Whether you’re suffering from a stiff neck, puffy eyes, sore muscles, sun damage, skin that sags in all the wrong places, or just need a little relaxing “me” time, look for relief in a galaxy of proven ancient remedies. Enjoy the spa adventure, a journey that goes far beyond the popular Swedish massage and embrace other global techniques that have been practiced for thousands of years. And when the old ways come face-to-face with modern-day sensibilities, the results are quite simply amazing.

Central and Eastern Europe
Who would have thought that getting dirty is actually good for you? When the dirt is in the form of a MUD WRAP—a popular treatment in Hungary (historical home to the Budapest Thermal Spa Baths)—it is just what the doctor ordered to detoxify and tone skin, plus reduce joint inflammation. According to Linda Orhun, president, Destiny Beauty & Wellness Day Spa (794 Lexington Ave., 1-212-832-0431), “The actual mud we use isn’t from Hungary, but the technique that you’ll experience is pure Hungarian.” The session includes a soft brush exfoliation, mud application (which penetrates the skin for 20 minutes), a warm shower and moisturizing massage.

Getting the metabolism moving is key to almost every modality, and aside from hands-on manipulation techniques, various types of ancient implements are employed. Take, for example, PLATZA—from Russia with love. This treatment is actually an invigorating ritual in which the body is gently stroked with a birch branches. After the session, an invigorating ice-cold water plunge awaits. This time-honored rite was a favorite with the czars, as was the BANYA, a steam-infused sauna. Both can be had at Okeanos (211 E. 51st St., 1-212-223-6773).

Europe and Africa
As Russia’s royalty escaped to their spas, the French nobility raised crystal goblets to their vineyards. The French knew back then the benefits of red wine. Today, studies reveal that drinking red wine in moderation is a heart-healthy choice. The Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa (The Plaza Hotel, 1 W. 58th St., 4th fl., 1-212-265-3182) uses the grape in topical applications and offers wine-based beauty products and therapies. The substance found in the red grape fights free radicals, the culprit responsible for premature aging of the skin. Treatments include a CRUSHED CABERNET SCRUB and the BARREL BATH—a whirlpool brimming with organic grape water—which jettisons the bather into to a state of ultra-repose. The French are also huge proponents of seaweed as a beauty elixir, due to its mineral content and hydrating capabilities. Their version of Hungary’s mud wrap is the GREEN AND WHITE ALGAE BODY WRAP (grown in the waters off France’s Brittany coast) is on the extensive menu of services at the Downtown retreat Great Jones Spa (29 Great Jones St., 1-212-505-3185). The stress-relieving therapy comprises exfoliation and pressure-point massage on the extremities, capped off with a pulsating Vichy shower and oil and cream rub.

Even though the French have their share of feel-good spa treatments, it’s not unusual for them to venture down to North Africa’s Morocco to experience the sensuality of HAMMAM; an ancient ritual practiced today at Sense, A Rosewood Spa at The Carlyle Hotel (35 E. 76th St., 1-212-660-7560). The five-step treatment begins by cleansing the body with a blend of tea and minerals and is followed by a vigorous coffee, olive-stone and lemon scrub. (Did you know that coffee grinds, when massaged daily into the skin, help to eliminate cellulite?) After the scrub, the body is slathered in Rhassoul clay and wrapped—to draw out impurities. Once jet showered, you’re oil massaged into submission.

Olive oil, together with herbs and florals found in Italy’s home pantries and gardens, is relied upon for several beauty treatments. As do many ancient cultures, Italy takes a natural approach to all things bellisima. The BOTANICAL COMPRESSES FACIAL offered by Erbe Spa and Boutique (196 Prince St., 1-212-966-1445) is a fine example of how using natural ingredients enhances skin’s overall appearance. The usual exfoliation, cleansing and extractions are part of the session, but then the twist—compresses containing imported botanicals (chamomile, ginkgo biloba, wheat germ, ginseng) are placed on the face for several minutes. The results: a firmer, more radiant complexion.

East and Far East
Asian healing arts, as old as time, focus on balancing the body via a variety of modalities. The mantra for many of these therapies is to kick-start the circulation and unblock stagnant energy—from head to toe. Among the extensive roster of traditional Eastern treatments—that include Thai Massage and the Ginseng Deep Cleansing Facial—at Graceful Services (1097 Second Ave., 2nd fl., 1-212-593-9904, and two other NYC locations), is the GUA SHA massage. The session starts with an oil rubdown, which leads to back, shoulders and limbs being scuffed with a small rounded Bull Horn tool. “Gua sha (meaning to scrape or rub) increases blood flow and drains the toxic waste from the muscles and tissues,” says owner Grace Macnow, who recommends having this energy-releasing session monthly. Another natural resource used to promote well-being comes from 18th-century Japan, where lovely, porcelain-skinned geishas secretly used nightingale droppings in their skin-care routine. At Shizuka New York Day Spa (7 W. 51st St., 6th fl., 1-212-644-7400), this enzyme-rich ingredient (sanitized and in powder form) is now a part of the spa’s GEISHA FACIAL. Four hundred years earlier, 14th-century Thai soldiers, returning battered and bruised from combat, found relief with an HERBAL POULTICE MASSAGE; a technique that’s as popular with Haven’s (150 Mercer St., 1-212-343-3515) clients today as it was with warriors back then. You can expect a soothing deep-tissue massage of neck, spine, lower back and the vertebrae. Next, a steaming palm-sized, mushroom-shaped cloth bag containing no fewer than 20 medicinal herbs is skillfully rubbed into muscles and joints to melt away minor maladies.

Although not a traditional tactile experience, REIKI is more about working the body’s invisible energy or aura. While this 2,500-year-old therapy originated in Tibet, it became more associated with Japan, where the concept blossomed. The mainly hands-off, fully clothed session starts with a deep exhale, which is also the name of one place—Exhale Mindbody Spa (150 Central Park So., 1-212-561-7400)—where the ritual is performed. The therapist acts as a conduit with the universe, running hands over your force field in an effort to expel negative energy. Post-session, a sense of extreme harmony is experienced. Another balancing session based on a 5,000-year-old philosophy is SHIRODHARA, offered at FineLiving New York Ayurveda (154 W. 14th St., 4th fl., 1-212-616-4127). The ritual begins with a 20-minute massage of hands, feet, face and neck. Cool compresses rest on the eyes, as a copper vessel is placed above the client’s forehead from which a steady stream of warm oil is released onto the forehead. The practitioner’s goal: to calm down the mind and overall nervous system. Supreme success.

Middle East
The very beginnings of REFLEXOLOGY can be traced way back to Egypt 2330 B.C. The science concerns the network of circuits throughout the body, in which all organs eventually connect to reflex points in the feet. For example, by gently pressing points in the toes, the neck will benefit; concentrate the pressure on the ball of the foot and the chest and upper back will glean therapeutic results. Ginza Spa (969 Third Ave., lower level, 1-212-355-1212) espouses the benefits of this stimulating treatment; a modality that’s thought to strengthen the overall immune system. Of course, a world of spa treatments are useless unless accompanied by a healthy diet and exercise program. According to the American Medical Association, a diet high in salt is one that should be avoided at all costs. However, when salt is bathed in, or used topically—rather than sprinkled on your favorite dish—all bets are off. But before you open up the shaker into your Jacuzzi, know that the best salt containing skin-renewing and healing properties comes from the Dead Sea. Calcium, bromine, potassium and magnesium are some of the minerals found in this salt, a component used in the DEAD SEA SALT GLOW at Albina’ Spa (127 E. 60th St., 1-212-888-0891). The session whisks away dry, flaky skin to reveal a fresh, soft-to-the-touch appearance.

The West and Beyond
Unlike the rest of the world, with its vast resume of healing arts and feel-good treatments, the U.S.A. has but a handful we can claim. At the forefront is high-tech spa equipment—from microdermabrasion (skin smoothing) and endomology (cellulite removal) and ionic detox machines to light therapy and vibrating relaxation chairs—that are often used by many spas in conjunction with ancient modalities. Then, of course, there’s CRANIO SACRAL THERAPY (CST), a 20th-century concept brought to light by American osteopath William Sutherland and developed by Michigan’s Dr. John Upledger. Today, one of the few places to offer CST is Oasis Day Spa (1 Park Ave., 1-212-254-7722). For about 60-minutes, clients receive a feather light touch on the head, neck, spine and shoulders, which is said to release intracranial fluids, thereby alleviating stress and even some orthopedic problems.

Using a vast variety of melting pot techniques from China, Hungary, Russia, India and other nations makes Downtown’s De_va Spa and Uptown’s Allure Day Spa two truly modern American spas with an international bent, offering traditional services steeped in ancient sensibilities. Of particular note is Deva Spa’s (425 Broome St., 1-212-274-8686) out-of-this-world HEAVEN SCENT aromatherapy treatment that zones in on the olfactory senses with amazing effects, which energize the spirit. Here, the deft hands of the massage therapist uses essential oils of jojoba, lavender, rosewood, orange, lemongrass, honey, ginger, grapefruit or lime bamboo, to send an unspoken message of well-being and relaxation directly to the brain. The result: You won’t want your heavenly session to ever end.

Used throughout history by Native Americans, among other cultures, stones are for many massage therapists, such as the practitioners at Allure Day Spa (139 E. 55th St., 1-212-644-5500), an essential tool of the trade. The HOT STONE MASSAGE serves to melt away whatever ails you. As the stones, which today often come from Asia, are carefully heated nearby, the therapist massages the client with long Swedish-style strokes and finds the knots and kinks that will need stone work. The hot stones (think heating-pad hot) are then used by the therapist instead of the fingers, elbows and palms to knead the tight muscles and release the stress. It’s said that one hot stone stroke is the equivalent to 10 hands-on massage strokes. Ahhh, yes.

From getting gloriously muddy to enjoying a different kind of rock and roll, there’s a fantastic world-class treatment around nearly every corner. Stress, tension, jet lag, as well as pains and aches, are simply no match against New York’s battalion of therapists, equipped with their arsenal of skills that will have sore muscles in retreat and you sighing in victorious relief. For more spa talk, visit innewyork.com/blog/appleslices.