Where will you get your next Austin mani? (Credit: @LACQUER)

Guest article by Mandy Heintzelman Smith

This is not a scientific conclusion, but over the last five months of living in Austin, I’ve noticed there’s a huge demand for services at local high-end nail salons. When my mother-in-law was in town, I wanted to take her and my little girl to a beautiful, cozy nail salon and make it an experience. I called around to all of the best reviewed salons, and it wasn’t until my fourth try that I could find an appointment for three people.
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The Serenity Wellness chair massage team (Credit: Heather Loomis Photography)

For some, the chair massage is a mystical unicorn in the wilderness of the healthcare industry. Does it really work? Where are chair massages available? How do I sit in the chair, and where do my arms go?

The question of whether it works has a simple answer. I believe a massage with a knowledgeable, communicative therapist, of any length of time, can uplift someone’s spirits and make someone’s day. Like anything else regarding health, it is not a silver bullet, especially when dealing with chronic issues. But I can attest to the immediate relief and comfort it provides for countless individuals. As far as where in Austin chair massages are available, I’ve compiled a list of six local, vetted businesses.

(And once you’re in the chair, the therapist will tell you where to put your arms.) [Read more…]

Cryotherapy saunas use dry cold for healing (Credit: @sethprochazka)

No one moves through life unscathed. Fortunately, there are many massage and holistic healing studios here in Austin. The following are five local businesses that offer diverse, unique, and sometimes surprising services that can be enjoyed alone, or in conjunction with a massage treatment.

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