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The Latin phrase
salus per aquam is where the word spa originated
meaning health via water. European kurs, a
mineral water-based treatments, used hot and
cold soaks, baths, steam, showers and the
drinking of mineral water to assist in healing
of certain sickness and it is from these methods
that formed the basis of hydrotherapy whereby
you can now can enjoy this water spa experience at
home in your own bath and obtain the
health-promoting benefits of water at any time
of your choice.
Other types of
water therapy include the Roman bath whereby you
soaked yourself in both hot and cold soaking
pools to relieve pressure on joints and organs
and to help relax muscles and the nervous
system. In Germany, the kneipp therapy is used
to promote better blood circulation through
alternating cold and hot soaks. In Turkey, the
Turkish uses hammam which consists of dry or wet
heat and cold plunge pools to detoxify the body
while in France, the French favored the vichy
shower. This method requires you to lie down on
a cushioned treatment table and then your body
will be sprayed with warm water whereby this
process is known to accelerate lymphatic and
blood circulation.
One of the easiest
method to enjoy this water treatment is through
sugar scrub. Before rubbing the sugar scrub to
gently rub your skin, you must soften your skin
first by having a five minutes hot shower. Start
rubbing from your neck down all the way to your
feet. Once you have done this, use warm water to
rinse off the sugar and then spray yourself with
cold water as you slowly decrease the
temperature and then go to soak yourself in hot
water.
 Another
popular spa experience is through mineral bath.
The Europeans have soaked in and drink mineral
water from the local hot springs long time ago
to cure diseases from this water therapy. You
can turn the home bath into a mineral bath and
enjoy the curative benefits from this spa
treatment. Firstly, top up your bath tub with
water up to the level which is sufficient for
you to completely dip your body into. Then add a
small portion of your favorite mineral bath
salts to the water and them dissolve the
minerals by mixing the water evenly. Sometimes,
essential oils may be added to further enhance
the therapeutic effects.
Photo: Mineral Bath
Then dip yourself into
the bath tub, lie back and stay inside the bath
tub for about twenty minutes. While you are
relaxing in the water, you are advised to breath
slowly and deeply. When you are inside the
water, try to drink as much water as possible,
preferably mineral water, to keep your
body hydrated since you will perspire during
this process. Dry yourself off after you have
finished with your mineral bath and prepare for
a body wrap using several blankets while you are
lying on the bed or on a lounger for about
half-an-hour. This resting period is considered
to be the most vital part of this spa treatment
because it is during this time that your
parasympathetic nervous system function to
restore your body.
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