HOUGHTON - "Business has definitely been building," Jessica Jukuri said with excitement as she looked back at the first year of her business. "At first, we were hoping to get a phone call or two a day."

Jukuri is the owner and lead massage therapist for J. Jukuri Spa in Houghton, which is celebrating their first year in business this spring.

The spa is located in the same building as Century 21, near Shopko and the Holiday Inn Express. Its visibility is something that has been very beneficial.

Often, people will come in and say they drive by every day, Jukuri said. For those new customers, they have a lot to learn, as J. Jukuri Spa isn't just another place to get a massage.

"What really sets us apart are our skin care services and add-ons," Jukuri said.

This includes facials, body wraps and the only far infrared sauna in the area. All three options are relaxing, healthy options for people of all ages.

The body wraps, performed by aesthetician Amy Thyer, are a full-body treatment to detoxify, exfoliate or hydrate, while the option to add a facial is very beneficial to the general health of the skin on a person's face.

The infrared sauna is the most unique item that the J. Jukuri spa has, and it's something that has become very popular.

"People really like it before a massage," Jukuri said.

She said that the heat is more penetrating than a traditional sauna. Because of that, it intensifies all of the benefits that a traditional sauna can provide. Jukuri also mentioned that some of her clients have used the sauna as a way to help with weight loss.

J. Jukuri Spa also offers traditional Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone massages.

"Many people that have massages regularly will want deep tissue because it's the most beneficial," she said.

Often, people who are undergoing physical therapy or chiropractic care will find it useful to get massages, something Jukuri said her staff is happy to help out with.

Kristena Baakko is one of J. Jukuri's two massage therapists. Baakko offers Swedish and deep tissue massages while specializing in reflexology and cranial sacral.

Reflexology is strictly working with the feet. According to Baakko, there are 1,000 nerves on the feet, and working out the "crunchies" in the feet ends up helping the entire body feeling more relaxed.

"I think people get more relaxed during this than massages sometimes," Baakko said.

Cranial sacral is focused on the head and vertebrae where bones have natural movements that often are limited when the head is tight. The goal is to release the tension and relax the pulse. This is especially useful with children who struggle to sleep as well as autistic children.

To see a full list of the services offered by Jukuri Spa, visit their Web site at jjukurispa.com or call 482-2200.

Michael H. Babcock can be reached at mbabcock@mininggazette.com.