Spa strategy to beat cig craving

Spa strategy to beat cig craving
By Richard Harris
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Sophie Cleminson brushes Dead Sea mud on to Richard Harris
Can a series of treatments at a health spa help a seasoned smoker cope with the pangs of giving up cigarettes? Richard Harris found out.

AS a smoker of more than ten years standing, the smoking ban seemed the perfect opportunity to give up the evil weed for the sake of the two kippers masquerading as my lungs.

With the prospect of being nicotine-free and having to go cold turkey in my head, Alquimia Spa's offer of their new anti-tobacco, detoxification and purifying treatment seemed an ideal opportunity.

Alquimia says the treatment is designed for both smokers and non-smokers who have been exposed to cigarette smoke, and want to negate its effect on their skin and their bodies.

The treatment uses aromatherapy to moisturise, oxygenate and detoxify the skin, while the association with pleasure that tobacco gives a smoker is separated by stimulating pressure points.

Spa treatments manager Sophie Cleminson first stimulated the respiratory channels with a Breathe Easy blend of essential oils on a hot towel.

She then pressed into the pressure points before I was given a full body exfoliation using Dead Sea salt, which she said oxygenates the skin, replaces minerals and improves circulation.

Mud from the Dead Sea with essential oils mixed in was then rubbed all over me, before I was wrapped up in a plastic sheet to allow the oils to be fully absorbed by the skin.

My face was then given similar treatment, with Sophie saying that the Dead Sea mud really helps to cleanse the skin deeply and draw out the toxins and waste that we pick up from smoking and in our everyday lives.

I was then invited to have a long soak in a hot bath before the second round of the treatment began.

With the mud washed off I was given an all-over massage concentrating on the body's energy points.

Sophie said when stimulated the energy points on the face are good for promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety - perfect for a smoker who hasn't had a cig all day.

Those on the chest help in alleviating congestion and breathing difficulties - again perfect for any slave to nicotine - while stimulating the legs helps reduce cramps.

She said: "They all relate to different things, but will all help with the symptoms of quitting smoking," adding that the treatments also help to "detox" the body and so will help to push toxins like nicotine out.

Now it may have been the pleasure of being pampered solidly for two-and-a-quarter hours.

But I can honestly say that for those 135 minutes I did not even think about a cigarette, despite having stopped that very morning and my body previously reminding me about the fact every two minutes.

I also found I was much calmer for the rest of the evening - and I write this as a sceptic about the power of essential oils, pressure points and detoxification.

It is now eight days since the treatment and, without the use of patches or nicotine chewing gum, I am still cigarette-free.

Whether that is due to luck, will-power or Alquimia's treatment is impossible to say.

But I feel the treatment certainly helped, if for no other reason than to provide an extra incentive to remain fag-free.

For more information on the anti-tobacco, detoxification and purifying treatment, phone Alquimia Spa in Stonegate, York, on 01904 632888, or email info@alquimiaspa.com.

Products used during the treatment

* Dead Sea salts - to peel, oxygenate and reintroduce minerals to the skin.

* Dead Sea mud - to purify, decongest and oxygenate.

* Ylang ylang cleansing emulsion - to cleanse and calm.

* Orange blossom facial tonic - to moisturise and calm.

* Carrot oil - to oxygenate.

* Wheat germ oil - to reduce free-radicals.

* Rosehip oil - regenerates and has anti-ageing properties.

* Breathe Easy aromatherapy blend - for lung oxygenation.

* Petit grain essential oil - calms and revitalises.

* Lavender essential oil - calms and regenerates.

* Geranium essential oil - balances and calms.

* Cedar essential oil - relaxes and calms.

* Pine essential oil - refreshes breathing channels.

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