Spa therapy is one of the most popular ways to relax, detox and release the tension of the hectic everyday life. Although many people believe it is a product of more recent times, it has long been proven to have its origins in antiquity.

The first evidence of its positive influence on human health dates back to that time. It is no coincidence that one of the theories associated with the origin of the word SPA is that it is an acronym of the Latin phrase Salus Per Aquam or “Health through Water”.

Where does spa therapy come from?

Many people associate spa therapies with the Roman baths. However, some of the earliest written accounts mentioning healing waters, hydrotherapy, sea therapy (thalassotherapy) and spa in general date back to Hippocrates.

He is among the founders of the idea that bathing is not only a hygienic ritual, but can also be used as part of a healing process. These types of therapies are known as spa therapies, but they are fundamental to spa therapies, which have also been talked about since antiquity. Various sources describe how, after a war, Asian and Roman kings and rulers were treated not only in a mud bath (part of a spa treatment) but also in a hot tub and sauna – some of the first spa therapies.

What is spa therapy?

Nowadays spa is a concept combining health, leisure, relaxation and beauty. Modern spa therapies are tailored to the active and hectic lifestyle we all lead. They can range from a simple massage to an all-day package of treatments at a specialized spa.

The real point of spa therapies, however, is to provide longer lasting health benefits using mainly natural resources and especially water, mainly mineral, sea or spring water.

What types of spa therapies are there?

Hydromassage

A hydro massage is a spa treatment that uses high-pressure jets of water to massage the body and improve blood circulation. It soothes, relaxes and relieves joint and muscle pain. The heat of the water in turn opens the pores and helps cleanse the skin.

Sauna

Sauna and steam bath are among the most familiar, preferred and common spa treatments and almost every hotel has them. The dry and hot air in the sauna predisposes to sweating and opening of the pores, which in turn allows the body to release a large part of the accumulated toxins, increases blood circulation, helps in banishing colds and relieves stiff muscles. Newer spas offer different types of sauna – salt, aroma, etc. In the salt sauna, for example, the heated air is enriched with salt particles with negative ions, which are good for the respiratory system. In the aroma sauna, the combination of steam and aromatic essential oils also has a therapeutic effect. Inhaling lavender, myrrh or eucalyptus essence is recommended for cleansing the lungs and respiratory tract. Unlike the traditional Finnish sauna, where the air is heated to 100°C, here it reaches an average of 70°C.

Steam bath

A steam bath is a form of thermotherapy that refreshes and tones the skin and helps relax the muscles. In a standard steam bath, steam is released under pressure into the room itself and it becomes hot and humid just like a sauna. In the aroma steam bath, however, light inhalation vapours enriched with aromatic flower extracts are injected, which have a beneficial, restorative and relaxing effect on the human body and which accelerate the release of waste substances and dead cells. The air is not as hot as in a standard steam bath and is therefore suitable for people who find it harder to tolerate high temperatures.

Both sauna and steam bath lift the spirit and make a person feel clean, refreshed, energized and even younger afterwards.

Hamam

The hammam is a procedure that mixes the traditions of the Roman and Byzantine baths. It is also called a Turkish bath and is defined as the “wet version” of the sauna because water is used in addition to hot plates for steaming.

The hammam improves blood circulation to the skin, stimulates its excretory function as well as metabolism. The room in which it is made is kept at a steaming temperature of around 50°C and the humidity is 70 to 100%.

Jacuzzi

Spending time in a Jacuzzi is certainly not just soaking in warm, bubbling water. It’s a tried-and-tested method and proven therapy for relieving stress, relaxing muscles and improving energy. It’s been used since ancient times and this is evidenced by the fact that even the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans built their palaces around natural hot springs which they used for healing purposes.

Massages

Massage is perhaps the most popular spa treatment and it is no coincidence that there is such a wide variety of types. Some of the more popular among them are:

Swedish massage is the classic and most common. It uses massage oil, which is sometimes enriched with different aromas to further aid relaxation. It can also be modified to be suitable for pregnant women to relieve pain and tension in the lower back, shoulders and legs.

Hot stone massage uses smooth, heated stones of different shapes and sizes. They can be placed on specific muscles or be an “extension” of the therapist’s hands to massage with. Typically, the massage therapist warms the body with traditional massage techniques, then places the hot stones in specific locations. The heat from them is deeply relaxing and allows muscle tension to be worked on at the deepest level. The heat from the stones improves circulation in the muscles, promotes healing from injuries, relieves any pain, and reduces stress and anxiety.

Reflex massage focuses on different parts of the body by applying pressure to specific points. This releases accumulated tension in a particular area of the body and improves circulation.

Watsu massage resembles the famous shiatsu massage, but it is performed in a special pool, where the water temperature should be as close as possible to that of the body. With the help of the therapist, the person relaxes as much as possible above the water, after which the masseur begins to “push” him in different directions. This allows the muscles to stretch well.
Massage helps to fight stress, removes cramps, improves sleep and has a restorative effect on various injuries.

According to experts, with a hectic daily routine, as 90% of active people have, it is good to undergo some spa therapy at least once a week, because they spend too much energy. This will prevent the build-up of too much stress, which is well known to cause great damage to the body, both physically and mentally.

Usually, however, neither the means nor the time are sufficient for even that much. But organising a spa break once a month, for example, seems more achievable. Besides, whenever you decide to plan one, you’ll never go wrong.

If you are wondering about the place, it is Grand Hotel Sveti Vlas. Not only because it was awarded with two prizes for Spa Hotel of the Year, but because it is one of the few that can offer a variety of over 150 spa rituals, performed by an international team of therapists from VICTORIA SPA from the island of St. Vlas. Bali, Thailand and the Philippines.