PLATTSBURGH — Archer Bodyworks, a boutique wellness spa, is offering the gift of wellness and relaxation through new services including a cold plunge and infrared sauna, halotherapy, cryo slimming and more.
“We are always looking for something that no one else in the area is doing,” Dena Archer, owner of Archer Bodyworks said.
“That includes Halotherapy, Cryoskin and cold plunge.”
The Cold Plunge, installed this summer, can be set to any sub 50 degree fahrenheit temperature, with or without ice, and also features an essential oil diffuser.
The ice bath is often used in conjunction with the infrared sauna.
Many spa guests are encouraged to set a time goal for themselves depending on the temperature.
According to Archer, there is research that shows the benefits of combining the cold plunge and infrared sauna.
“I feel we’ve lost some of our humanity being at room temperature all the time. I mean think about it, our ancestors were in and out in extreme temperatures,” Archer said.
For example, a two-minute goal at 50 degrees might be a good place to start for a novice plunger, and then decreasing the temperature and increasing the plunge-time as guests become more acclimated to the temperature.
According to Archer, Some benefits of this service include increased circulation and cardiovascular health, a boost to the immune system and a natural release of endorphins.
“I am in the cold plunge room with them the whole time,” Archer said.
“I can either talk them through it if its their first time or they just tell me what their goal is and I let them know when it’s time.”
Down the hall, guests can find the “Dry Salt Therapy Room,” with a capacity of one to four individuals, the room features a brick wall made up of approximately 2,500 pounds of Himalayan Salt-bricks.
“Each brick is about five pounds. We thought we would be able to build it in one weekend. It ended up taking a month,” Archer said.
Halotherapy is a dry salt therapy that utilizes a halogenerator to grind and crush salt into micronized particles that are dispersed into the Salt Room via a dry salt aerosol that works to aid respiratory concerns and skin conditions.
Dry Salt Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that serves to cleanse the respiratory system and skin, which aids in relieving congestion, inflammation and skin conditions.
The salt is a 99.99 percent Pure Grade Sodium Chloride which is heated then ground and crushed into very tiny microparticles.
These dry aerosol microparticles of salt are then dispersed into the Salt Booth where they are inhaled and penetrate deep into the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli.
The non-inhaled salt particles fall onto the skin and are absorbed.
Dry salt acts like a sponge attracting foreign substances along its path through the respiratory tract, when inhaled, dry salt particles may help reduce inflammation in the entire respiratory tract and widen the airway passages.
A clean respiratory system naturally results in higher oxygen intake, increased energy and an improved immune system.
“This salt has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory traits,” Archer said.
According to Archer, this technique was discovered over a hundred years ago as salt-miners were reporting less respiratory conditions compared to other mining industries.
“I like to do this because I have chronic allergies. I usually have to take Claritin everyday all summer. But I haven’t had to take any this year,” she said.
Guests can spend up to 45 minutes in the Salt Booth.
Archer Bodyworks is now also home to two Cryoskin Machines, which according to their website, is a non-invasive treatment that slims and tones, and can help with pain relief. Cryoskin therapy treatment is similar to cryotherapy in that it works with your body’s natural systems to produce slimming and toning effects.
“Cryo Slimming is currently our most popular service,” Archer said.
“Specifically trimming the waistline. The chin, arms and legs are all popular spots too, but everyone wants a slimmer waist.”
This 30-minute session treatment is used to induce apoptosis, which is a programmed cell death manually through a massage technique.
The session begins with heat and then a steady decrease in temperature for the subzero cold sequence, then finished with a warming sequence for comfort and increased circulation.
This treatment can only be done once every 10 to 14 days, to give the body time to process everything through the lymphatic system.
Everyone on staff at Archer Bodyworks is trained to use the Cryoskin machine.
Also new at Archer Bodyworks is Compression Therapy, another non-invasive therapeutic technique designed to improve circulation and alleviate various medical conditions by applying controlled pressure to different parts of the body, according to the website.
This therapy utilizes specially designed compression devices that deliver intermittent or sequential pneumatic pressure to specific areas.
The process involves the use of inflatable sleeves or cuffs wrapped around the targeted body part, these sleeves are connected to a compressor that regulates the pressure and rhythm of the air pulses.
The therapy works by creating a cyclical compression and decompression effect, effectively mimicking the natural muscle pump mechanism.
Archer Bodyworks has compression boots for feet and legs, sleeves for the arms, and an attachment for the hips.
Archer, born and raised in the Adirondacks, has been a licensed massage therapist for 30 years.
“Most only last seven years or so, due to the physical toll on the body that massage requires,” she said.
“But I wanted to continue offering services without all the physical damage to the body.”
One aspect of her business Archer prides herself on is the pricing of services offered.
“With everything increasing in price recently, I wanted the idea of self care and wellness to be affordable,” she said.
“I wanted to make it within reach,”
The website will soon feature interactive descriptions and videos of each service offered at Archer Bodyworks.
For more information, a list of services and pricing visit https://archerspa.com/.