Spa glossary S-U
S
Salt glow
A treatment where salt is rubbed over the body to remove dead skin cells – often involves circular or long strokes to exfoliate and improve circulation. This treatment is not suitable for people with high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Sauna
A heated wooden room with benches for sitting/laying. The dry heat of the room opens pores and allows toxins to sweat out. A cold shower or cold plunge should follow to allow the pores to close.
Scotch hose
Water treatment using pressurised hoses on specific pressure points on the body, alternating hot and cold water to relieve tension and improve circulation.
Seaweed wrap
A wrap using seaweed and nutrient-rich algae.
Shiatsu
Japanese acupressure massage with pressure applied with fingers, hands, elbows and feet.
Shiro-Abahyanga-Nasya
Combines deep head, neck and shoulder massage with a facial lymphatic massage, followed by the inhalation of aromatic steam and a nasal and sinus Nasaya with herbal nose drops. It is designed to balance and alleviate most head, neck and respiratory disorders.
Shirodhara
Ayurvedic treatment in which warm oil is gently poured over the centre of the forehead and gently massaged into the hair and scalp.
Siddha Vaidya
Ayurvedic medical treatment using plant substances to balance a person’s dosha.
Soft pack system/dry floatation
A person sinks into a dry waterbed while wrapped in heated mud or herbal applications.
Spa
An abbreviation for the Latin phrase ‘solus per aqua’ meaning ‘to enter by means of water’ or ‘healing through water’.
A centre for relaxation, rejuvenation, exercise, and various treatments often involving massages, skin and body treatments.
Spa cuisine
Food served at a spa normally including fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and wholegrains to provide natural low-calorie and low-fat meals.
Sports massage
Massage designed to relieve tension and specific muscle tightness caused by sport or other strenuous activity; often involves deep tissue massage strokes.
Steam room
Similar to a sauna, this room provides hot steam to open pores to help release toxins from the body.
Sweat lodge
A natural sauna made of heated rocks inside a mud hut; attributed to Native American Indians.
Swedana
A herbal steam room treatment that reduces tension and releases toxins through the skin.
Swedish massage
This massage involves kneading, firm stroking and tapping of pressure points often using lotions or oils as lubricants; developed in the late 19th century by Par Heinrik Ling in Stockholm.
Swiss shower
A multi-jet shower that alternates hot and cold water to relieve tension and improve circulation. Normally used after mud treatments or wraps.
Salt glow
A treatment where salt is rubbed over the body to remove dead skin cells – often involves circular or long strokes to exfoliate and improve circulation. This treatment is not suitable for people with high blood pressure or heart conditions.
Sauna
A heated wooden room with benches for sitting/laying. The dry heat of the room opens pores and allows toxins to sweat out. A cold shower or cold plunge should follow to allow the pores to close.
Scotch hose
Water treatment using pressurised hoses on specific pressure points on the body, alternating hot and cold water to relieve tension and improve circulation.
Seaweed wrap
A wrap using seaweed and nutrient-rich algae.
Shiatsu
Japanese acupressure massage with pressure applied with fingers, hands, elbows and feet.
Shiro-Abahyanga-Nasya
Combines deep head, neck and shoulder massage with a facial lymphatic massage, followed by the inhalation of aromatic steam and a nasal and sinus Nasaya with herbal nose drops. It is designed to balance and alleviate most head, neck and respiratory disorders.
Shirodhara
Ayurvedic treatment in which warm oil is gently poured over the centre of the forehead and gently massaged into the hair and scalp.
Siddha Vaidya
Ayurvedic medical treatment using plant substances to balance a person’s dosha.
Soft pack system/dry floatation
A person sinks into a dry waterbed while wrapped in heated mud or herbal applications.
Spa
An abbreviation for the Latin phrase ‘solus per aqua’ meaning ‘to enter by means of water’ or ‘healing through water’.
A centre for relaxation, rejuvenation, exercise, and various treatments often involving massages, skin and body treatments.
Spa cuisine
Food served at a spa normally including fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and wholegrains to provide natural low-calorie and low-fat meals.
Sports massage
Massage designed to relieve tension and specific muscle tightness caused by sport or other strenuous activity; often involves deep tissue massage strokes.
Steam room
Similar to a sauna, this room provides hot steam to open pores to help release toxins from the body.
Sweat lodge
A natural sauna made of heated rocks inside a mud hut; attributed to Native American Indians.
Swedana
A herbal steam room treatment that reduces tension and releases toxins through the skin.
Swedish massage
This massage involves kneading, firm stroking and tapping of pressure points often using lotions or oils as lubricants; developed in the late 19th century by Par Heinrik Ling in Stockholm.
Swiss shower
A multi-jet shower that alternates hot and cold water to relieve tension and improve circulation. Normally used after mud treatments or wraps.
T
Tai chi
Ancient Chinese martial arts involving slow, graceful movements while focusing on relaxed breathing and concentration.
Temazcal
Aztec sweat lodge made of brick or stone and dark inside. It is filled with intense heat and steam to detoxify the body, while the dark relaxes the mind.
Thai massage
A deep tissue and acupressure massage also involving yoga postures as the person lies on a floor mat. The massage helps align the skeletal system, ease muscle stiffness and promote relaxation.
Thalassotherapy
From the Greek term ‘thalassa; or sea. A hydrotherapy treatment using fresh sea water and mineral-rich marine products that have curative properties.
Therapies
Treatments designed for spa facilities to relax, stimulate and heal the body. Often contain the following prefixes:
¨ Aroma – essential oils
¨ Balneo – using hot spring mineral water
¨ Hydro – water
¨ Masso/presso – manipulation of pressure points
¨ Physio – any of the masso/presso, thermal and mechanical adaptations
¨ Phtyo – plant
¨ Radon – inert gas
¨ Thalasso – sea water and marine products
¨ Thermal – heat, wet and dry
Toxins
Metabolic waste from the body.
Traeger massage
Massage technique using gentle, rhythmic rocking motions in order to relax the body and relieve tension from joints.
Tui Na
Asian bodywork technique that combines the use of acupressure and massage to balance energy and flush toxins from the body.
Turkish bath/hamam
Tai chi
Ancient Chinese martial arts involving slow, graceful movements while focusing on relaxed breathing and concentration.
Temazcal
Aztec sweat lodge made of brick or stone and dark inside. It is filled with intense heat and steam to detoxify the body, while the dark relaxes the mind.
Thai massage
A deep tissue and acupressure massage also involving yoga postures as the person lies on a floor mat. The massage helps align the skeletal system, ease muscle stiffness and promote relaxation.
Thalassotherapy
From the Greek term ‘thalassa; or sea. A hydrotherapy treatment using fresh sea water and mineral-rich marine products that have curative properties.
Therapies
Treatments designed for spa facilities to relax, stimulate and heal the body. Often contain the following prefixes:
¨ Aroma – essential oils
¨ Balneo – using hot spring mineral water
¨ Hydro – water
¨ Masso/presso – manipulation of pressure points
¨ Physio – any of the masso/presso, thermal and mechanical adaptations
¨ Phtyo – plant
¨ Radon – inert gas
¨ Thalasso – sea water and marine products
¨ Thermal – heat, wet and dry
Toxins
Metabolic waste from the body.
Traeger massage
Massage technique using gentle, rhythmic rocking motions in order to relax the body and relieve tension from joints.
Tui Na
Asian bodywork technique that combines the use of acupressure and massage to balance energy and flush toxins from the body.
Turkish bath/hamam
A traditional bathing experience in Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries involving scrubbing by an attendant and strong massage.
U
Udvartina
A deeply penetrating and exfoliating herbal paste massage designed to condition the skin while stimulating the lymphatic system and detoxifying tissues.
Ultra sound
A therapy performed by a physical therapist or chiropractor using high-frequency sound waves in order to alleviate pain caused by injuries to the body. The frequency probe often uses heat as part of the process.
Underwater massage (also known as aqua massage)
A massage performed with various water pressure jets while a person is submerged in water.
Udvartina
A deeply penetrating and exfoliating herbal paste massage designed to condition the skin while stimulating the lymphatic system and detoxifying tissues.
Ultra sound
A therapy performed by a physical therapist or chiropractor using high-frequency sound waves in order to alleviate pain caused by injuries to the body. The frequency probe often uses heat as part of the process.
Underwater massage (also known as aqua massage)
A massage performed with various water pressure jets while a person is submerged in water.