Spas were enjoyed by a privileged few. A pregnant woman wouldn't dream of getting a massage for fear of hurting her unborn child. But new attitudes prevail in the '90s.
Therapeutic massage focuses on muscle fiber.
New mothers appreciate the olfactory stimulation of aromatherapy. And infants respond well to the gentle, loving touch of a massage therapist. Things began to change in the '80s when more members of the middle class enjoyed disposable income. As wage-earners began to lavish money on themselves, fitness training became popular. Health clubs flourished, and the demand for massages, facials, and other pleasures of spa culture increased, generating an appetite that has continued to grow.