Wellness is 'vital' at spa
By Mac McEntire/ Staff Writer
Thursday, February 16, 2006

Anyone looking to find a new way to relax, deal with stress, develop some positive energy, or just take care of that sore back will find plenty to offer at Vitality Wellness, a new spa now open at 2 Linden St.

The spa is co-owned by Dr. Anne Marie Marcellino, who has also owned and operated Alive & Well Chiropractic at the same location. Marcellino opened up that business office six years ago in Reading, and even then was thinking of ways to help others that dealt with total body wellness, not just the neck and back.  My ultimate dream was to have a health and wellness center," she said.

To realize this dream, Marcellino called upon her sister, Christina Oliva, a licensed esthetician whose skills have involved working closely with lasers and intense pulse light systems. She is certified in removing unwanted hair and performing photo rejuvenation. She has also specialized in advanced type exfoliates such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels as well as other spa sciences.

Working together, Marcellino and Oliva designed and planned the spa, which had its grand opening on Dec. 3. "It's been fun," Oliva said. "It's been a real adventure."  Marcellino said the philosophy behind the spa and its treatments is that of prevention. Patients are encouraged to take care of themselves now to avoid potential health problems in the future.  "It's about feeling good on the inside and the outside," Marcellino said.

When visitors first enter the spa, they find themselves in a comfortable waiting area next to a boutique, where a number of items are on sale, including Vitality's own line of skin care products and aromatherapy essential oil blends. "When we created this, we asked ourselves, 'What is our ultimate spa experience?" Oliva said.

For massage services, Vitality goes all out to make sure customers are comfortable, with heated beds and water pillows that contour to the head and neck. The spa offers relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, and more. Couples' packages are also available.  "It's a little escape," Oliva said. "People leave here feeling a lot more balanced."  Sessions are customized for visitors, who can select their own music, and who have a private room to relax for 10-15 minutes before the session begins.  "Personal touches matter to people," Oliva said.

When providing skin care, Vitality Wellness offers a high-tech approach. Thanks to a UV camera, experts at the spa can see blemishes under the skin and remove them before they become visible. This method, called "photo rejuvenation," uses intense pulsed light (IPL), to rid the skin of sun damaged brown spots and unsightly spider veins around the nose and cheeks.  "It's not just a fluff and buff," Oliva said. "You can see results in 1-3 sessions."

Spa services are available Sunday through Thursday, with classes such as yoga and belly dancing on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.  Other services include steam therapy, which Oliva said cleans toxins out of the body, as well as Reiki, natural nail therapy, make up, and permanent hair removal.  "You can't replace your body," Marcellino said. "You have to take care of it and appreciate what you have now before it gets ruined." 

For a more light-hearted offering, the spa also has a large lounge, where customers can come in groups for "spa parties" and receive various treatments at once, in a fun, festive atmosphere.  "You can play some music or have a funky class in here," Marcellino said about the lounge. "You make it a lot of fun."

Prices vary from $45 to $175, based on the services and the length of the appointment. For a complete list of services and prices, visit www.vitalitywellnesspa.com. To make an appointment, call 781-942-0098. 

"The perfect spot became available right above the office," Marcellino said.  "It's like everything happened just right for us," Oliva said.