The meaning of the word SPA is Sanitas per Aqua meaning health through water, so it stands to reason that various water treatment methods (hydrotherapy) are to be found in most Spas.
The term Hydrotherapy refers to a broad spectrum of treatments using hot and cold water, showers, baths, foot baths, steaming, hot and cold compresses, body wraps and salt glows. The treatments are designed to improve circulation, draw out impurities, exfoliate, tone and nourish depending on the method.
Various natural ingredients are used such as herbs, foods like cucumber, aloe, pineapple, papaya, honey, milk also salts, sugars and oatmeal. Custom sheets are used to wrap the body after application of mixtures and scrubs and rubs are applied by hand or with a special mitten. It is extremely important to drink lots of water before, during and after a wrap.
Warm water is soothing and relaxing for the treatment of anxiety and muscle tension, cold water is refreshing for fatigue and stress.
The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town offers a range of hydrotherapy treatments and boasts coloured rock pools in a unique cave setting.
Here is a guideline for various types of Hydrotherapy treatments available today:
Foot Bath
The feet are soaked in warm water scented with aromatic oils, minerals and in some cases flower petals and herbs.
Sitz Bath
For healing or hygienic purposes, a bath taken in a seated position with warm water covering the lower half of the body. The water can contain healing salts and oils or medication.
Mustard Bath
Often used in conjunction with steaming and wraps, it is a wonderfully stimulating type of bath for opening the pores and clearing out impurities.
Mud Bath
Perfect for de-stressing, drawing out impurities, exfoliation and nourishment of the skin, the mud is usually a mixture of clay or volcanic ash, peat moss and spring water.
Herbal Wrap
This wrap uses herbs and oils for cleansing and rejuvenation, whilst the client breathes in the wonderful scents.
Enzymatic Wrap
This wrap combines fruit acids and a scrub to smooth away rough skin and is also good for skin on the back which is prone to blemishes.
Seaweed Wrap
A wrap that harnesses the seas wonderful healing elements for detoxification ad rejuvenation.
Aromatherapy Scrub
This is a good way to exfoliate and at the same time soothe all the senses with therapeutic plant essences.
Salt Glow
Wonderful for removing impurities and dry skin using sea-salts which are rich in minerals after moisturising the skin will be soft and younger looking.
Oatmeal Scrub
This scrub incorporates the use of this well known ingredient for exfoliation and detoxification.
Steam Inhalation
This is very effective in clearing up troublesome chests and can be incorporated into Aromatherapy treatments.
Sensation Shower
This is a high tech circular shower with water jets placed at different angles there is a pre-set programme for cooling mist, aromatherapy infusion followed by a hot shower.
Vichy Shower
The client lies on a waterproof treatment bed with an overhead horizontal shower system. This shower can be used as an aspect of various treatments.
Watsu
Sometimes called Shiatsu in water and based on the principles of Zen Shiatsu - it involves water-based exercise, floatation and massage in a pool of warm water supported and assisted by a therapist. It is deeply relaxing and therapeutic with positive benefits for anyone including those with mobility problems.
Rhassoul, Serail or Hammam
These rooms involve steaming and lathering of some kind in the case of the Rhassoul or Serail different coloured mineral-rich muds are massaged onto the body and after steaming for about 15 minutes the mud is rinsed off this is fun for friends and couples but also has excellent benefits for the skin prior to massage.
Thalassotherapy
The name is derived from the Greek word for sea - these treatments harness the power of seawater and seaweed, also algae, mud and sand to revitalise the body, tone the skin and stimulate circulation.