8 Spa Treatments That Will Positively Impact You. Number 6 Will Surprise You!
Going to the spa is a nice little getaway from the craziness of everyday life’s tasks and responsibilities. It is relaxing, fun, and feels like a breath of fresh air. While it may be sad to leave your blissful escape and return to the real world, there are many benefits that visitors can take away from the experience that will stay with them for a long time. This includes physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Before we discuss the benefits, let us get into the origins of spas to have an understanding of what makes them so healing.
The origins of spas
Spas have largely become associated with healing practices. No one knows for sure how this association came about, but there are a few clues. One is due to the word’s etymology. “Spa” is an acronym of the Latin phrase “Salus per Aquam” which means “health from water,” which is exactly what many spas do–heal you with water. Another theory is that the word “spa” is named after the Belgian village, Spa, where hot mineral springs were used by Roman soldiers to treat sore muscles and wounds from being in battle.
While many people think that spas come from the Romans and their ancient baths, there is evidence that suggests spas have been around thousands of years before. Romans used baths to heal their wounds and viewed it as a form of rest and relaxation, but this was between 27 B.C. and 14 A.D. The Greeks had been using baths way before this. Greek philosopher Hippocrates, who was alive around 400 B.C. (over 2000 years ago), proposed that people become sick due to an imbalance of bodily fluids, and as a result should have a bath and scented massage everyday to heal themselves. We see the influence of balneotherapy, also known as the use of bathing to treat disease, today through mineral-infused treatments, using a hot tub after swimming, or swimming in seawater which is known as thalassotherapy.
In 1326, Collin le Loup, an ironmaster from Belgium, discovered chalybeate springs, which are natural mineral springs containing iron salts, in Liège, Belgium. Due to this, a health resort came about and the term “spa” began to refer to any health resort around the springs and became associated with curing disease. Other rituals beyond these locations were being practiced as well, such as ryokans in Japan, hammams in Turkey, and Finnish saunas and steam rooms, which were growing in popularity around the world as well.
Spas have become very popular today and are focused on mental and physical health and wellness more than ever. For example, massages aim to heal muscle aches and pains, facials work to cleanse the skin, and steam rooms help with detoxifying. Other spa locations include yoga, fitness, or meditation centers, and even include food and cafes. Spas are increasingly popular today and have become largely associated with providing a blissful escape from the stresses of everyday life’s responsibilities and tasks.
How a spa treatment will positively impact you
Spas offer many benefits that will stay with you for a long time. Whether it is from receiving a massage, getting a facial, dipping in a hot tub, relaxing in a sauna, or getting a mani and pedi treatment, each is sure to leave you feeling refreshed. Let us explore the different types of treatments below and how they will positively impact you. Overall, be sure to consult your doctor before taking part in these activities.
1. Massages:
Swedish Massage: This massage refers to a sequence of long, gliding strokes, kneads, and circular motions to help ease shallow tension in the muscles. A classic Swedish massage is excellent for general relaxation, relieving muscle tension, and boosting overall circulation throughout the body.
Deep Tissue Massage: A deep tissue massage is a slower, more specific form of massage focused on muscle knots in the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Using deliberate, slow strokes or friction across the grain of the muscle, the therapist can address chronic tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or injuries. A deep tissue massage is best used for acute and chronic muscle tension patterns caused by overuse or prior injury. While the pressure is generally more intense, you can simply let your massage therapist know right away if you would like to reduce pressure to meet your preferences.
Hot Stone Massage: The Hot Stone Massage is a specialty massage in which the therapist uses smooth, heated stones as a tool for treatment. The massage therapist places warm, smooth stones on specific points on the body and also holds the stones while giving the massage. Heat has been shown to relax tight muscles, so the hot stones allow the therapist to relieve areas of muscle tension. In addition to relaxing you, these massages have a vasodilating effect, which is the expansion of blood vessels, which promotes better blood flow and circulation through the body. They not only provide somatic benefits to the body, but help to purify it, both physically and mentally. Sweating is one of the body's most natural ways of eliminating toxins. A hot stone massage induces mild sweating which can help flush out toxins from the body, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Aromatherapy Massage: An aromatherapy massage is a Swedish massage with scented plant oils added to the massage oil. Extracted from flowers and other plant parts, essential oils offer a pleasing scent, and are believed to have healing properties. Lavender, for instance, has been found to promote relaxation. Although different essential oils may be selected to address specific needs, the therapist typically uses pre-blended oils to relax, energize, or uplift.
Couples Massage: This massage refers to a sequence of long, gliding strokes, kneads, and circular motions to help ease shallow tension in the muscles. This massage is excellent for general relaxation, relieving muscle tension, and boosting overall circulation throughout the body while in the room with your partner.
2. Facials: Facials are designed to address certain skin issues, promote the overall health of your skin, clean your face, keep your skin looking young, rejuvenate and hydrate your face, and help you relax and feel calm.
European Facial: It is highly customizable and deeply cleanses the face, unclogs pores, evens out the skin tone, and gives you a more radiant complexion. This facial includes the steaming of the face, exfoliation, extractions, massaging, a mask, and the application of serums and moisturizers. As a result, European Facials unclog and shrink the size of pores, improve blood circulation, increase skin cell turnover, slow the aging process, even the skin tone, relieve face tension, and make you feel relaxed.
Hydrafacial: This treatment exfoliates, hydrates, improves skin texture and tone, and reduces acne and skin imperfections for a brighter, smoother complexion. A hydrafacial treatment involves using hydrating serums and moisturizing agents that penetrate deep into the skin, providing much-needed hydration and leaving the skin looking plump and radiant. This deep hydration is particularly beneficial for those with dehydrated skin. Hydrafacial treatment can also help improve skin tone and texture. Infusing antioxidants and vitamins during the treatment helps brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also offers the benefit of increased circulation. The gentle massaging of the hydrafacial wand promotes circulation, which in turn helps deliver essential nutrients to the skin. Improved circulation can also help reduce inflammation and promote a healthy, glowing complexion, making it an ideal treatment for combating the effects of cold winter.
Oxygen Facial: This facial is suitable for all skin types and perfect for hydrating and brightening the skin. A machine is used to spray high pressure oxygen all over the face. After cleansing, serums and moisturizers are applied to your face, and the oxygen device feeds and nourishes the skin.
3. Mani and Pedi Treatments: The experience is great for improving your overall self-confidence and emotional well-being. When you receive a mani and pedi treatment, you feel better about your body and appearance, which will improve your overall quality of life. The treatment is also great for creating good first impressions. When you shake someone’s hand for the first time, one of the first things they notice is the appearance of your nails. If they do not look good, this leaves them with a bad first impression. When you take care of yourself, people notice this.
The pedi treatment helps to stop ingrown toenails, which can be very painful if it is left untreated. Nail technicians are trained on how to properly trim your nails so that they grow out properly. In addition, the mani and pedi treatment can get rid of hangnails. If you try to remove them yourself, this could potentially cause an infection. Nail technicians also know how to clip them off, and afterwards they moisturize your hands and feet to lessen your chances of getting hangnails again. They also get you to stop biting your nails if you have this unhealthy habit. When you take care of your nails, you might think again before chewing on them as you do not want to get rid of the new, fresh look.
The treatment also helps with mobility and foot issues. If you suffer from circulatory, bone or joint issues, then a hand and foot massage will improve your blood flow and help ease any pain you have, thus improving mobility. If you are on your feet all day or are very athletic, your feet might have corns and calluses. A monthly pedicure treatment keeps these issues under control and also helps with fungus infections. As a result of treating them, you will feel less discomfort, relaxed, happy, and more comfortable.
During a manicure and pedicure, your nails, hands, and feet will be cleaned, shaped, and polished by a trained technician using specialized tools and products. You may also receive a hand/foot massage, moisturizing treatment, or other add-ons, depending on the type of service you choose.
4. Hot tubs: Extending your massage or facial treatment to include a hot tub is a wonderful idea, as there are many benefits to soaking in the warm water. Hot tubs can relieve stress, relax your muscles, improve sleep, reduce pain in muscles, joints, and tendons, can help ease stiffness of your muscles, and enhance cardiovascular health by raising your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure. However, it is important to note that those who are pregnant, have heart disease, skin injuries, low blood pressure, or urinary tract infections (UTIs) should avoid hot tubs to stay cautious.
5. Saunas: According to Medical News Today, a sauna is a room in which people aim to relax in dry heat. Some benefits include easing pain, reducing levels of stress, and improving cardiovascular health. There are also potential risks for those with concerns so be sure to consult your doctor before using.
6. Cryotherapy Rooms: A treatment does not have to be hot to be beneficial. Medical News Today also shares that cryotherapy involves treatments that use freezing or near-freezing temperatures, which have potential physical and mental health benefits. While doctors do not fully understand all the potential benefits and risks of the process, there are preliminary studies which suggest that cryotherapy may offer pain relief and muscle healing, reduced inflammation, lowered anxiety and depression, improved symptoms of eczema, and treated migraine headaches. Those with health concerns should consult their doctor.
7. Body Scrubs: A body scrub is a popular spa treatment that is used to help exfoliate your skin. This treatment is similar to a facial, except performed on your body. There are many different types of body scrubs, but most typically contain abrasive ingredients such as sugar or sea salt and other natural ingredients. Benefits include removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, making your skin feel softer and look more even and radiant, unclogging pores, freeing trapped ingrown hairs, and reducing the appearance of razor bumps, boosting circulation, relieving stress, and promoting relaxation.
8. Cold Pools: According to Harper’s Bazaar, a cold plunge is the act of submerging your body in cold water (59 degrees Fahrenheit or less) for an extended period of time. Cold water plunges can decrease inflammation, offer a huge rush of endorphins, spike dopamine, improve sleep and mood, reduce stress, help remedy aches and pains, boost injury recovery, reduce swelling, regulate hormones, and accelerate metabolism. Those with health concerns should consult their doctor.
Conclusion
Beyond physical treatments, the top spas recognize the importance of nurturing the mind, body, and soul in unison. Integrated wellness programs are offered, which incorporate mindfulness practices, yoga classes, and meditation sessions. These holistic offerings aim to promote not only relaxation but also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-reflection. By encouraging a balanced lifestyle, a spa visit promotes a deep sense of serenity that extends beyond one's visit.
