The Journey of Spa and Its Evolution

When we talk about spa, we are straightway transported to a cosy room filled with aromatic fragrances and a relaxing atmosphere. No doubt, it is the ultimate healing therapy for the mind and the body. With all the partying and vacationing done during December to usher in 2018, nothing seems better than a relaxing spa therapy to soothe your aching nerves. But how many of us know the history of the traditional spa? Well, let us take a look at the journey of spa and its evolution.

How the term “Spa” originated

The word spa means “fountain”. While multiple theories abound, one theory says that spa was a small town in Belgium and the place was named such because of a natural spring that existed there. During the earlier times, people believed that taking bath with hot or cold water was in itself a healing therapy. Hence, the name spa came to denote a place used to give mineral-rich baths. This famous bath in Belgium was used by the Roman soldiers to heal their aching bodies and cure their wounds of the war.

Conventional Spa Therapies

1. Balneotherapy

Balneotherapy is referred to any kind of spa treatment associated with water.

Some important minerals such as iron, selenium, rhodium, calcium, sodium, iodine and potassium, can be absorbed into the body through water. This ancient healing method has been largely used to cure major illness and disorders, for example, depression, insomnia, anxiety, psoriasis, eczema and other cardiovascular diseases.

Also read on: 8 Best Winter Spa Treatments To Warm You Up

2. Ayurvedic Therapies

India famous for its rich culture and heritage also boasts of one of the earliest ayurvedic spa therapies. Spa therapies in Ayurveda consisted of different treatments and practices which helped in curing various ailments. Read on to find out more about them.

• Shirodhara: this therapy is used to calm your senses and relieve the stress from your mind. Cooling herbal oils are poured onto your third eye (between the two brows) to treat insomnia, mental stress and anxiety.
• Abhyanga: a form of therapy where essential aromatic oils are used to massage your entire body.
• Udvartana: This includes a whole-body scrub with barley, detoxifying herbs and other essential ingredients to gently exfoliate your skin and impart a healthy glow to your skin.
• Pinda Swedna: A pouch of rice cooked in coconut or cow’s milk is used to treat the critical areas of pain. This therapy is used to cure rheumatoid arthritis and severe back pain.
• Basti: This is a very unique treatment for curing pain. A dough made of special flour and water is prepared. A ring of the dough is placed on the critical pain areas and hot treated oil is poured inside the ring. The skin gently absorbs the oil treating the pain areas.

Traditional Ayurveda includes a host of other treatment methods to cure various ailments. The method is slow but highly effective in removing the ailment from within.

3. Hot springs/Thermal spa

Ancient Greek Philosopher Hippocrates suggested that the cause of all ailments was an imbalance of body fluids and the way to cure them was to take an aromatic bath and massage one’s body with scented oils. This theory became very popular and more and more number of people started bathing in public baths and fountains. The thermal spa originated in the Roman era and quickly spread to the other parts of the world.

The modern-day spa therapies are nothing but an extension of Balneotherapy. Let us look at how traditional spa therapies have evolved over the time to give birth to spa at home therapies.

Modern-day Spa Therapies

Conventional spas mostly involved large public baths and saunas and people flocked there in large numbers. Eventually, people realized that these public baths, instead of curing an ailment, led to spread of diseases. Hence, they were closed down. Over time, spa therapies evolved and shifted from large baths to closed chambers where all the required therapies and treatments were done at the comfort of a bed and a soothing atmosphere.

If we talk of the 21^st century, spa has evolved a little more and now all kinds of spa therapies can be provided at the comfort of your home via UrbanClap! Read on to find out more about spa therapies at home.

Also read on: 5 Reasons Why Spa Therapy Is Better Than Retail Therapy

1. The famous Thai Massage

This massage is generally preferable if you want to treat a stiff back or pain in the lower back and muscles. This therapy makes use of various acupressure and body pulling and stretching techniques which relieve you of all the pain in the body.

2. Deep Tissue Massage therapy

As the name indicates, this kind of massage therapy treats muscle tension and stiffness, especially if you have had any injury or accident. It works on the deeper tissues of your body, releasing the tension built up and pain. Done using fingertips, elbows, forearms and hands, it is a great way to relieve the stress build up in your body.

3. Aromatherapy

This therapy makes use of aromatic essential oils and long strokes and soft kneading to relieve the stress from the body. It is a great way to detox and relax.

4. Head and foot Reflexology

Concentrates on the head and the foot muscles. Kneading and coaxing methods help release the stress.

5. Swedish massage

Makes use of aromatic oils and gentle coaxing strokes to de-stress you.

Benefits of Booking Spa at Home Therapy from UrbanClap

1. At the comfort of your home

In comparison to Traditional spa practices, modern day spa therapies can be taken at home.

This has greatly eased the process for working moms and aged ladies as they can get all the desired therapies done at the comfort of their home. You can easily book an appointment according to your time and relax while letting the therapist take care of you.

2. Is more hygienic

As mentioned above, traditional spas were closed down due to the health risks it posed as a result of so many people bathing in the same water. The modern day spa at home therapies doesn’t pose any risks as they are done at your home and instead of a mineral-rich water bath. You get a professionally trained therapist who uses expert methods to cure or massage you. Also, all the equipment carried by our therapist is sanitized to ensure you get to indulge in an equally luxurious treatment as in a spa resort.

3. Can cure difficult to treat ailments

Even though traditional spa treatments promised to cure every ailment, some ailments such as skin disorders and internal problems (example, injuries and broken joints) need a intensive therapy. Modern-day at-home spa therapies can come to your rescue in this case as they make use of tools and techniques which aim to treat you internally and cure you of all ailments.

Now that you know what a modern-day spa holds, go ahead and indulge yourself in a luxurious spa retreat at the comfort of your home! Download our app and book your appointment, or simply click on the button below.