Glossary of Treatments


Acupressure
Originally a form of Chinese medicine, acupressure is a mild, finger tip pressure massage on certain meridian points of the body to stimulate the particular organs associated with these pressure points and to contract and relax the muscles.

Affusion Shower
A soothing and relaxing shower of warm droplets of mineral-rich water fall like rain on the outstretched body. Sometimes a detoxifying massage is given at the same time.

Algotherapy
Algae or marine-based products are applied to the body in order to detoxify and relax.

Aromatherapy
Essential oils deriving from natural products such as plants, leaves, seeds, resins and flowers are blended into an oil before being used for total body massages, inhalation therapy and baths. This is an ancient therapeutic treatment that nourisshes, energises and relaxes the whole body.

Ayurveda
An ancient Indian medical discipline known as "the science of long life". Herbs, aromatherapy, yoga, diet, massage, chanting and meditation are used to restore the balance between body and mind.

Balinese Massage
A deep, soothing dry oil massage using the palms of the hands and thumbs to release tension.

Balneotherapy
Mineral-rich water originating from the sea or hot springs is used to alleviate stresses and strains as well as aiding digestion.

Cold Plunge
Ideal after a sauna, a quick plunge in this deep cold water (15.5 degrees or below) invigorates the body and stimulates the circulation.

Dead Sea Mud Therapy
Mud imported from the Dead Sea is applied to the body to cleanse the pores and relax the muscles. It is often used to ease arthritic and rheumatic pain.

Deep (Tissue) Muscle Massage
A deep muscle massage to relieve chronic tensions and improve posture. The treatment itself can often be quite an uncomfortable experience as the muscle groups are kneaded and separated but it can be very effective in improving freedom of movement.

Fangotherapy
Mud with a high mineral content is spread over the body to cleanse and revitalise the skin as well as alleviating aches and pains.

Flotation Tank
The body is allowed to float in a shallow pool filled with mineral-rich water that has been fortified with salt or Epsom salts. The lights are turned down and a sense of deep relaxation is induced.

Hamman
A Turkish bath which uses steam to detoxify the body and skin.

Herbal Wrap
The body is enveloped in cloths that have been soaked in a heated herbal preparation and then covered by plastic blankets or sheets to maintain the temperature. The heat eliminates impurities in the skin as well as helping to relax the muscles.

Hydromassage
A water treatment which takes place in a hydro bath. High-pressure jets operate under the water to stimulate the circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage.

Hydro Pool/Bath
A pool or bath used for hydromassage which is equipped with various underwater high pressure jets, fountains or waterfalls to massage the head, neck and back.

Hydrotherapy
A water treatment involving underwater massages, hot and cold pressure showers and mineral baths to stimulate and relax the body. Marine hydrotherapy is a form of thalassotherapy treatment using seawater jets to massage the body.

Indian Head Massage
Ideal for reboosting run down systems, this relaxing and soothing holistic treatment involves an acupressure massage to the head, face, neck and shoulders that is said to rebalance the body's energies and banish negativity.

Inhalation Therapy
Designed to decongest the respiratory system by inhaling a steam that has been combined with essential oils.

Jet Shower
Administered while standing up, the body is blasted with a high-pressure hose held by the therapist. Depending on the desired result the water can be either hot or cold. The body is left invigorated and muscles soothed.

Kneipp System
A cure which combines hydrotherapy with herbal remedies and a diet of natural foods. Herbal and mineral baths of alternating hot and cold temperatures stimulate the body to promote physical and emotional wellbeing.

La Stone Therapy
A deeply relaxing massage using smooth volcanic stones which are heated and then stroked across the oiled back, to ease muscle tension. Smaller stones are then placed on pressure points over the body to generate a flow of energy. Cold stones are sometimes used for an invigorating effect.

Liquid Sound
A soothing and relaxing experience which sometimes takes place in a darkened room to heighten the senses. The body relaxes in a pool while music is played both above and below the water, bringing us back to our time in the womb.

Lomi - Lomi
A healing massage from Hawaii where the forearms as well as the hands are employed to give a rhythmical, rocking massage. Produces a sensation like waves flowing over the body.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage
A therapeutic massage using a gentle pulsating pressure which increases the lymphatic flow to drain the body of toxins.

Panchakarma
An Ayurvedic cleansing and purification treatment through the use of meditation, massage and essential oils.

Parafango
Mineral-rich mud is mixed with paraffin wax to detoxify and exfoliate. Promotes relaxation and joint and muscle mobility.

Phytotherapy
A general term for healing treatments using natural herbs, plants, seaweed and aromatic essential oils though baths, massage, inhalation and mudpacks.

Polarity Massage
A deep pressure massage using a rocking, holding and massaging technique, designed to balance the body's electromagnetic energy through touch.

Rasul Bath
An eastern cleansing ceremony that takes place in a special room with ceramic seating underneath a ceiling designed to resemble the sky at night. A deep cleansing mud is applied to the body and baked dry in a herbal steam bath. Finally, a fine tropical rain shower falls from the ceiling the wash away the mud before the skin is anointed in oil.A deeply detoxifying, nourishing and hydrating treatment.

Reflexology
An ancient Chinese therapeutic treatment that was rediscovered at the begining of the 20th Century. Reflex zones in the feet and the hands are massaged with finger-point pressure to promote self-healing, improve circulation and relieve stresses in other parts of the body. Reflexology is especially effective for treating Asthma, headaches and migraines.

Reiki
An ancient Japanese therapy that promotes deep relaxation. The therapist places their hands on, or just above, the body and remains still for 3 to 5 minutes. This is a natural way of balancing the body's energy, channelling it to the areas where it is needed most and encouraging the body to self-heal.

Roman Bath
An invigorating and cleansing technique whereby the body is plunged into pools of mineral water of different temperatures.

Salt Glow
A mixture of coarse salt and aromatic oil is massaged into the body to exfoliate, hydrate and improve circulation and texture. The treatment is completed with a shower and a moisturising body lotion.

Seaweed Wrap
The body is enveloped in warm seaweed before being wrapped in a heated blanket to leave the skin smooth, revitalised and restored.

Shiatsu
A Japanese acupressure massage technique using fingertip pressure on the energy points of the body to stimulate and restore our inner balance.

Shirodhara
Ayurvedic treatment where a continuous flow of warmed oil is slowly poured over the third eye in the centre of the forehead to induce deep relaxation and settle and balance the nervous system.

Swedish Massage
A traditional massage technique which combines stroking, kneading, tapping and manipulation of the muscle tissue relaxing the muscles and boosting the circulation.

Thai Massage
A dry massage that is preformed over a light cotton pyjamas that involves gentle maniputlation and acupressure techniques. Some yoga-style moves are employed to gently stretch and rock the body as well as exerting pressure using the elbows, knees and palms or by lightly walking over the back. The limbs and joints feel loosened and the whole body feels lighter and more agile.

Thalassotherapy
Therapeutic use of seawater, seaweed, algae and marine mud that are rich in minerals and vitamins to energise, nourish and detoxify the body.

Thermal Massage
A curative water that has been stored deep inside the earth becoming enriched with mineral salts and increasing in temperature as it is heated by the earth's core.

Vichy Shower
Similar to an affusion shower, the body relaxes on a table while being treated to energising water jets of varying temperatures and pressure.