What is Thalassotherapy?

How pleasant and refreshing is the feeling of peace and refreshment that the sea gives us? Not just in our day, but for thousands of years we have been making use of the healing powers of the sea and the ocean in different forms.

Nowadays spa and wellness centers offer thalassotherapy treatments drawing inspiration from the healing world of the sea. If you still haven’t added thalassotherapy to your healthy living routine, keep reading this article to learn what this therapy is and its benefits are. 

What is the Origin of Thalassotherapy? 

Derived from the word “thalassa”, meaning “sea” in Greek, the roots of thalassotherapy dates back to Ancient Egypt, Greek and Romans. This application, which became especially common in Europe, was being prescribed for the treatment of different illnesses in the 16th century. “The Use of Seawater in Pituitary Gland Diseases," written by the British Richard Russell in 1760, is the first study to show the effect of seawater on human health. So, how is thalassotherapy applied? 

How is it Applied? 

Thalassotherapy is different treatments that use salt water and seaweed to clean, to soothe, to freshen the skin and body, to achieve circulation and to cure the muscles. This therapy generally includes showers rich in minerals, seawater pools, hydrotherapy and algotherapy applications including seaweed or mud baths. 

Thalassotherapy Bath 

Thalassotherapy bath is made by keeping one in a bathtub that is filled with hot and therapeutic solution. In addition, when it is combined with aromatherapy oil, a much more effective feeling can be achieved. Therapists make the treatment choice making use of their expertise and experience and make sure that you stay alone with the bath. A relaxing massage after the thalassotherapy bath can be an additional care that will help our muscles that are tense for different reasons. 

Seawater Pool 

Since it provides much more rich components in providing minerals the seawater used within the scope of hydrotherapy offers more then a traditional bath. The water temperature at the sea water pool is kept at a stable 37°C heat and with the high pressure water jets contains hydro-massage applications both above and under the water. This way, swimming in this pool provides a beautiful care for our skin and hair since the harsh quality of the salt water is smoothed down. While on the one hand you rest in the sea water, on the other your body experiences the effects of a water massage. 

Therapeutic Shower 

Water enriched by seawater or sea minerals sometimes is provided with therapeutic showers. These are created in termal suites using different pressures and temperatures to create an atmosphere such as “sea mist” or “tropical rain”. These horizontal showers are designed to help us receive services such as peeling, mask and scrub. 

Thalassotherapy Wrap

Algotherapy is the use of ocean products with care or treatment purposes. This includes seaweed wraps, mud facials and seaweed baths. The application in this method is realized using real seaweed or sea mud to wrap the body. Therapists wrap the person that is under the treatment from head to toes and cover them with thermal blankets. After waiting for a while they massage the body to increase the blood circulation and they aim at creating a holistic relaxation. 

What are the Effects of Thalassotherapy? 

The fundamental point that lies under the positive effects of thalassotherapy on our health comes from the elements of the sea water, very much similar to the human cells. Made out of sodium, magnesium and mineral salts, the sea water provides nutritions that help the body function correctly. Thalassotherapy treatments that are realized using sea elements such as mud and seaweed elements contain antioxidants and they provide our body the necessary vitamins and minerals. In addition, thalassotherapy helps prevent and reduce pathological diseases such as osteoporosis caused by varicose veins and muscle or circulation problems. Thalassotherapy also helps reduce stress and anxiety and increases serotonin secretion since the sea and all the pure beauties that are its products make us feel better. 

Other benefits of this therapy for our mental, physical and mental health can be summarized as follows:

• Helps cleansing the body from toxins, 
• Supports weight loss and tightening, 
• Balances hormones, 
• Promotes a shining and lively skin, 
• Supports the lymphatic  and endocrine systems,
• Helps slow down the aging process.

In some cases, especially if you suffer from chronic diseases, it is recommended that you speak with a medical professional. In addition, this therapy cannot be applied to pregnant women. 

Where Can We Find Thalassotherapy? 

We've already begun fantasizing about immersing ourselves in the calming and relaxing content of the sea. As Spatopia, we put together the centers where you can benefit from this popular therapy. Les Thermes Marins de Saint-Malo in Brittany, France, which is considered the center of thalassotherapy care, Divani Apollon Palace and Thalasso in Greece with a view of the Athens riviera, and Verdura, located on the Sicilian coastline of Italy, are among the prominent centers in the world as examples to centers of the thalassotherapy treatment. In Turkey you can visit Seven Seas Sealight Elite Kuşadası and Kempinski Hotel The Dome  in Antalya can be given as examples. 

With Thalassotherapy you can achieve a healthier body and feel much more relaxed. Should medical professionals see fit, you can experience this therapy that is usually preferred for treatment purposes. Afterwards you can pamper yourself with a spa session to achieve spiritual calmness. For more guiding content on spa culture, keep following Spatopia.