Thalassotherapy
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Posted by Elaine Moore Apr 6, 2008 |
Thalassotherapy is an ancient seawater therapy used at luxury and medical spas to relieve stress and inflammation and hydrate skin. Discovered in Brittany, France in the 19th century, thalassotherapy relies on Dead Sea salts, sea algae, or seawater. Performed near the sea, for instance in the Greek Islands, Brittany or the Dead Sea, thalassotherapy therapies are considered by traditionalists to be the most authentic.
In the 1960’s thalassotherapy's use was revived by the Tour de France cyclist, Louison Bobet, who was injured and healed by the seawater of his native Brittany. He was so impressed that he promoted this healing art. Consequently, there are now fifty thalassotherapy centers lining coastal France. At modern spas worldwide, thalassotherapy is offered in body wraps, mud and seaweed baths and saltwater soaks.
Medical Benefits
According to J. Paul DeVierville, PhD, a professor at St. Philip’s College and Spa Director at the Alamo Plaza Spa at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, during seawater therapies, the skin absorbs hydrating and replenishing salts, minerals and trace elements. These nutrients reduce inflammation, redness, and rough skin.
The principles of thalassotherapy are based on the premise that blood plasma is physiologically similar to seawater. It’s believed that warming seawater to body temperature activates negative ions that penetrate the body and nourish organs. Thalassotherapy is considered especially effective in restoring elasticity to sagging skin due to aging or sudden weight loss, or following pregnancy.
Home Treatments
Thalassotherapy treatments are also available for home use. Soaking in a bath rich in Epsom salts is a simple form of thalassotherapy. Other products used for home treatments include: Shea Terra Organics Lavender of the Khoisan Indigenous Shea Butter Dead Seal Salt Scrub, Phytomer Oligomarin Remineralizing Marine Bath, and Zia Fresh Cleansing Gel with Sea Algae.
Resources:
Thalassotherapy, Natural Health, April 2008.