The Art of Business
Up Close and Personal:
River Rock Health Spa’s attention to details
by Mala Hoffman; photos by Dion Ogust

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When Kingston Regional Health Care Systems (KRHCS), which oversees the Kingston and Margaretville hospitals, wanted to break into the complementary medicine field, it tapped former acupuncturist Shellie Goldstein to develop a plan.

“The health care system realized that the direction of health care was changing, that it was going to more of these types of services,” Goldstein explains. “The baby boomers were turning 55 and were approaching health preventatively, rather than waiting until they got ill. They’re taking more of a proactive stance that includes massage, yoga, eating better. All of these types of services are being considered health care, and we had none of that in our system.”

With the support of the organization, in May 2001 Goldstein began to hash out a business plan to fill that need, which ultimately led to the creation of the recently unveiled River Rock Health Spa on Ricks Road in Woodstock. Set in a building already owned by KRHCS, the spa features soundproofing, French tile, subtle lighting, and a waterfall over a panel of actual river rocks in the reception area. “We hired a design consultant to come in,” Goldstein adds. “We knew health care, but we didn’t know how to create a relaxing, soothing environment.”

According to Goldstein, who serves as the health spa’s director as well as the director of integrative services for KRHCS, although it features traditional spa services such as facials, body treatments, and massages, what sets River Rock apart is its therapeutic orientation. “We have an Integrative Learning Program. This is what separates us from a spa,” she points out. “We’ll be holding a series of education classes ranging from how to eat healthy to how to live a better life.”

The philosophy is carried through all aspects of the spa’s operations, from the products used during the treatments, which are made of natural ingredients and are not tested on animals, to bamboo flooring and countertops and cleaning products that are biodegradable. And though it may offer manicures and pedicures, Goldstein says the health spa uses nontoxic products and incorporates reflexology and massage into the process. “We researched and researched and researched everything,” she adds.

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It was through research, in fact, that the initial concept of a separate, stand-alone spa was developed. After looking at a number of hospitals in the metropolitan area, and seeing what they did in order to incorporate a complementary medicine component, Goldstein says she learned a lot. “We purposely took it out,” she explains. “Looking at what they had done and seeing that many of them kept it on-site, we also saw that a lot of them fail. We had to ask why? Clearly we’re not unique in realizing that these systems can benefit the population. But if you put it into a medical setting, what gets lost is the primary thing that people are seeking—a soothing environment, personalized attention, and a sacred space.”

In trying to maintain that idea, Goldstein has ensured that each room at River Rock can be customized in terms of music and climate control, and that a shower and a sauna, as well as a relaxation room, are available to each client. Yoga and meditation classes are also limited to six people. “We don’t just kick you out when you’re done,” she adds. “Everyone’s comfort is their own comfort, and we try to be as flexible as possible to help you take care of your health.”

The spa will offer the following types of massage: Swedish, deep tissue, pre/post natal, river rock stone, reflexology, manual lymphatic drainage, Reiki, and jin shin jytsu, which is a “gentle balancing massage.” There are also a variety of facials and body wraps, including marine body peel, thalasso (seaweed) wrap and color clay envelopments, which also come with the Vichy shower, basically a room with six shower heads that douse you while you lie on a table. Goldstein was particularly proud of the spa’s two “revolutionary appliances.” One, a Chromapunteur, uses color-light therapy to coordinate with the chakra points, and the other, a Biodraneur, is a lymphatic draining system that can be used in conjunction with any of the facials.

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“We have a great, very experienced staff. They are all licensed and insured in their fields and they’ve had years of experience.” Goldstein added that they have been training the staff since the early summer in terms of the product line the spa will be featuring.

Services are available for both men and women and can be obtained either on an individual basis or as part of a package. One selection, the River Rock sampler, is good for a year and basically includes “one of everything,” Goldstein says. “It’s an opportunity to come in and experience all of the different things we offer. People may not know if they prefer Swedish or deep tissue massage. This gives them a chance to try them both out.”

Once people do try them, Goldstein is convinced that they will come back. “Some people don’t know how much they need to relax,” she adds. “There is a link between preventative care and heading down that road to illness, when your body is saying ‘Help me!’ When the body says it needs something, the first step is to pay attention, the second is to find out what it needs.”

River Rock Health Spa, 62 Ricks Road in Woodstock, is scheduled to open November 6, and will be thereafter open every day but Tuesday. For more information about classes and programs, call 679-7800.