Day Spa Treatments Glossary
Abhyanga
Ayurvedic daily ritual of giving and receiving massage to improve total wellbeing
Acupressure
Ancient Oriental technique applying pressure to specific points on the body to open the energy flow.
Acupuncture
Ancient Chinese treatment of illness by inserting needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and energy flow.
Aesclepions
Greek centre for healing, named for healer and philosopher, Aesclepios.
Aerosol Inhalation
Seawater mist to clear the respiratory system
Algotherapy
A form of thalassotherapy wher seaweed skin masks are applied to the body and face to infuse minerals.
Aromatherapy
Aromatic pure essentail oils from plants, flowers, herbs and trees, mixed with oils and massaged into body, face and scalp or inhaled neat.
Ayurveda
Eastern Indian philosophy of using herbs and hot oil treatments combined with meditation.
Baineotherapy
Warm mud or thermal baths to detoxify the skin and boost circulation.
Basti
Ayurvedic herbal purification.
Bindi
Ayurvedic treatment involving exfoliation, herbal infusion and massage.
Body Brush
Dry brushing of skin to exfoliate dead skin cells and stimulate circulation. Often used as preperation before other treatments.
Body Scrub/Exfoliation
Loofah sponges or granulated ingredients used to polish skin cells and boost circulation.
Body Wrap
Mud, seaweed, honey, herbs or minerals are applied to skin, after which the body is wrapped in plastic, towels or sheets and left to absorb product.
Boreh
Balinese cleansing adn exfoliation using herbs, seeds, grains, oils and grated carrots.
Cathiodermie
Mild electrical currents to deep cleanse the skin and oxygenate the outer layer.
Chakra
The ayurvedic term for Energy centre, It is believed we have seven chakras, all connected.
Craniosacral Therapy
Massage concentrated on head and neck.
Crenotherapy
Treatments involving mineral water, mud adn vapour.
Doshas
The ayurvedic term for body functions: Vata, blood, circulation and healing: Pitta, heat and metabolism: Kapha, spirt and self.
Effleurage
The massage technique of quick, long strokes used at the beginning and end of treatment.
Essential Oils
The pure oils extracted from flowers, herbs, trees, plants, leaves, bark, fruit and vegetables.
Facial
A treatment to the face and neck to cleanse, nourish, soothe and massage.
Fango Therapy
The application of mineralised mud, made of algae, bacteria and protozoa.
Flotation Therapy
An epsom salt bath, often enclosed like a tank, that allows the body to float,inducing sensory deprivation and pain relief.
Galvanic Treatment
Encourages absorbtion of liquid into the skin using current conducting clay and electrodes.
Gommage
Creams applied with long massage stokes to the body, or with quick, short strokes to the face.
Hamam
Turkish or Middle Eastern communal bathhouses
Heller Work
The manipulation of connective body tissue, together with the discussion of mental attitudes to restore body balance.
Holistic Health
A total approach to health, addressing lifestyle, physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Hot Rock Massage
Heated stones are used to massage the body and tap into deep tissue and energy centers. One stroke with a heated stone is said to be worth ten with the hand.
Hydromassage
A sedative massage under cyclic water jets
Hydrotherapy
The alternative use of hot and cold water to boost circulation and speed metabolism
Inhalation
Thermal vapours or steam from thermal waters
Ionithermie
Correctionof cellulite using galvanic stimulants with thermal clay and biologically active natural ingredients.
Jacuzzi
Introduction of air in water to oxygenate water and massage body.
Japanese Enzyme Bath
Wooden tub filled with fibrous material (such as wood chips) and plant enzymes that ferment, creating heat for sweating out toxins.
Karwendel
Fossil oils massaged into body.
Kneipp Therapy
Cold water treatment stimulating circulation, metabolism and the nervous system.
Kur Bath
A Hungarian detoxifying therapeutic bath containing a high concentration of minerals drawn from a spring more than 2000 feet below the earths surface.
Lomilomi
An Hawaiian healing body massage using long broad strokes of hands, arms and elbows, formally considered chiropractic realignmnet but today performed with more sensuality.
Lulur
An Indonesian body treatment involving massage and exfoliation using spices, grains and seeds, followed by a hot shower and the application of yoghurt. Usually ends with a soak in a flower petal-filled bath.
Lymphatic drainage
Massage of the lymphatic system to aid the removal of waste and toxins.
Mandi Susu
Indonesian bathing ritual using buttermilk, milk or yoghurt.
Onsen
Japanese thermal mineral spring.
Swedish Massage
Deep tissue massage, manipulating pressure points and muscles.
Swiss Shower
Water treatment using 12 to 16 jet showers aimed at pressure points.
Panchakarma
An Ayurvedic cleaning and purification treatment using essential oils.
Paraffin Wax Treatment
Warm wax brushed over the body to draw out toxins, cleanse pores and soften skin.
Plunge Pools
Alternate plunging into deep pools of hot water and cold water to revitalise circulation.
Polarity Massage
Gentle rocking, holding and massage to generate relaxation.
Rassoul Chamber
Designed for couples, partners apply rassoul mud (a mineral rich earthen comlex native to Morocco) to each others hair and body until it dries out.
Reflexology
The ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Indian philosophy of massaging pressure points in the feet to heal internal organs and illness around the body.
Reiki
Laying of hands over body, generating heat and balancing energy flow throughout the body, mind and spirit.
Roman Bath
The ancient Roman bath system of various hot, warm and cold baths, each with different ingredients.
Sauna Heat
Treatment in a room filled with steam to make the body perspire and leach out toxins. Muscles are rejuvenated after plunging into a cold shower afterwards.
Shiatsu
Japanese acupressure to specific points on the body to rebalance and heal.
Spa Sanus per aquam
Meaning health through water and the term originally used to describe a healing mineral spring.
Thai Massage
Acupressure and yoga manipulations, usually performed on a mat on the floor.
Thalassotherapy
Treatments using seawater and seaweed, including algae baths, masks and wraps. From the Greek word thalassa meaning sea.
Thermal Water
Hot water rich in bromide, gases, iodine and salts.
Tua Na
Oriental bodywork to balance energy and flush toxins.
Turkish Bath
A series of increasingly hot steam rooms, then reversed before a cold shower.
Vichy Shower
A multijet mechanism suspended over a table as part of various treatments.
Watsu
Massage while the body is immersed in water.
