We won’t mince our words: it’s tough living in Singapore. Despite living on a tropical island with beaches and spas galore, we’re often time-crunched, overworked and frightfully anxious – a recipe for exhaustion and sickness. But if you’ve tried in vain to get your health back on track (yoga, detox retreats and organic food – you name it), perhaps it’s time to wade into the murky realm of natural healing practices. Sceptical? We list 11 alternative therapies which promise to nurse you back to health.
Therapy by floatation
Free your mind of life’s stresses and your body of gravity with a relaxing aquatic escape. At Palm Ave Float Club, you’ll float effortlessly on Epsom salt water in your own private pod. Without any distractions – light, sound or gravity – your body will enter a deep, meditative state and your worries will melt away. With regular floating seshes, expect quicker relief of stress, improved athletic performance, better mental clarity and muscle relaxation.
Palm Ave Float Club, 20 Waringin Park, Singapore 416333.
Therapy by acupuncture
An ancient TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) practice, acupuncture is believed to help ease pain and treat illnesses through restoring the flow of energy (also known as Qi) in one’s body. A standard treatment involves the patient lying relaxed while hair-thin needles are inserted into strategic points of the body. The benefits are numerous, including the release of endorphins (the happy hormone), immune cells to protect the body from diseases, as well as chemicals to regulate blood sugar levels. Terrified of needles? Not to worry – these needles are so thin that you’ll only feel a slight tingling sensation upon insertion. This treatment is available at major TCM practitioners, including the well-established Eu Yan Sang Clinic.
Eu Yan Sang Clinic, Various outlets, e. [email protected].
Therapy by Onsen baths
At Yunomori Japanese Onsen & Spa (the only authentic one of its kind in Singapore), you’ll experience traditional bathing rituals designed to relax and rejuvenate. Ranging from the simple and traditional to modern and technology-fuelled, each bath is proven to be therapeutic with its own sets of benefits. Choose from a selection of aquatic therapies including The Soda Spa – enriched with carbon dioxide-rich water – which tightens skin elasticity for a youthful glow, tiny bubble-filled Jet Bath for rheumatic aches, and the relaxing Hot Bath for various ailments.
Yunomori Japanese Onsen & Spa, Singapore Sports Hub, 1 Stadium Place #02-17/18, Singapore 397718.
Therapy by cupping
While this treatment has been around for centuries, it’s only recently become more widely practised. What happens is cups – made of glass or bamboo – are placed on the skin to create suction. Much like acupuncture, the cups’ placement on strategic Qi points helps to rebalance energy flow, but with the added deep-cleansing benefits of clearing congested blood from muscles and removal of toxins. After a number of treatments, one can expect better skin, digestion and better health overall. Suffice to say, this is not for anyone with haemophobia (the fear of blood) – expect to see blood in those cups, and we’re not talking little smidgens either. Like acupuncture, cupping is easily available at many TCM clinics including Xin Hua Therapy
XIn Hua Therapy, 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, Singapore 082001.
Therapy by hot stones
Rather heat things up? Try this natural treatment which involves the use of warmed stones placed directly on a person’s body; the stones typically rest on certain points of the body before the start of a massage. The heat from them penetrates deep body tissues, improving blood circulation and loosening tight muscles. Massage devotees have claimed that using stones prior to a rubdown proves far more effective than one without, since it relaxes muscles and allows therapists to better work your knots without deep, painful pressure. It’s especially claimed to work wonders on people with back aches and pains as well as arthritis. Head to Knead at Holland Village for affordable treatments or acclaimed St Gregory’s Spa for a swish sesh of hot stone healing.
Knead, 36A Lorong Mambong, Singapore 277693.
St Gregory’s Spa, Various outlets including Park Royal Pickering and Pan Pacific Orchard.
Therapy by Turkish Bath
Over at one of the island’s most luxurious spas is a replica of a Turkish hammam, the first of its kind in Singapore. Part of Moroccan culture, the hammam is traditionally for top-to-toe exfoliation and thorough cleansing. ESPA’s hammam ritual closely follows the grounding principles of the tradition. Located in an airy, spacious chamber with a grand domed ceiling, the spa features a full-sized scrub plinth, oversized rain showers and a steam room. Thanks to all that deep pore cleansing, you’ll emerge rosy and languorous with baby soft skin.
ESPA @ Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269, p. 6577 8888.
Therapy by Ayurveda
One of the world’s oldest healing practices views the human body as being controlled by three systems (also known as doshas). Illnesses occur when one of them is out of balance – that’s where Ayurveda comes in. Aside from rubdowns with herbs and oils, unconventional treatments include the Shirodhara, where medicated oil, buttermilk or milk is poured continuously over a patient’s head, helps cure insomnia and chronic headaches, as well as Navarakizhi which involves the application of boluses of cooked Navara rice on the body for skeletal and muscular health. Om Vedic Heritage Centre is a great place to start, as it specialises in Ayurveda treatments, yoga and nutrition workshops.
Om Vedic Heritage Centre, 43 Tessensohn Road, Singapore 217661.
Therapy by Jamu
Originating from Indonesia, Jamu is famous for curing chronic pains, illnesses and sexual ailments. Made with all-natural herbal ingredients, Jamu’s a booming industry in its home country with generations of Indonesians swearing by its tonics, medicine, oils and treatments. For the grooming-savvy, the scrubs and body wraps are a must-try; at Sri Bayu Balinese Spa, start with Javanese Lulur scrub to leave skin smooth and supple, and follow up with the Signature Ginger Wrap or Seaweed Detox Wrap with Heat Blanket to detoxify and stimulate circulation.
Sri Bayu Balinese Spa, 959 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534718.
Therapy by Lomi Lomi
Unlike most massages, this sacred Hawaiian massage is truly a full body rubdown – therapists at Luana Therapy use long, flowing movements from head to toe in a fluid, rhythmic and most sensual movement that honours the body. The focus here is on the energy flow; traditional Lomi Lomi treatments usually involve hula movements (coupled with steadied breathing patterns and humming) to assist the energy flow between the client and therapist. The ritual’s benefits aren’t just physical – the massage is believed to induce total mind-body relaxation.
Luana Therapy, Primz Bizhub,#09-16, 21 Woodlands Close, Singapore 737854.
Therapy by fish spa
Originating from Eastern Europe, fish spas were met with incredulity when they were first introduced in Singapore. These days, they’re embraced by many (if not all), and seen as a quick and amusing way to thoroughly exfoliate feet. All you need to do is dip your feet into a tank of warm freshwater filled with Garra Rufa (also known as Doctor Fish). These toothless masseurs will nibble on your dead skin cells, revealing smoother and healthier looking skin. Aside from gorgeous new feet, other benefits include improved blood circulation and tension release from the inevitable ticklish sensations. The best fish spa in Singapore can be found at Kenko Singapore.
Kenko Wellness, Various outlets, e. [email protected].
Therapy by sound meditation
Tried yoga and regular ol’ meditation on your search for inner peace and clarity? Don’t give up the hunt just yet – we’re pretty sure you’ve never tried sound meditation! At The Singing Bowl Gallery, healing takes place primarily through the soothing sounds of singing bowls. Handcrafted by metal craftsmen in Nepal, the singing bowls create complex singing tones and natural harmonies to induce meditation for peace and relaxation. The effect is rapid – your tension, stress and pain will quickly melt away… but it doesn’t stop there. These guys are also masters of Pandorastar light therapy, which creates a kaleidoscope of colours and imagery with closed eyelids. Coupled with the meditative sounds from the singing bowls, you’re guaranteed to sink into deep relaxation, leading to reduced anxiety, better stress management and improved sleep.
The Singing Bowl Gallery, 33 Erskine Road 01-05, Singapore 069333.