Spa Treatment Glossary N - R

The Spa Treatment Glossary defines spa treatments from aromatherapy to yoga.

Not sure what treatments are right for you? Don't know the difference between acupuncture and aromatherapy? Check the spa treatment glossary!

There's nothing worse than planning a spa vacation, and then not enjoying the experience. The benefits of spa treatments are supposed to make you feel better, not worse - so make sure you find the right spa (see Types of Spas for help with that), and choose the right therapies for you.

Here are the definitions for spa body treatments, facial and beauty treatments, and more:

• Naturopathy - A natural, holistic approach to health that uses plants and flowers for medicinal purposes, integrating emotional and spiritual with physical health.

• Ozonized Bath - Thermal or mineral bath using underwater jets to create hyperoxygenated bubbles that relax muscles and stimulate circulation.

• Panchakarma - An Ayurvedic massage treatment that utilizes warm, herbal oils to remove toxins and restore balance to body and mind.

• Paraffin wrap - A skin treatment using hot oils and paraffin (wax) to cleanse and purify the skin. The wax is applied over the entire body.

• Phytotherapy - Healing with plant extracts such as herbs, flowers, and seaweed. These extracts may be used as oils in massage or wraps, or ingested as a tea.

• Pilates Method - An exercise technique developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920's, to help dancers recover from injuries. The movements stretch, lengthen, and strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.

• Pizichilli - An Ayurvedic massage performed by 2 therapists, while warm, herbal oil is continuously poured over the body.

• Polarity Massage - A gentle massage therapy designed to release the body's blocked energy. Based upon the theory that every cell has positive and negative energy, the massage aims to balance the energy.

• Pressotherapy - Weighted or inflatable cuffs or boots that massage the legs, reduce water retention, and improve circulation.

• Pressure Point Therapy - Massage techniques designed heal specific body parts by applying pressure to a "trigger point" associated with that body part. Acupressure and Shiatsu are examples of pressure point therapy.

• Qi Gong - A Chinese method of exercise (similar to tai chi) using rhythmic breathing and slow, focused movements to recharge energy and promote harmony.

• Rasul - A steam chamber that helps the skin to absorb mud treatments self-applied to the face and back.

• Reflexology - A form of pressure point therapy; points on the feet, hands, or ears are pressed to release energy to other parts of the body. The release of energy is the "reflex", or response to the pressure.

• Reiki - A Japanese technique for relaxation. A therapist lays hands over chakra points to balance energy and relax the body. The hands may or may not actually touch the body; the treatment can be performed with the body fully clothed.

• Rolfing - A sometimes painful technique used to correct musculo-skeletal problems. Massage treatments are progressively more intense, from relatively superficial to very deep tissue massage.

• Roman Bath - Based upon ancient Roman spa baths, a Roman bath is a whirlpool or jacuzzi pool. Sometimes there are a series of pools of varying temperatures.

• Russian Bath - A steam bath with tree branches used to beat the back and improve circulation.

The Spa Treatment Glossary continues with

• Glossary S - Z

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• Glossary A - C

• Glossary D- I

• Glossary J - M

• Types of Spas

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