Hot sand therapy: 4 things to expect from psammotherapy, the holistic massage that can boost your he

Remember the last time you were at the beach, basking in the golden afternoon sun as you wiggled your toes in the sand? When you closed your eyes and drew in a long, deep breath, and exhaled all your stresses away? Somehow, in the comforting warmth of the shore, you could feel every tense muscle in your body completely relax, and your mind follow suit.

As it turns out, this physical and mental sensation isn’t exclusive to stressed out urbanites attempting to unwind on a beach holiday – Ancient Greeks discovered the soothing powers of sun-heated sand hundreds of years ago, using hot sand baths as a way to treat rheumatic, arthritic and respiratory conditions.

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Today, the traditional thermal treatment known as psammotherapy (psammo is Greek for sand) or hot sand therapy is still practised in countries such as Italy, Morocco and Egypt – and, at long last, has finally arrived on regional shores. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is apparently the first and only spa to introduce psammotherapy to Southeast Asia, having refined, enhanced and elevated the treatment with modern luxuries to proffer an indulgent experience alongside its purported health benefits.

With an entire 80-square-metre luxury suite dedicated to psammotherapy on the five-star hotel’s eighth floor, guests can choose from a variety of indulgent massages on the treatment menu (aromatherapy, muscle release, lymphatic – the works), all of which are performed on the exclusive MLX Quartz bed designed by one of the world’s leading spa manufacturers, Gharieni. It features a base of golden alpha-quartz sand from Bavaria, Germany, heated to optimal temperatures to provide the ultimate feeling of comfort throughout the session.

“The sand flows and envelopes the contours of the body, giving a cocooning feeling similar to lying on the beach. With the help of the therapist, the sand is moved and shaped according to the guest’s needs and unique body shape, both when lying face up and face down,” explains Theresa Winkler, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur’s spa and wellness director. “This ensures the body is warmed uniformly, loosening up tight muscles to improve mobility and encourage deep relaxation.”

Not to mention, it also helps relieve musculoskeletal and arthritic pain, stimulate lymphatic flow and detoxify the body, Winkler adds. Intrigued? Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur’s opulent spa menu offers a variety of pampering psammotherapy treatments to choose from, from the Gold Serenity Ritual (utilising Mother Earth’s five energies) to Gold Intensive Muscle Release (ideal for post-exercise). Here are four things to expect from the hottest massage to hit the city.

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1. Resounding Tibetan singing bowls are used to relieve stress and encourage deeper sleep

The immersive treatment begins and ends with gentle strikes of Tibetan singing bowls, producing a harmonic, resounding hum that is believed to encourage an elevated sense of relaxation. “The ‘singing’ sound is remarkable and is both invigorating and calming at the same time,” says Winkler. “We use the singing bowls to help harmonise the aura before the massage. The resonance of the bowls’ harmonic vibrations within the human body aid relaxation and are said to promote deeper sleep.”

According to Winkler, other benefits include relief from headaches, fatigue, insomnia, digestive disorders, menstrual pain and emotional imbalances. “Singing bowls are also used to activate or balance the body’s chakras, or energy centres, freeing up the flow of energy, or ‘chi’ (qì), through the body,” she says.

2. ‘Zero gravity’ inversions during the massage will help alleviate back pain and improve spinal health

Don’t be startled when the treatment bed tilts backwards during the upper body component of the massage – it’s all part of the rejuvenating process, and it feels strangely comfortable. “The slight elevation of the legs provides the sensation of an inversion,” explains Winkler. “Also known as zero gravity, inversion therapy creates an ideal stretch that, with regular application, improves spinal health and targets back pain.” The inversion accomplishes this by helping to rehydrate discs, reduce nerve pressure, realign the spine and improve joint health.

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3. It’s suitable for expectant mums, helping ease discomfort caused by pregnancy

As the alpha-quartz sand bed is able to be fashioned into any body shape, psammotherapy is ideal for expectant mums, particularly when it’s time to lie face down for the back massage. “It is extremely comfortable as the therapist can assist to shape the bed according to the guest’s needs,” says Winkler, who recommends psammotherapy for women in their second or third trimester; the warmth of the sand can help alleviate fatigue and discomfort. However, expecting mothers are advised to get clearance from a doctor before scheduling a session.

4. Psammotherapy can improve your daily life and overall well-being

As with most things, consistency is key. For comprehensive treatment and optimum results, Winkler recommends a session every two weeks, although “more severe medical conditions may require a weekly or even twice weekly treatment”. It might sound excessive, but the myriad health benefits are well worth the time and expense, considering how it helps boost overall well-being and improves performance in daily activities.

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“Just imagine someone suffering from chronic backache,” says Winkler. “Besides pain, chronic backache can also cause mental stress, headaches, and lack of sleep. For this person, weekly psammotherapy could bring about a holistic lifestyle change: pain relief, relaxation, a clear mind, and more restful sleep.”

Post-massage, be sure to drink plenty of water to rehydrate the body, but in the meantime, simply lie back, allow yourself to be transported to a sunny day at the beach, and relish the sheer bliss of the three-hour pampering ritual.

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