Main Street in Doylestown. For more information, visit www.spaessentials.net or call (215) 489-8800.

The Face & Body Spa
Owner Heather Dempsey-Gade places the emphasis on kindness, compassion and wellness at this oasis of Bucks County tranquility. Select from an array of holistic therapies, including detoxifying ear candling, lymphatic drainage and calming Shirodhara, a classic Ayurvedic treatment in which warm oil is poured in a continuous stream across the forehead. The 70 and 90-minute massage treatments incorporate natural Yonka products or WoodSprite products. Pampering salon services are also provided.  The Face & Body Spa is located at 15 S. Main Street in Yardley. For more information, visit www.fbspa.com or call (215) 369-0699.

Inner Spa
Being beautiful on the inside is the mantra at Inner Spa, a health and wellness emporium that puts the emphasis on alternative healing treatments and detoxification. Treatments include acupuncture, holistic massage, reflexology, ear candling and colonic irrigation. Inner Spa is owned and managed by Sharon Cross, a graduate from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Inner Spa is located at 4 Terry Drive in the Atrium Building, Suite 12, in Newtown. For more information, visit www.innerspa.org or call (215) 968-9000.

Kare Foot Spa & Bodywork
Expect a peaceful and comfortable environment at Kare Foot & Bodywork, where they specialize in massage therapy services, from the relaxing benefits of the Swedish technique, to the therapeutic effects of deep tissue. Additional services include a hot and cold stone massage, hot towel foot reflexology and an herb soak for foot reflexology. Kare Foot Spa & Bodywork is located at 1460 Buck Road in Holland, 1452 E. Village Road in Northampton and 680 W. DeKalb Pike in King of Prussia. For more information, visit www.karefoot.com.

Nurture Spa
The name says it all at this New Hope day spa, where seasonal packages, lux skincare lines and therapeutic TLC combine to bring balance back to your world. Minimalist and mod in design, Nurture offers a wide range of treatments, from couples massage to a revitalizing citrus lavender salt glow scrub.  Inside tip: if your dogs are barking, ask for the Yava Bulu Massage. Inspired by barefoot massage from the islands of Fiji, the name means “foot healthy,” a stress busting treatment that will have your tootsies begging for more. Nurture Spa is located at 415 S. York Road in New Hope. For more information, visit www.nurturespa.com or call (215) 862-7010.

Procerus MedSpa
Procerus is much more than just a day spa. While the Tuscan-inspired New Hope facility offers a menu of relaxation treatments, some utilizing custom aromatherapy oil blends extracted from flowers, fruits, bark and roots, there’s more to the story. The trained staff specializes in non-invasive aesthetic procedures, from laser hair removal and cellulite treatments to chemical peels and Botox injections. Procerus MedSpa is located at 430 Union Square Drive in New Hope. For more information, visit www.procerusmedspa.com or call (215) 862-9070.

Serenity Day Spa & Wellness Center
Specializing in high-touch, low-tech bodywork and other non-invasive alternative healing techniques, Serenity takes its inspiration from safe and proven ancient and modern procedures and sound nutrition. One of the most popular treatments is the Sabai massage, a traditional massage from Thailand that uses steamed Thai herbs bundled in poultice “stems” massaged on the body along the energy meridians and joints. Consult with a therapist to select from 38 individual flower essences to be blended specifically for you and used during your relaxing botanical massage. For a real treat, take an “exotic journey” to Tunisia, Tibet, China or Peru with treatments that encompass essential elements of these cultures. Serenity Day Spa is located at 64 E. Swamp Road in Doylestown. For more information, visit www.serenity-dayspa.com or call (215) 230-3487.

Skin ‘n Tonic
Detoxify, restore and bliss out at this oasis of comfort in Peddler’s Village, operated by internationally trained esthetician Kerian Bray. Bray, who developed custom treatments and consulted for high profile spas across the USA and in her homeland of Australia, brings more than two decades of experience to the table. Skin ‘n Tonic specializes in treatments that use natural and exotic ingredients, from herbs and butter derived from the African Karite Nut to botanical derivatives from grapes, mangos and other tropical fruits. Skin ‘n Tonic Spa & Salon is located at shop 56 at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska. For more information, visit www.skinntonic.com or call (215) 794-3966.

Bucks & Montgomery Living’s Travel Editor Beth D’Addono lives in Belmont Hills.