Ultimate South Indian Therapy introduced at Chiva-Som

The ultimate South Indian therapy for easing joint complaints, arthritis, insomnia and fatigue while improving skin complexion has been introduced at Chiva-Som, the award-winning luxury health resort in Hua Hin, Thailand.

The new ‘South Indian Pampering’ originates from Kerala and involves three therapists. “It’s Chiva-Som’s most indulgent experience,” says spokeswoman Vipasiri Napawongdee.

Two therapists begin the treatment by massaging warm aromatic oils into the body, while a third therapist ensures the oil remains at a comfortable temperature.

The oils contain essential oils specially chosen to start the relaxation process. 

While two therapists continue to massage, the third therapist begins to dust powdered licorice and sandlewood over the entire body. This effectively creates a dry body scrub resulting in full body exfoliation.

Licorice has been used by both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Ayurvedically, it is used to increase the fluid in the bone marrow -- which is why the treatment is a remedy for arthritis and other joint complaints. In Chinese Medicine, it is considered adaptogenic, helping relieve stress. Sandalwood also has a long tradition in Ayurvedic Medicine for calming the mind.

Once the entire body has been covered in the powdered herbs, poultices or Kizi bags are used in calming circular motions to further induce a deep state of relaxation. This also helps work the sandalwood and licorice into the skin.

The kizi bags are filled with buckwheat which moulds itself to the contours of the body -- ensuring all dead skin cells are removed evenly.

Next, steamed towels infused with Thai herbs are placed over the body, opening skin pores to absorb nutrients and compounds from the oil-licorice-sandalwood mixture.

The heat also encourages peripheral circulation that further increases absorption and stimulates the digestive system.

Traditionally, this treatment is used for improving skin complexion and skin problems, easing joint complaints, insomnia and fatigue. It is also detoxifying and can be used in conjunction with Chiva Som’s detoxifying and weight management programs – although it’s not recommended for those with high blood pressure.

Chiva-Som, which in Thai means “haven of life”, is a unique luxury heath resort offering a totally luxurious, holistic and controlled environment in which to lose weight, de-stress, detox or simply relax - with the help of an international team of holistic, fitness, spa and complementary medicine  experts.

Readers of the UK edition of Condé Nast Traveller magazine recently voted  Chiva-Som No 1 Overseas Destination Spa, ranking 10th out of the top 100 best travel experiences in the world.

Chiva-Som's managing director, Joy Menzies, said: “Chiva-Som is a “destination spa” – a place where people go specifically for the treatments.”  The spa attracts many international celebrities and business leaders who go to lose weight, detox and take time out from their high-stress lives in a luxury resort. 

Facilities include 42 massage treatment rooms (compared to only 57 guest rooms), a fully equipped hydrotherapy suite, a private aquatic therapy pool, one of the world’s largest flotation tanks, steam and sauna rooms, and relaxation rooms complete with heated water beds.

Apart from ‘South Indian Pampering’, Chiva-Som offers over 80 different therapies including some seldom found anywhere else, including Chi Nei Tsang, Reiki, Iridology (studying the eyes to analyse the condition of body organs) and even Visualization Regression – using Shamanistic rituals and  deep relaxation to confront or release past emotional blockages. A variety of weight loss and fitness programmes include Palates Body Conditioning and detox are also available.