Medi-Connection Medi Spa - Moreleta Park, Pretoria

  

Reviewed by: Cat Pritchard

Its not often you come across a place where science and beauty meet in a holistic health and wellness package. Well at Medi-Connection they do. Like the name suggests Medi-Connection brings together a variety of "medical" experts, including a biokineticist, dietician and nursing sister to offer its clients a well-balanced approach to beauty analysis, enhancement and maintenance. But don't get me wrong. You can just as well pop into this spa and guest house for a pure pampering session as you can a detoxification or weight loss programme.

From the moment you walk onto the contemporary, African-styled premises you know you are in expert hands. Heading the trio of female specialists is the owner Wilna Joubert, a qualified Somatologist with International Certificates (ITEC) in Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Anatomy & Physiology, Beauty and Health Care, and Massage Therapy. A hands-on director, Wilna is also a fine example of what a healthy attitude can do for your overall health and wellbeing.

The thing that really separates Medi-Connection from the usual spas is really its medical approach to wellness. Even before I was put in the capable hands of the biokineticist, Rita Hanekom, I was asked to complete a brief medical history. I then underwent a body analysis (lipotrack) and discussion as to what exercises I should follow to get my body (and perhaps mind) on track to health and happiness.

What really made me happy was the food. It was, of course, healthy but thankfully in portion size as well as presentation. Muesli and fruit for breakfast; chicken crepes and salad for lunch. So if you are booked in for a day spa, expect more than a toppling tower of celery and carrot sticks. I guess this is one of the benefits of having both a full-time executive chef and assistant taking care of your every dietary need.

Back in the therapy room with Rita, I was treated to a fantastic top and tail treatment, but literally. She started with a traditional Indian Head Massage and ended with a toe-tingling Reflexology Massage that left me wondering about some of my more sensitive areas.

From the traditional to the somewhat technological, my next few treatments involved me stepping into an ozone tank, onto a fit massage machine and sweating it out in a Far-Infared Sauna. With each, Rita carefully explained what I was to expect as well as the long-term benefits. Of course, if you want long-term benefits you have to use the treatments on a long-term basis. I must say that I was very interested in trying out the Ozone Therapy as I have often read of stars like Madonna swear by its youth-enhancing benefits. Ozone Therapy is not the "silver bullet" as they say, but it is well-known to stimulate your body on a cellular level, thereby enhancing your immune and normalising your hormone and enzyme levels.

Try it out, if you don't mind sitting in hot, steamy tank for 30 minutes with only your head exposed to the outside world. In all these therapies, I can't really speak of the long-term benefits but I can say they made scientific sense and I did feel good afterwards.

I just have to mention that, unlike many places that offer minor cosmetic surgery procedures like Fillers, Mesotherapy and Botox, Medi-Connection actually has the proper medical expertise and personnel to conduct these professionally. This is actually a legal requirement that many spas simply bypass. I think this really speaks to their ethical and holistic approach to wellness.

It was quite obvious after just a few minutes with Rita that the women at Medi-Connection really know their Science. But more than that, they know that sometimes you just need a calm, relaxed atmosphere and a tender touch to relax and rejuvenate. Let's just say that this tense Jo'burg reviewer left with a healthier body and state of mind, but also a body composition report to help maintain this better state well into the future.

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