Tension taming and deeply nurturing, Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Resort talks about their Elemis Poultice Powered Muscle Release - an award-winning spa treatment that made waves at this year’s Irish Tatler Awards using an amber and quartz poultice to dissolve knots.

What exactly is the treatment?

We begin the treatment with a thorough consultation, during which we speak to our client, find out what their needs and wants are in order to customise the massage to each individual. At this stage, we also ask the client to smell the products to ensure they are comfortable with them, and we guide them through the treatment by explaining what will happen.

Once the client is comfortable on the massage table we place two bolsters under the collar bone to prep the shoulders into position, perform a welcome touch foot ritual and body balance breathing. We begin the massage with a body brush, which stimulates, cleanses and tones the skin using natural cactus bristles. We then drizzle heated Muscle Ease oil, which combines marine and coastal oils infused with the invigorating Ocean Spa aromatic, and use a range of poultices as well as some hands on work. The Instant Refreshing Gel containing arnica, camphor and menthol and the Aching Muscle Body Balm, which melts into the skin, immediately warm and soothe the muscles. Its intoxicating ingredients such as eucalyptus, juniper and rosemary oil create an intense aroma that sets to work immediately when applied to the clients main areas of concern during the massage.

We then ask our client to turn over to perform the front of body treatment, knee bolsters are put in place for lower back support and a poultice is placed on the solar plexus to induce relaxation. The treatment is finished with a face cleanse, and a head, neck, shoulder and facial massage.

What is it supposed to do?

Sore, aching muscles are worked away with this invigorating and deeply releasing treatment. Using a uniquely designed amber and quartz poultice combined with the power of eucalyptus and juniper, each area of tension is specifically targeted with vibrational energy to re-mineralise. The amber and quartz in the poultice invigorates the body and elasticises the skin. Painful knots are eased and tension is dissolved. The treatment is completed by a restorative facial massage.

Is there anything you would do to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment?

We advise that clients use the thermal facilities prior to their treatment. The heat of the sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi helps to loosen up the muscles before the treatment even begins. As part of the homecare advice, we ask clients to leave all of the products used throughout the treatment on their skin for as long as they can - this allows them to continue working and achieving the best treatment results. We recommend that clients come for a treatment every fortnight as a course of six treatments and one every 21 days after that for long lasting results as well as using the Elemis Muscle Ease oil, Instant Refreshing gel and Aching Muscle Super Soak on a daily basis. Stretching out the muscles is also very important to prevent further tension.

Is there anyone you particularly recommend the treatment for?

The Elemis Poultice Powered Muscle Release soothes sore, aching muscles, invigorates yet is deeply relaxing, eases tension and painful knots as well as elasticsing the skin. We all accumulate knots and tension on a daily basis, with the unique combination of the products we use deeply penetrating into the muscles, amber and quartz poultices re-mineralising and loosening up the muscles as well as your therapist’s massage technique this is the perfect treatment for everyone.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t have this treatment and why?

• This treatment is not suitable during pregnancy
• Open cuts or abrasions
• Recent operations (within three months)
• Undiagnosed oedema
• Infectious skin diseases
• Severe varicose veins
• Severe sunburn
• Diabetes

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