Des Moines Best!

We were so honored to be named Des Moines’ Best Spa for the 4th year in a row at the Cityview Awards last night!  Not only did we win top honors as their readers’ choice for Best Spa, we also won Best Nail Salon and our massage therapist Justin Behanish was recognized for his many years of providing great massage in the area by readers who named him Best Massage Therapist!



Thank you to all of our clients for their support.  We are honored to be able to do what we love every day…which is helping you to stay healthy and stress free!

Copyright © East Village Spa 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without East Village Spa’s express consent. Our photography may not be used in any manner without our express written consent. Backlinks and sharing with the buttons at the bottom of the page are allowed.

Sports Massage

Every two years when the Olympics roll around, I’m reminded that it is
the perfect time to discuss sports massage!  Sports massage is a
treatment that focuses more on specific muscle groups impacted by
activity and common areas of injury.  Don’t let the name fool you,
sports massage is also perfect for people struggling with non-athletic
injuries. 

In contrast to a general relaxation massage, with
sports therapy you might experience more assessment and questions from
the therapist about your activity level, goals, pain, or injury.  In
most cases, a sports therapy massage is not a full-body treatment, but
rather just focused on a few muscle groups.  You may also expect some
assisted stretches and to be asked to engage muscle groups while the
therapist is working so it is not an ideal time to catch up on your
naps! 

Who can benefit from a sports massage:

  • ANYONE
    with a soft tissue injury (i.e. foot and ankle pain, rotator cuff
    injuries, wrist and hand pain, hamstring pain, back pain, and more)
  • Athletes looking to recover faster from intense training or events
  • Athletes looking to enhance their performance with a pre-game workout

At
East Village Spa, our therapists Justin, Clair, Stacy, and Teresa have
advanced training in sports massage techniques and offer the Athletic
Edge Sports Massage.  This full hour treatment is as varied as our
clients injuries and activities and can include stretching or Thai
massage techniques, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, Swedish
massage to boost circulation, invitorating massage to prepare muscles
for an upcoming event, and some injury assessment.  Some sports massage
is done unclothed but draped by sheets like traditional massage, but you
may wish to bring loose athletic clothing if you prefer (or if your
therapist recommends) lots of assisted stretching.

Our massage therapist demonstrate various sports massage techniques (clockwise from top left): Assisted Stretching, Myofascial Release, Assisted Stretching, Neuromuscular (trigger point) Therapy.

Click HERE to schedule your sports massage with Clair, Stacy, Justin, or Teresa.  Their schedules tend to fill in advance, to do plan ahead if you are preparing for a big competition or event to make sure you get the treatments you need to perform your best and recover faster!

Copyright © East Village Spa 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without East Village Spa’s express consent. Our photography may not be used in any manner without our express written consent. Backlinks and sharing with the buttons at the bottom of the page are allowed.

Fun ways to spend Valentine’s Day that are not couple’s massages

We love seeing couple’s for Valentine’s Day, but our schedule fills up fast (we can only do about 8-10 couple’s massages on Valentine’s Day and about 8 on the 15th so understandably, those spots go fast!)  We do keep a waiting list for these openings so feel free to call us to add your name to the list!

We do encourage you to think outside the couple’s massage room this Valentine’s Day!  First, a gift card to the spa is a good gift your sweetheart can enjoy anytime.  You can get a gift card in the spa and we’ll gift wrap it with organic chocolates. 

Now that you have your gift card in hand, I’ve got some great ideas of how you can present your spa gift card to your sweetheart!

1. Jasper Winery’s Wine, Beer, and Cupcakes Flight on Saturday February 15th:  Can you get any better than wine, beer, and sweet treats all in one gorgeous location?  Click here for event details.  You can also call Jasper Winery for more information on scheduling a chocolate and wine or cheese and wine pairing.  Sit in front of their crackling fireplace and present your sweetie with their spa gift card while you sip delicious locally crafted drinks.

2. Dinner at HOQ on February 14th:  One of our favorite East Village Neighbors, HOQ Restaurant features farm fresh local meat and produce.  They are great for meat eaters, vegetarians, and people with gluten sensitivities.  Check out their Valentine’s Day menu here and call ahead for reservations!

3. Laugh with your love at Comedy Xperiment’s Valentine’s Day Show at the Stoner Theater.  Tickets are just $10! Click here for info.

4.  Make reservations for the “Not Valentine’s” 6 course dinner at Tacopocalypse.  There are great options for vegan and vegetarians on their prix fixe menu too! Advanced tickets required, purchase yours here.

5.  Catch a movie at Fleur Cinema, then take your movie stubs across the parking lot to Mezzodi’s for 2 for one drinks or appetizers!  Surprise your date with a spa gift card while you dish about the movie you just saw!

6.  Enjoy sophisticated dining at BOS at the Renaissance Savory hotel or a cocktail at CODA lounge.  Click here for the valentine’s menu.

We hope this inspires some Valentine’s Day creativity and we look forward to helping you pick the perfect gift to go along with your fun Valentine’s Weekend plans!

Copyright © East Village Spa 2014 All Rights Reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without East Village Spa’s express consent. Our photography may not be used in any manner without our express written consent. Backlinks and sharing with the buttons at the bottom of the page are allowed.