Economic doldrums may persist, but that's not stopping many Kentlands residents from treating themselves to some personal tender loving care during the holiday season, and it seems that there can never be too many self-healing services. Or so it seems to Wendy Luo.   

"Business is good," said the co-owner of Ace Spa, a foot massage center that just opened four weeks ago, adding that over 60 people have tried out their services—specializing in reflexology, an alternative medical treatment that involves massaging hands and feet. 

Never mind that within three blocks along Main Street there are at least eight stores that provide massage, manicures, yoga sessions, zumba classes, and another reflexology purveyor. 

"What we offer is unique," Luo said, arguing that reflexology isn't simply feeling good during a foot massage session. Rather, certified specialists concentrate on the pressure points of the feet, with each part of the foot corresponds to a specific part of the body. 

So a sharp pain by the arches of the feet may signal a battered kidney from too much drinking. Or if getting massaged below the little toe causes discomfort, it may mean the shoulders are stressed out from hunching over a keyboard for hours on end. Ace Spa starts its treatments with some serious shoulder massaging too, which could benefit desk jockeys. 

If you're eager to find out just what ails you by having a professional tinker with the soles of your feet and a major back rub, you have another option in this part of town. Off the other end of Main Street on Market Street is Relax Express, which offers foot reflexology as well as whole-body Chinese acupressure. 

The treatments help "balance hormones, relieve stress, and lose weight," said Chrystelle Chen of Relax Express, which just opened in January. Chen added that many of her clients come in with thyroid problems as well as intestinal and kidney problems, all of which she says can be improved with repeated reflexology sessions. 

Still, a foot massage or a back rub simply isn't everyone's cup of tea.

"I don't want to have my feet touched around," said Suzanne Blankenship, who was walking past Rose Nail Salon, two doors down from Ace Spa. "I'd just like to get a pedicure and make my feet look good." 

Ace Reflexology:

321 Main Street

Tel (301)990-8896

$28 for 30 minute session

Relax Express:

235 Market Street

Tel (301)300-2571

$30 for 30 minute total body session