I’m not usually one to experiment but I’ve heard the Doctor Fish or Garra Rufa fish, 'all the way from the hot springs of Turkey', can do wonders for your skin, leaving it smooth, glowing et al.

I was ushered into the cosy spa by the manager where I met Bo, my masseur who ushered me into a comfy recliner. I knocked off my heels as Bo brought me a brass basin of warm water to soak my tired feet. After my feet were dried off, I was taken to meet the cute little garra rufas that were housed in a small glass tank.

I sat on a stool and put my feet into the tank of water (about 30°C) and in a jiffy the little fish were nibbling away at my feet. It was so cute! But I’ve got to warn you… if you are ticklish or find the idea of a fish spa icky, this isn’t for you. You have to keep your feet rather still, if you want the fish to eat away at all those dead cells and scaly skin. 

The fish therapy lasted about 15 minutes but the best was still to come.

As I sank into a recliner, one of the girls draped a hot neck wrap over the back of my neck and a hot eye pillow over my eyes to get me ready for the best foot massage ever. A minute later I took off the eye pillow. It was way too hot. Anyway, Bo started off my slathering a generous amount of tea tree foot massage oil on my feet and calves. (The oil is more effective after you’ve had the natural therapeutic fish pedicure as it penetrates the skin properly.)

Bo began to massage my feet, concentrating on certain pressure points in my feet with his thumbs and knuckles. Then holding my heel in one hand and enfolding my toes with the other, he rotated each foot clockwise and then anti-clockwise. He used some pulling and stretching techniques too which help de-stress and eliminate toxins. 20 minutes later, he was still not done!

I was helped off the rather large recliner onto a soft pouf for a 10-minute shoulder rub. It was a dry massage (sans oil) for which he used his elbows and knees. I had terrible knots in my shoulders (I’m guessing from the weight of my tote) so as he massage my shoulders and neck I could feel actually the stress leave me. It was the best feeling ever.

To complete the experience, I was served a cup of piping hot Chinese tea. Delightful, I must say! After a brief chat with the manager, I walked out of Phoenix Mills with a spring in my step and a grin on my face :)

Source: iDiva.com