L is for... Lava shells, lomi lomi, lymphatic drainage massage and more.

Laconium

Lava shells

Lomi Lomi

Lymph

Lymphatic drainage massage

Laconium

A (sometimes Roman) laconium gives a gentler heat than most saunas and is designed to gradually raise your body temperature. It can be more soothing than other saunas, and leaves you feeling pleasantly sleepy. It's a good one to start with as it's very mild and gets you "into the swing" of sauna-ing! You can stay in longer than other saunas as it's balmy rather than hot.

See also: Caldarium; Frigi-Thalgo; Sauna

Lava shells

Striped clam shells from tropical waters used in massage. The effect is similar to hot stone treatment, with the surfaces of the shells acting to smooth skin and unknot muscles. Your therapist inserts a sachet of algae, minerals and dried kelp into the shell, and adds an activating liquid to produce a warming, soothing effect on the skin.

The shells are a by-product of the seafood industry in the Philippines.

Good for: Working tightness and tension out of your muscles. De-stressing.

See also: Hot Stone Massage; Hydrotherapy; Algae Wrap

Lomi Lomi

This is also known as the "loving hands" or Hawaiian massage. "Lomi lomi" translates to "rub rub" in Hawaiian, and reflects the broad, flowing strokes made with the therapist's fingers, thumbs, palms, arms and elbows. Macadamia, palm and coconut oils are usually used as moisturisers in lomi lomi massage, to keep the strokes smooth and to nourish the skin. Lomi lomi works from the belief that memories are not just stored in the brain and mind, but also in every cell of the human body. The long, continuous strokes of the massage are designed to help the body let go of its old patterns and behaviours, which can cause as many stresses and strains as muscle tension. The massage works gently yet deeply, allowing you to relax and give in to the nurturing touch.

Good for: Releasing muscular and emotional tension; encouraging the flow of lymph and blood around your body; eliminating toxins; instilling a sense of peace, harmony and well-being. In Hawaii, lomi lomi is used to treat children with upset stomachs and soothe women in labour. A lomi-lomi therapist will not aim to heal directly, but to be the facilitator for healing... to enable healing to take place.

See also: Esalen massage; Swedish massage; Thai massage

Lymph

The clear, slightly yellow fluid that flows around your body, carrying white blood cells and antibodies to your tissues and organs. These are essential to your immune system and help you fight infection. Cellular waste and other toxins build up in our bodies, and it is your lymphatic system's job is to flush all this waste away, and keep you healthy.

Good for: Getting your lymph moving smoothly around your body will help your immune system to work efficiently to remove and prevent infection.

See also: Reiki; Deep tissue massage; Lymphatic drainage

Lymphatic drainage massage

A therapeutic treatment that uses pulsing motions to encourage the lymph in your body to flow more freely. Lymphatic drainage massage boosts the flow of lymph around your body, refreshing your immune system and flushing out toxins.

Good for: Helping your body fight infection; speeding up healing and recovery from illness; a popular and effective treatment for cellulite; reducing water retention and boosting weight loss. Also great for skin: improving the skin texture by reducing swelling, puffiness and blotches; giving you clean healthy pores; speeding up healing in scar tissue, so it can, for example, improve the appearance of stretch marks.

See also: Deep tissue massage; Esalen massage; Massage