Rejuvenate

I AM a cynic at heart, as much as I hate to admit it, so it was with some trepidation that I agree to have yet another spa treatment tagged with those well-worn claims of detoxifying, rebalancing (whatever it is), energising and invigorating poor old bodies like mine.

Realistically, expecting a basic massage to recharge my battteries and alter my negative psyche was certainly a bit of a long shot but desperate times calls for desperate measures and one must live in hope, I supose. Still, I did expect the whole experience to end in disappointment.

But, as I was soon to discover, this was no basic massage and disappointed I was not. Known as the Raindrop Technique, this new fangled approach to traditional massage proved to be a wonderful experience and while I am not sure I am quite "balanced" yet, I was suprisingly energised after the event, albeit characteristically skeptical.

The Raindrop Technique was introduced into Australia a couple of years ago but is only just starting to take off around the country. Using 100 per cent pure essential oils as the basis of the massage, they are worked into the body via the spine where they are dispensed through "an energetic field" from a height of about 12 cms - like little drops of rain as the name suggests. The oils are worked in with various light massage techniques and the combined effect is meant to assist in the body's energetic balance.

The thinking behind the use of essential oils is that they are able to promote the highest possible levels of oxygenation, delivering oxygen to the bloodstream almost instantly, ultimately affecting every cell in the body within 20 minutes. Once oxygen is restored, nutrients can return and be assimilated, and the body can begin to balance itself. While I can't vouch for the actual therapeutic benefits of this treatment, I can vouch for its deep relaxation effect followed by a distinct elevation in energy, although I'm totally baffled how this could be.

There aren't many practitioners on the northern beaches trained to perform the Raindrop Technqiue but Helen Sattler, based in Seaforth, is one of the rare few who are actively practising this revolutionary sounding treatment. A staunch advocate of this unusual form of massage, Ms Sattler said although each session lasts for just 90 minutes, the positive effects should continue to work at a deep level for up to a week following application. Again, I can't comment on the veracity of this claim but I can say that Ms Sattler, who is also a qualified masseur, does one hell of a good massage.

At the start if the session, she gave me a truly delightful facial, followed by a blissful hand and foot massage. Once I was totally relaxed, she proceeded with the Raindrop Technique, lightly massaging at least seven different essential oils into my spine which together formed a hot sensation on my back and shoulders. She then placed a hot towel on my back to infuse the oils deeper into my system. The effect was like a deep heat treatment which when the towel was removed, became almost icy and quite invigorating.

It's been about 30 hours since the treatment and I am feeling unusually energetic. In fact, now that I've finished this piece I'll take myself off for a half hour brisk walk to expend all this pent-up energy. Oh, how nice to be feeling alive again!

For more information please call Helen Sattler on 0428 63 22 73 or email at