Spa Glossary
| Acupressure: | Ancient Chinese and Japanese technique to release muscle tension by applying pressure to specialised points on the body |
| Acupuncture: | Ancient Chinese treatment of pain (or disease) by painlessly inserting the tips of needles to regulate the life energy, imparting a relaxed and invigorating effect. Also available by electro and laser treatments. |
| Aerosol Inhalation: | Misting of seawater, treated with specialist products, to clear the respiratory passages. |
| Algotherapy: | Application of seaweed which re-mineralise and thin while causing sweating |
| Aromatherapy: | Body, face, and/or scalp massage treatments that assist in improving circulation through use of aromatic essential oils extracted from plants, trees, and flowers |
| Balneotherapy: | Warm mud or thermal baths, usually with ozone, physiotherapy and underwater exercises, which detoxifies the skin and boosts circulation |
| Body Composition Analysis: | An evaluation process used to determine the ratio of body fat against lean body mass. Results aid in establishing individual nutrition and exercise programs |
| Body Scrub/Exfoliation: | Invigorating deep cleansing body treatment which improves circulation by exfoliating dead skin cells and nourishing the skin |
| Body Wrap: | The body is wrapped in hot linens, plastic sheets, and blankets. Heat penetrates the skin resulting in muscle relaxation and skin revitalisation with toxins and excess fluid eliminated from the body |
| Bust Treatment: | Exfoliation treatment followed by application of specific products and specialised massage to tone, firm and strengthen the skin for an improved bust shape |
| Cathiodermie: | Mild electrical current that deep cleansed the skin, oxygenating the outer skin layer |
| Cellu M6: | Electrical driven massage which folds and sucks skin between two motorised rollers, aiding lymph flow and circulation. Used as a detoxification treatment or to aid stress relief |
| Colonic Irrigation: | The washing out of the bowel by a gentle enema, (a liquid injected through the anus that stimulates evacuation). |
| Electrotherapy: | Techniques to relieve aching muscles and rheumatism, based on the use of different electric frequencies with a pain soothing, anti-inflammatory action |
| Facial: | A deep cleansing treatment of the face, neck, and shoulders |
| Fango / Mud: | Made from solid clay, thermal water and an organic component (such as algae, bacteria and protozoa). Matured in vats to reach a final product rich in goodness |
| Fangotherapy: | Mineralised mud application, best over a fortnight’s treatment, fights respiratory problems |
| Faradic Exercise: | Passive electrically controlled exercise to tone and firm the body |
| Floatation Tank: | Relieves stress and fatigue. Covered bath containing a saturated solution of Epsom salts in water allowing the body to float effortlessly. |
| Galvanic Treatments: | Encourages the absorption of liquids into the skin by using current conducting clay and electrodes to firm specific parts of the body. |
| G5 Massage: | Deep massage used on different parts of the body by various electronic applicator heads to relieve fatigue and tension. |
| Hellerwork: | Restores the body’s balance. Combines manipulation of connective body tissue with discussion on effects of mental attitudes on the body. |
| Herbal Wrap: | A body treatment used to eliminate impurities and toxins while promoting muscle relaxation. The body is wrapped in sheets soaked in a heated herbal solution, plastic, sheets, and blankets. |
| Holistic Health: | Alternative approach to health and fitness that focuses on lifestyle, health, mental well-being, and spiritual awareness. |
| Hydrotherapy: | Alternate use of hot and cold water, changes boost circulation and increase metabolic rate. |
| Hydro-massage: | Relaxing and sedative massage by underwater cyclic jets |
| Ionithermie: | Range of facial and slimming treatments for correction of cellulite, using gentle galvanic stimulants with thermal clay and biologically active natural ingredients. |
| Iridology: | Uses the study of the iris as a form of diagnosis, which can reveal genetic weaknesses and characteristics in the body which may cause health problems |
| Karwendel: | Use of fossil oils to relax and refresh the body, beneficial for poor skin conditions. |
| Kinesiology: | Used to diagnose food allergies and other conditions using acupressure massage and testing muscle strength to check energy flow |
| Kneipp Therapy: | Cold water treatment, with the body stimulated by the cold which improves circulation, metabolism and strengthens the nervous system |
| Kur Bath: | Hungarian detoxifying, therapeutic bath that contains a high concentration of minerals drawn from a spring more than 2,000 metres below the earth’s surface. |
| Loofah Body Scrub: | A full body exfoliating treatment using a loofah sponge and mixture of sea salt and warm almond or avocado oil. |
| Inhalation: | Thermal vapours / steam from thermal waters. |
| Jacuzzi (or Roman Bath): | Emulsion of air in water, causing the oxygenation of tissue and general feeling of well-being. |
| Lymph drainage: | Lymphatic system is responsible for removal of waste and toxins from the body. |
| Massage (Swedish/Thai): | Balancing massage on energy flows within the body, offers feeling of well-being after treatment. |
| Paraffin Wax Baths: | Warm wax brushed over the body which is then wrapped up to perspire in order to draw out toxins, cleans the pores and soften the skin. |
| Pool Gymnastics: | Gentle exercise of the joints in hot seawater, when the body is no more than 10% of its normal weight. |
| Pressure Therapy: | Using special boots, varicose veins are treated through a system of gradually increased pressure |
| Re-education: | A specific follow-up to each seawater treatment program, which improves physical recuperation |
| Reflexology: | Pressure point foot and hand massages that improves circulation and lymph drainage and relieves tension throughout the body. Thumb and finger pressure is applied to specific areas that correspond to internal organs. |
| Rolfing: | Structural re-balancing treatments developed to improve movement through intense manipulation of rigid muscles, bones, and joints. |
| Salt Glow: | A cleansing treatment used to remove dead skin and improve circulation by rubbing a mixture of coarse salt and aromatic oils on the body. |
| Salt Rub: | Invigorating, brisk body rub immediately after showering with salt massaged all over the body. |
| Sauna: | Heat treatment in a wooden lined room to make the body perspire, which opens the pores and leaves the body glowing after a cold shower |
| Sea Mud: | Treatment against inflammation and pain throughout the body, or in a specific problem area, which slowly and gently exercises the joints. |
| Shiatsu: | A Japanese acupressure massage technique where pressure is applied by the therapist's fingers, palms, and thumbs to specific points on the body. The body's inner powers of energy and healing are both stimulated and re-balanced. |
| Shower (Scottish/Thai): | High pressure seawater massage that stimulates circulation. According to the technique used, it helps firm and tone muscles or can be adapted to the treatment of cellulite |
| Sitz Baths: | Hip bath divided into two, one half filled with hot water, the other half with cold water, whereby feet are immersed in the cold water, whilst sitting in the hot water, then the process is alternated, which improves circulation. |
| Sophrology: | Treatment of physical and psychological complaints by mental visualisation relaxation techniques |
| Spa: | Originally a health resort where there was a nearby curative mineral spring |
| Steam Bath: | Heat treatment in own enclosure, with steam promoting perspiration and removing body toxins |
| Steam Cabinet: | Head remains outside cabinet while rest of body perspires inside. Warmer than a steam room. |
| Tai Chi: | An ancient Chinese martial arts discipline where mental focus and controlled graceful movements are combined to unite the mind and body. |
| Thalassotherapy: | Treatments based on use of the therapeutic use of seawater and seaweed which include algae baths, masks and wraps. |
| Thermal Water: | Hot water rich in bromide, gases, iodine and salts |
| Turkish Baths: | Series of increasingly hot steam rooms complete with marble slabs for reclining as the body perspires. Reverse procedure before a cold shower |
| Underwater Therapy: | Benefits of massage without physical pulsation, improving circulation. |
| Water Massage Bed: | A relaxing, sedative massage of seawater spray via a ramp of threadlike jets whilst in a reclining position. |
