Beat It

At one time, being given the name of the French beauty therapist, Martine de Richeville, was like a secret that only a very good friend would give you. De Richeville specializes in rémodelage, a technique that involves pinching and kneading to break up fat deposits and flush toxins through lymphatic drainage. With regular sessions, devotees notice a slimmer, tighter silhouette. While this sounds like the stuff of French myth, the results are actually quite real. The New York-based dermatologist Dr. Ellen Marmur says that manual remodeling delivers a major circulation boost, adding that de Richeville’s combination of massage and acupressure can improve oxygenation, reduce pain, relax muscles and possibly allow for better realignment and rejuvenation of the body. In fact, Dr. Marmur describes the method as similar to one physical therapists use to help speed healing and increase tone. And patients rave about it.

With all the growing enthusiasm, it’s no surprise that the secret about de Richeville is out- the veteran practitioner now flies from Paris to New York City every few months to perform her signature treatment at a newly opened space within Saks Downtown. But for those who live outside the areas de Richeville services, there are a growing number of at-home body-contouring devices hitting the market. The Fascia Blaster ($89), for example, is a self-treatment tool first developed for professional athletes that’s now being embraced by wellness enthusiasts. The baton-like stick is covered with nubs or claws that, when rolled over your body, help loosen the fascia- the connective tissue around muscles and organs- to ease stiffness and, as an added bonus, dimpling of the skin that can lead to cellulite. Could such futuristic innovations be reason enough to skip the gym? Dr. Marmur says these tools can lead to an overall sleeker appearance, but the effects might be short term. Maybe you shouldn’t completely break up with your elliptical after all…