From Hollywood weight loss tricks to local methods for cellulite reduction and the latest gym trends, we San Diegans will try just about anything to lose weight.
We’ve shed inches with miracle body wraps, scheduled mysterious colonics, and sprinted as fast as we can at Barry’s Bootcamp. But, have these red carpet regiments given us the results we need? If you’re like me, you simply don’t have the time or budget to try any more pricy gimmicks, even if they do work for Jennifer Anniston.
Travel beyond the tabloid hype and look through the day spa fluff to discover Detox Spa of La Jolla – a leading wellness and alternative health care refuge that has served in-the-know locals for over 17 years. In just one trip to Detox Spa I finally learned what cellulite is and how to get rid of it (for good), dropped a few pounds, and awoke feeling internally revitalized from head to toe.
Though less charming around the edges than your average spa experience, an afternoon at Detox Spa of La Jolla is a truly educational and enlightening affair.
We’ve been trying everything to cleanse our bodies and lose weight, but we’re stuck at a stubborn ceiling that just won’t budge. This is because most spas pamper your senses but hardly any spas get to the root of your problems. At Detox Spa, it’s simple: remove congestion and help your body heal itself.
Your slimming body wraps may perfect your silhouette for tonight’s big party, but unless you take a true scientific approach and look beneath the surface, your cellulite will come right back after Sunday brunch. So, let’s take a look.
Sitting in the calming lobby of Detox Spa with owner Lisa Jones, I asked the golden questions: Why do I have this cellulite, why am I stuck at this weight despite my die-hard gym and dieting routines, and is a colonic the key to quick weight loss?
The vision of health and beauty at any age, Lisa Jones is, among many things, a firm believer in the significance of the lymphatic system for complete wellness and recovery.
What is it? The lymphatic system is the transportation highway for the immune and repair functions of the body. Referred to as the second circulatory system, it consists of a network of vessels carrying lymph (water, proteins, electrolytes) from the tissue fluids to the bloodstream, feeding every tissue and organ in the body, and eliminating toxins. The heart pumps blood through our system – but there is no pump for the lymph fluids, which is why lymph nodes and vessels can become clogged, making it hard for toxic waste matter to be effectively released.
Translation: If your lymph nodes are clogged, your lymph fluid builds up and becomes the cellulite you see lurking beneath your skin. No matter what you do to the surface, if you don’t unclog your lymph nodes, your lymphatic system will not flow properly, and two main side effects are: cellulite and stored toxins.
In Europe, where Lisa was trained, lymphatic decongestive therapy is the second most highly prescribed medical treatment and covered by insurance. In America, the lymphatic system is overlooked by most medical professionals and its treatments are considered holistic spa luxuries. This cultural difference, according to Lisa, is the source of much of our health problems in the U.S. – ranging from cellulite to breast and pancreatic cancers.
In response to all my golden questions, Lisa needed only one answer: Lymphatic Decongestive Therapy. Yes, a healthy diet is crucial for a healthy lifestyle. Yes, exercise is the best thing you can physically do to aid your lymphatic system’s natural circulation. Yes, colonics do remove waste which results in weight loss. But, in order to contact the problem head-on and achieve long-lasting results, you need to decongest your lymphatic system.
Lisa explains: “The body has an innate wisdom to be well. Detoxification is a primary natural function of the body. Through detoxification we emerge, we are renewed.”
If your goals are to reduce cellulite, cleanse, and lose weight (for good), Lisa recommends the Signature La Jolla Detox. This 3-in-1 treatment features: Bio-Energetic Lymphatic Therapy, Colon Hydrotherapy and the Detox Foot Spa.
In honor of San Diego pool party season, I took Lisa’s word and tried the Signature La Jolla Detox. And yes, I promise not to leave out any details…
Bio-Energetic Lymphatic Therapy
What it is: A class of technology known as vibrational science. Cells have an electromagnetic charge, and this application rebalances the charge of the cells to break up blockages through the repolarization of proteins. The instrument achieves its results on an energetic level, making the application a safe and effective tool for detoxification of a sluggish lymphatic system.
What it’s like: You lay on a massage table first on your back, then on your front side. The bio-energetic therapy instrument is a soft tool with a vibrating head. From your chest to your stomach and the back of your knees, the esthetician guides the instrument over your lymphatic drainage areas – 5 points, 90% on front of body. You feel a slight electric sensation, but the treatment is relaxing, and not at all uncomfortable. During the process you’re supposed to think of stressful or hurtful things in your life that you want to release from your body and mind. After the treatment, you feel completely relaxed. 45 minutes - 1 hour
Colon Hydrotherapy
What it is: A soakening and softening process and a gentle method of cleansing accumulated waste and toxins from the colon through the infusion of filtered warm water into the rectum. Colon cleansing allows for a cleaner bloodstream, improved digestion and better assimilation of vital nutrients.
What it’s like: You recline on a massage table on your back side with your head elevated, wearing a paper gown. As you lean on your left side, the therapist inserts a thin and clean disposable speculum into the anus. The hydrotherapy unit is attached to the wall in front of you, and the speculum is attached to the unit by a long clear plastic hose. The therapist releases warm water to fill the colon, causing the muscles of the colon to contract and push feces out through the hose. The therapist releases water to fill the colon 1-3 times during one therapy session, and may also apply pressure to the abdomen with a vibrating massager.
If you choose to look you can see the cleansing and learn about what it means. But, you don’t have to. You do not smell anything and there is no mess. The waste is disposed through the hydrotherapy unit to a closed system. After the therapy, you finish the cleansing in the bathroom. The treatment is not painful, but it the sensation is uncomfortable, and it’s different for every patient every time. After, your stomach feels completely empty and most patients do immediately lose weight due to water loss and waste removal. 45 minutes - 1 hour
Detox Foot Spa
What it is: A sophisticated foot bath spa created to use living energy to realign and balance the bio-energetic levels in water that is then used by the cells. The negative ions created during a session are similar to those found in hot springs and other naturally charged water sources. The process assists in eliminating the accumulated toxins from the body’s lymphatic system through the 2,000 eccrine sweat glands in each foot.
What it’s like: You soak both feet into what appears to be a normal warm water foot bath pail. After a few minutes, you begin to see the water change colors and particles, toxins, chemical traces, and even bubbles emerge in the water around your feet. You don’t feel anything beyond a subtle boost in energy, but the visual changes in the water assure you the detox is working. If you’re a sushi-addict, expect parasite bubbles in your bath. 45 minutes
The Signature La Jolla Detox is a 3-hour treatment that leaves you feeling completely cleansed and rejuvenated from within. You may think this new energy will fade away hours later, but now, after two whole weeks, I still feel the inspiring effects of my detox.
From the gym to the farmers’ market, we do the best we can to lose weight and stay healthy in San Diego. But as we get older, we need that extra push from within. And now you know what that is. Get the waste out and start fresh with a new education and perspective from Detox Spa of La Jolla.
Commonly treated symptoms: Cellulite, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, breast congestion, prostate health, constipation, lupus, candida, asthma, hormonal imbalance, parasites.
Detox Spa of La Jolla also offers: Liver Detox, Cellulite Therapy, Lymphatic Oxygen Facelifting, Pure Oxygen Therapy, Surgery Healing, Wellness Coaching, Alkalarian Lifestyle.
Discover San Diego Hotels