Iraq and Afghanistan, enduring urban combat, extreme temperatures (>115), injury, and constant threat of death, even the most hardened soldier, recuperating from excruciating and life-altering wounds, needs a back massage or facial every once in a while. The sun, wind, sand and extreme temperatures wreak havoc on the exposed skin..jpg)
Massage, facial and related treatments are part of the recovery regimen at the Wounded Warrior Transition unit at Ft. Belvoir. There are no doubts about the clinical benefits of massage therapy; massages and facials were not considered part of the basic recovery therapies for wounded service members.
For the past six months, these services have been provided by ROYSPA and Salon and Salon at Fort Belvoir. The salon has a contract with the Army to provide the service on the base, with its thousands of personnel.
"We just think it's important to support these soldiers in any way we can," said Joyce Cayli, the owner of the spa, who with her husband moved it from its original home in Fairfax City in 2007. She said she hopes to add restoration therapy that will help heal soldiers' scars and blemishes. "There's a way that all of us can contribute to helping. Most of all, we really want our soldiers to relax."
Many of the soldiers have post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries, the massage and other spa treatments are an important part of aiding in their physical and mental recuperation; soldiers can go for treatment a couple of times a month.
Photo credit: Photos by John Mcdonnell -- The Washington Post © 2009 The Washington Post Company.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
ReferenceSherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Hawkes RJ, et al. Randomized trial of therapeutic massage for chronic neck pain. Clinical Journal of Pain. 2009;25(3):233–238.
Specific Condition:
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