In an average list of a day spa’s frequently used hardware, the words “acupuncture needles” rarely appears. However, that may be changing. More spas are finding ways to integrate this ancient Chinese healing practice into their service menus, either to reduce pain and enhance health in its traditional usage, or to rejuvenate the face in the new practice of “cosmetic acupuncture,” wherein the needles are used to stimulate facial muscles and collagen production.

Spa owners who offer acupuncture tout its advantages to spas, which include:

• It’s a draw. Acupuncture is growing in popularity and for clients who are interested, can be easily packaged with facial or massage treatments.
• Easy setup. Usually little more than a massage therapy room and needles are needed for an acupuncturist to do his or her job.
• Low equipment cost. Aside from the needles, which average $5 for a box of 100, the only other potential items needed are heat lamps, vacuum cups and/or herbs, none of which are pricey, leaving room in the budget for a qualified, licensed acupuncturist.
  
  

• Safety. Because acupuncture needles are extremely thin and don’t penetrate the skin more than a few millimeters, the risk of side effects is minimal. The industry standard of using disposable, single-use needles eliminates contamination risk.

To learn more about how spas are successfully offering acupuncture services, see “Acupuncture Basics” in the August issue of DAYSPA.

DAYSPAMAG.com

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