Getting enough sleep after a tiring day is sometimes not enough to give glow and fullness to your physical well-being. If you are the workaholic type of person, then take this as an advice – you need more than sleep and right diet. Because there are certain things that food and rest won’t be able to give. Undergoing a spa treatment at least once a week can give you a relaxed feeling and it can also give you mental comfort. But what is a spa anyway? Are there more people who are quite aware of what this treatment is? Do you know the history of spa? Always have this in mind: If you don’t study about something thoroughly, you won’t be able to learn about its full importance in your daily living. Have a quick study about the history of spa, ponder on the knowledge and think about ways on how to apply it in your life.
What is a spa? It’s a treatment that’s more close to a water treatment or balneotherapy. If you will notice, most of spa houses and resorts also offer health remedies and treatments. There are also various types of spa, depending on the health benefits it gives. Here are some of the known spas: Ayurvedic spa, Club spa, Cruise Ship spa, Day spa, Dental spa, Garden spa, Medical spa and Mineral Springs spa.
The use of spa treatment dates back in the prehistoric times, when people had to travel in hot or cold springs, hoping to be cured on certain ailments. There was a case that Bronze Age weapons and offerings were found in hot springs in countries France and Czech Republic. Romans, Native Americans, Egyptians, Persians and Babylonians even believe that spa is one way to one’s physical and spiritual sanctification. Ritual ceremonies and bathing rituals are done in a spring or well. While in Greek and Roman times, spa has been well-known for relaxation and personal hygiene. Small bathtubs, basins and baths for foot are just few of the tools used back then for personal cleanliness. In the early times, people who belonged in the upper class would have spa treatments using precious tools like bathtubs made up of alabaster – as a sign of luxurious lifestyle.
However, there was a mark in history when public bath or spa gave a strong negative notion. In the Medieval times, Roman Empire greatly discouraged public bathing since spa became a place for people who do such licentious behavior. Spas in this time became a medium for the spread of various diseases. Because of this fact, Medieval church authorities made an effort to close down most of the public baths in town. On the bright side, there are spa procedures from the Roman Empire that were adapted by most of the spas nowadays. Some of these procedures are receiving massages, bathing, segregation of sexes and sweating.
In the 20th century, spa has evolved into treatment that provides relaxation rather than on medical purposes. Although there are medical remedies that a spa treatment causes, still more people are flocking to spa towns in search of relaxing services. Spa treatment is often performed in resorts, day spa, beauty salon and even in schools.
Spa has various treatments depending on the patient’s preference. There are treatments like: aromatherapy, bathing or soaking, hot spring, hut tub, mud bath, peat pulp bath, sauna and steam bath. There are also other treatments like body wraps where the patient will be wrapped in hot linens, blankets, mud wraps and plastic sheets in concoction of herbal compounds. Yoga and meditation are also available on some spas, as well as waxing which is a hair removal treatment.
The history of spa is truly a magnificent proof that hygiene and medication are some of the things that people focus on. A spa treatment can give you health and mental relaxation so don’t have half the mind in giving yourself a swell treat like this!