Spa Treatment Glossary S - Z

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 natural treatments and holistic treatments? 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:

• Salt Glow - A cleansing treatment that uses coarse sea or kosher salt and a loofah sponge to exfoliate the skin. Often finished with an herbal rinse.

• Sauna - Dry heat in a wooden chamber, using the body's perspiration to cleanse and detoxify the skin. Finnish in origin; often followed by a immersion in cool water.

• Scotch Hose - A water treatment utilizing high-pressure hoses, spraying alternating hot and cold water on the body's pressure points, to improve circulation and relieve tension.

• Seaweed Wrap - The application of a seaweed and sea water mask to the body, which is then covered in herb-soaked linens or blankets to add warmth and promote penetration of minerals into the skin.

• Shiatsu Massage - A Japanese massage therapy using pressure points to clear blocked energy. Similar to acupressure.

• Shirodhara - An Ayurvedic treatment consisting of pouring warm herbal oil over the center of the forehead (the "Third Eye"), to calm and clear the mind.

• Sitz Bath - Immersion of the lower body into a chair-shaped bath with alternating hot and cold water to stimulate the immune system. Also a Kneipp therapy.

• Spa Body Wrap - Wrapping the body in linens, towels, and/or plastic to warm the body, which helps it absorb the beneficial minerals, enzymes, etc. from products applied to the skin. It is used in mud wraps, seaweed wraps, among others.

• Spa Cuisine - Fresh and healthful foods, low in fats, salt and sugars, high in fiber, vitamins, protein, and minerals. Meals served at destination spas feature Spa Cuisine; cookbooks are available for making dishes at home.

• Spinning - Exercise on stationary bikes, using varied speeds and intensity, guided by an instructor.

• Steam Room - Wet heat in a tiled room that cleanses and detoxifies skin and improves circulation.

• Stress Management - A variety of therapies including meditation, massage, and yoga to relieve tension and relax the body, mind and spirit.

• Swedish massage - A classic massage therapy using 5 movements - long strokes, kneading, tapping, rolling, and vibration - to relax the body and improve circulation.

• Swiss Shower - A shower delivered with high-power jets directed at various points of the body simultaneously, alternating hot and cold water.

• Tai Chi - A Chinese discipline combining mental concentration, meditation, and slow movements in the unity of body and mind.

• Thai Massage - A massage therapy involving stretching as well as massage. Usually done on a floor mat, there are no oils involved and the recipient wears comfortable clothing.

• Thalassotherapy - A water treatment using water directly from the sea, along with seaweed, sand, or algae.

• Thermal Wrap - Wrapping the body in hot, damp sheets to promote penetration of products applied after and exfoliation treatment.

• Turkish Bath - A Middle-Eastern bathhouse ritual (sometimes called a Hamam or Hammam) involving many steps: wet or dry heat to promote perspiration, mud body masks, showers or drenching from a water bucket, scrubbing and exfoliation, and massage.

• Vegan - A diet of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and grains that eliminates all animal products (meat, dairy, eggs, etc.)

• Vegetarian - Similar to the Vegan diet, but the Vegetarian diet allows animal products (ie, dairy products) that do not require the killing of the animal.

• Vichy Shower - Usually used after a body treatment, the Vichy shower has multiple shower heads directed at the body, while laying on a rubber mat or massage table.

• Watsu - A combination of the words "water" and "shiatsu", watsu is essentially a shiatsu massage performed underwater. Yoga movements may be included in the therapy.

• Yoga - A Hindu tradition of balancing the body and mind through movement, breathing, and meditation. There are a wide variety of yoga techniques and philosophies.

Go back to

• Spa Treatment Glossary A - I

• Spa Treatment Glossary J - R

• Types of Spas

• Return to Spa Glossary

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