Day Spa FYI - Your Source For Healthy Living

Spa Search - Find the best spas near you

Hydrotherapy– sitz bath, footbath, friction rub, body wraps, salt glow scrub

Hydrotherapy Treatments

Most spas offer a variety of hydrotherapy treatments. Hydrotherapy uses water to treat disease, stress and tension. The term does not refer to any one particular treatment but rather to a broad category of treatments that includes: showers, sitz baths, foot baths, steam inhalation, alternating hot and cold compresses, body wraps and salt glow.

Hydrotherapies use both hot and cold water to either relax or invigorate the body. While warm water soothes and relaxes the body, cold water stimulates. Tense muscles and anxiety respond well to hot water, whereas fatigue and stress-related emotions respond well to refreshingly cold water.

Take a look at the therapies below to get a feel for the type of treatments a nearby spa might offer.

Baths

Sitz Bath

A sitz bath is a warm-water bath taken in the sitting position that covers only the lower torso. It may be used for either healing or hygiene purposes, and the water may contain medication, healing salts or oils.

Foot Bath

Foot baths are the ultimate in feet pampering! Submerge your feet in water scented with aromatic oils and minerals. Your tired feet will feel refreshed and tingly.

Mud Bath

This indulgent treatment is usually a combination of volcanic ash or clay, peat moss and natural spring water. Mud baths draw out your body's toxins and impurities as well as exfoliate and nourish your skin. Immerse yourself in a thick, hot mud mixture and your stress will simply melt away.

Mustard Bath

This stimulating bath is wonderful for opening your pores and removing their impurities. The treatment normally includes a steam in a sauna and a blanket wrap.

Body Wraps

Body wraps help exfoliate, hydrate and tone the skin. They are also used to detoxify the body and improve circulation. The basic body wrap is fairly simple – it involves covering the body with sea clay, mineral or herbal solutions, and then wrapping the body with light sheets.

Body wraps work based on two principles – absorption and compaction. Over time your body collects toxins from the foods you eat, the water you drink and the air you breathe. These toxins can build up in your cells and cause illnesses and other ailments. Body wraps work by first absorbing these toxins (the solution rubbed into your skin opens up your pores and sucks out the impurities) and then compacting, or tightening, your skin, for a more toned look. The clay and other minerals help to open up the body's pores and to draw out impurities.

Different body wraps will provide different results. The most common types of wraps offered at day spas include sea clay, seaweed, herbal, mineral and aloe vera. Overall, sea clay is reputed to be the most absorbent, but some complain that it leaves the skin feeling slightly dry in the days after treatment. The other wraps are almost as absorbent, but they leave your skin feeling a bit more moist and supple.

It is very important to drink lots of water before, during and after a body wrap.

Enzymatic Body Wrap

This wrap combines fruit acids and an invigorating scrub to exfoliate and smooth your roughest skin. Enzymatic body wrap is a wonderful way to cleanse the back's blemish-prone skin.

Herbal Body Wrap

Special herbs are used to soothe your body and muscles as impurities are drawn away. You will feel relaxed, hydrated and cleansed right down to your pores.

Aromatherapy Wrap

Enjoy this wrap of herbs and oils. Breathe deeply to help rid your body of toxins and soothe your soul.

Seaweed Wrap

Experience the ocean's wonderful healing properties with this wrap. Allow nature to detoxify and energize you.

Different spas use different oils, lotions and herbs in their wraps, but the main ingredient combinations used in wraps are Cucumber-Aloe, Papaya-Pineapple, and milk and honey.

Scrubs and Friction Rubs

Also referred to as friction rubs, scrubs help exfoliate and hydrate the skin. Scrubs usually use sugars, salts and other natural ingredients and are applied either by hand or with a special coarse mitten that helps remove dead, dull skin. An energizing path to silkier skin!

Salt Glow

Mineral-rich sea salts can exfoliate dry skin to reveal the healthier and younger skin underneath. Your skin will be silky soft and hydrated after moisturizing. Terrific for removing impurities.

Aromatherapy Scrubs

Aromatherapy scrubs exfoliate the body and soothe the senses with delicate and therapeutic aromas.

Oatmeal Scrubs

These scrubs exfoliate the body and help draw out impurities at the same time.

Other Hydrotherapy Treatments

Steam Inhalation

Some spas use steam inhalation to help break up blockages in the chest after a cold or simply to open up the air passages so that aromatherapy treatments may be more effective.

Hot and Cold Compresses

Hold and cold compresses are applied to the body to relax muscles and help soothe injured areas.

Day spas offer other relaxing spa treatments such as massage, facials, manicures, pedicures and more. Contact a day spa in your area to learn more!