These great therapies, through which clamshells are the principle therapeutic massage device, originate on the idyllic island of St. Barths within the Caribbean. And 1000’s of kilometers away, in France, they’re beginning to acquire recognition.
What’s a clamshell therapeutic massage?
A clamshell therapeutic massage clearly begins with a clamshell therapeutic massage. The shells utilized in France are sustainably sourced from varied components of the Pacific Ocean, says Mathilde Fillonthe pinnacle coach on the Diane Barrière Spa.
“We’re intentionally focusing on a number of components of the ocean to forestall whole areas from being drained. Our objective is to make sure that we use it in a accountable and sustainable approach and don’t disrupt the ocean’s surroundings,” says Fillon. “We then clear the shells, clean the skin and wash them totally so we will use them once more.”
As soon as the shells are clear and clean, they’re heated to evoke the identical sensations as a sizzling stone therapeutic massage. Earlier than the therapy, a therapist prepares the shells by inserting dry minerals in them and activating them with salted water for about half-hour. This mix of elements causes a pure heating of the mussel shells, to which she later provides avocado oil and leaves for soaking. Avocado oil is a wonderful moisturizer that improves pores and skin elasticity, reduces irritation and strengthens the pores and skin barrier.
Chemically, the pure calcium carbonate composition of the shells permits them to retain warmth, guaranteeing a soothing and therapeutic expertise. The nice and cozy shells launch pressure and knots within the shoulders, again and decrease physique, promote blood circulation and relieve stress. A therapeutic massage therapist rubs them in deliberate, rhythmic, sweeping motions.
“The therapist is educated to use the correct amount of stress to the shells to launch pressure in the precise locations and improve stimulation in order that the physique feels soothed with out inflicting any put on and tear on the pores and skin,” says Fillon. “Once we work on the decrease physique, the warmth on the shells additionally has the identical impact because the lymphatic drainage therapeutic massage.”
Not like different massages, that are advisable sometimes, Fillon confirms that the therapeutic massage may be carried out each day as it’s a nice muscle relaxant. Sadly, there is no such thing as a option to replicate this at residence, because the heating and software strategies require critical coaching to work appropriately. For instance, overheating the shells may cause minor burns on the pores and skin.
What occurred once I tried a clamshell therapeutic massage
Though the spa had a delicate lavender aroma, my greatest concern was whether or not the shells would scent like fish and, because of this, whether or not that scent would linger on my pores and skin. Nevertheless, the therapist assured me that the shells have been cleaned a number of instances to take away any fishy odors after which hand polished to create a superbly clean end.
As the nice and cozy mussels glided over my pores and skin, I appreciated how the pure contours of the shells molded to my physique, even in hard-to-reach locations!
Through the 60 minute therapy I did not really feel an enormous bodily profit, however I did really feel psychological ease. The repetitive motion of the mussels on my pores and skin, mixed with the rejuvenating sound of the waves within the background and the delicate scents of the avocado oil, put me in a meditative state.
Moreover, this expertise made me really feel related to nature in a complete new approach. The sensation of the shell on my physique made me take into consideration all of the methods we’ve got realized to make the most of the sources Mom Nature has gifted us, and the deep leisure these humble molluscs may give me was one thing value shelling . abrasive.