When Briana Borten opened a second Dragontree Holistic Day Spa in the Portland International Airport, she made very few changes to accommodate the unique location. “We are paying special attention to circulation since travelers have to sit for long periods of time. For instance, we use aromatherapy not just to relax but also to encourage better circulation,” says Borten. “Overall, though, we are trying to recreate the traditional day spa environment as much as possible, offering the same treatments and attention.”

Another thing that’s the same at both locations — a communal room for soothing foot treatments. “There are private treatment rooms for massages, facials, and waxing, as well as an ambient communal space with elevated couches for therapeutic foot baths, head, neck and shoulder massages, chair massages and a variety of foot treatments,” she explains.

Among the most popular foot treatments are massage, salt scrubs, and paraffin dips, but clients enjoy more exotic fare as well. “Garshana and Herbed Oil” is a brisk massage with raw silk gloves to remove dead skin and stimulate the immune system, followed by a warm oil wrap. “Pad Abyhangha” is a 30-minute rhythmic foot massage from India that focuses on key energy centers or “marma points.”

Borten says the spa’s clients are typically female, aged 30-50, but “we see lots of people in the health field industry especially dental hygienists and nurses, who are on their feet a lot. We also cater to groups in the community room.”

Staff Writer

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