Since antiquity, mineral spring and thermal mud were used to soothe and treat various ailments. This constitutes the basis of spa therapy, which has been used for more than 5,000 years to relax and de-stress, so as to make people feel good both the body and mind, and to achieve maintenance and bodybuilding.

According to De Vierville, the term “spa” came from the old French word “espa”, meaning “fountain”. Another view is that it was derived from the Latin verb “Spagere”, meaning “to pour forth”. Still another view is that it originated from a combination of the initials of the Roman words “Sanus Per Aquam (Health by water)”, meaning “health through water”.

In the early days, spa therapy was narrowly defined as spa beauty and wellness. Spa in different forms, including cold-water baths, hot-water baths, alternating hot- and cold-water baths, sea baths, hot spring baths, tap water baths, each bath can to a certain extent relax, ease the tension, tired muscles and nerves, eliminate toxins from the body, prevent and treat diseases, in addition to spa with a variety of aromatic oil massage, will accelerate fat burning, with a slimming effect. Today, many countries are practicing water therapy. The Dead Sea in Israel, the Kangal hot spring in Turkey, and the Blue Lagoon in Iceland are examples of unique and special balneotherapy places.

In modern times, spa therapy, in a broad sense, encompasses the familiar elements, including mud therapy, thalassotherapy, aromatherapy, five senses therapy, alternative therapy, phytotherapy, lymphatic drainage, acupuncture, Thai massage, Swedish massage, Japanese Shiatsu, and other more specific spa therapies around the world, such as snowflake spa, beer spa, wine spa, chocolate spa, oil spa, snake spa, etc, Spa therapy mainly through the five major sensory functions of the human body, namely sound (music with power to cure), taste (herbal tea, healthy diet), touch (massage, skin care), smell (natural flowers aromatic essential oils), sight (comfortable natural or imitation natural landscape, humanistic environment) and reflection (inner relaxation), to achieve a full range of mind and body cultivation, through the unification of essence, vitality (Qi), and spirit, spa treatments can achieve beauty, healthy skin, speed up metabolism, promote sweating, relieve stress, and treat illness.

In short, spa treatments heal and nourish the mind, body and spirit. People go to spa for fitness, stress management, peace of mind, pampering and pleasure, and health and wellness.

Riyaz, N., & Arakkal, F. R. (2011). Spa therapy in dermatology. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 77, 128. [Link]
Matz, H., Orion, E., & Wolf, R. (2003). Balneotherapy in dermatology. Dermatologic therapy, 16(2), 132-140. [Link]

Image by Rachel Claire