I don't know if it was the irritating leaf in the swimming pool, the way my hair was messy from driving with the sunroof down in my mate's Porsche the night before, or the way my sleep was interrupted once again by a blazing ray of sunshine streaming onto my face... but something was stressing me out. Dubai tends to do that at times, right? Well, ok, hours sitting up straight in a swivel chair and the chores of monotony can sometimes take their toll, even if life outside the office is slightly nicer than in other cities.

With cleansing my spirit and soul in mind, I cabbed it down to the Natural Healing Wellness Spa on Friday, to test out their skills on my stresses. I'd never had a massage before and to be honest, I was a little dubious. I'd heard stories of grown men squealing, as giant women stomped like angry elephants on their lower backs. I'd read of twisted limbs and agonized moans coming from the air conditioning units, as worried family members sat in wait outside. Yup, I was apprehensive alright, and not entirely sure how much more weight could be placed on my shoulders after a strenuous battle with my shopping bags that very morning. Carrefour's a killer when you're car-less.

I was pretty relieved to hear nothing but the calming trickle of a waterfall as I stepped inside the Wellness Spa. It smelled good too - kind of like you imagine Paris Hilton's bathroom might smell, once she's made good use of all those freebies she gets sent - only minus the faint whiff of puppy-dog as Tinkerbell uses her toilet.

There were two other guys waiting to be seen, filling out forms and resisting temptation to pick up the girly magazines. I helped myself to some water with fresh orange slices and marveled at the wallpaper, which makes the place look as though it's been built from little stones. I kind of want it for my bedroom.

After a few minutes, my "healer" showed me to a little room, where Chinese music echoed soothingly around more faux-stone walls. I looked around for the elephant women, but thankfully they were well hidden. Once face down on the bed, the work began - an oriental massage involving a physical ironing of my entire body. She started on my back and I felt knots I didn't even know I had become untied as she kneaded, pressed and prodded at my shoulder-blades. "You might feel pain now, but afterwards you'll feel better" she promised (she was right!)

Onto my legs and a hundred miles of shopping mall stresses poured straight out, recharging my batteries and rendering me ready to go! My arms were rubbed free of troubles, the ‘chi' was stretched from my feet and as I let my mind wander, I was aware of how floaty light I felt at the mercy of her magical hands.

Hot oils were involved, as were hot towels. I can't say I've ever really had the pleasure of either before - well, hot towels maybe, but only those mini ones you're handed on aeroplanes, and they're hardly soothing on your soul when you're about to soar to 30,000 feet. Nope, these ones lifted my spirits, in a non-jet fuelled fashion and 45 minutes later, as I stepped back into my clothes, I felt as though a spell had been cast on me and I vowed not to twist my body and mind to such epic proportions again.

There are a host of treatments you can get at this highly personal spa, all by fully trained experts. Try the acupressure, the skin treatments, some foot reflexology or enroll on a slimming program. Located on Al Wasl Road, with a view of the Burg Al Arab, there are worse ways to spend a few hours than at the Natural Healing Wellness Spa - especially if they continue to hide the elephants!

Rebecca Wicks

What we tried:

Oriental Full Body Healing with Footwork
A powerful combination of Tuina, An mo, Dian Xue and Chi Healing massage techniques. Using herbal oils, integrated techniques with footwork on your back, this treatment accesses the meridians and acupoints on the body to improve overall body circulation. An excellent treatment to relieve stress, muscle strain and breathing discomforts, this treatment speeds up the healing of injuries, strengthens the body's resistance to disease and eases emotional distress.

Available in 90 minute and 60 minute sessions: from Dhs 230

Offer of the month
This October, book any treatment of Dhs350 or over and receive a 30 minute facial or foot reflexology voucher, free for your next visit.

Natural Healing Wellness Spa
P.O. Box 119054, Villa 1183, Al Wasl Road, Dubai, U.A.E.
Phone: +9714 3483896