Everything that does you good - The Spa Glossary

For anyone who wants to find out more about the secrets of relaxation and wellbeing.

Algae and Mud Packs
These are very rich in minerals and trace elements and can be administered in the form of full-body baths or specific applications. During contact with the skin under the influence of heat, these nourish the skin and draw out impurities and toxins.

Anti Ageing
Special cosmetic treatments such as bio-lifting procedures, creams and seaweed therapies have been developed to counteract the body's natural signs of aging and which increase energy levels and alleviate the deficiency symptoms that come with age.

Aromatherapy Baths
Essential oils can have an effect on your mood. Bergamot, basil or jasmine are ideal for lifting the spirits. Cypress or sandalwood can help reduce anxiety and rose increases your sensuality. The oils should be added to the bath at the last moment, as they evaporate quickly.

Ayurveda
This Indian philosophy for longevity is believed to have existed for 8,000 years. A holistic health system based on colours, breathing therapy and essential oils.

Cleopatra Bath
This cleansing milk and oil bath with its beneficial minerals has a moisturising effect and not only improves the complexion, but also helps you to relax with calming music and therapeutic aromas.

Evening Primrose Oil Baths
This medicinal plant, which counteracts dry skin when used in an oil bath, is good for the metabolism and circulation and regulates the body's hormonal balance.

Exfoliation
Exfoliation treatments use creams which are applied to the skin to remove impurities and dead skin cells and then gently rubbed off.

Experience Showers
Relax and feel especially good in a different way in a range of showers that allow you to experience everything from tropical rain drops to an arctic downpour.

Facial Treatments
Following a thorough analysis, the best products for your skin type are selected and applied during a facial massage to help deep cleanse your face. The next stage is a face mask, often followed by the application of make-up.

Felke Health Treatments
Devised by naturopath, Emanuel Felke, this health treatment method uses all of nature's remedies, including specific nutrition, Kneipp hydrotherapy and therapeutic clay.

Five Tibetans
Five simple exercises that Himalayan monks believe help to speed up the flow of fluid in the brain and the spinal cord. Very relaxing and good for the concentration.

Hay Treatments
Rheumatic complaints can be alleviated using this treatment. The gentle warmth of the hay and its constituents have a detoxing effect and encourage the body to perspire. Coumarin, an essential oil given off during the treatment, is invigorating but also relaxes the muscles.

Hydrojet Massage
A hydrojet is a waterbed with a built-in massage unit. A moving jet of water performs the massage through the rubber mat on the bed so that the body remains dry.

Hydrotherapy Massage Bath
Underwater jets are used to create waves which move up the whole of the body from the feet to the neck. The effect is both revitalising and relaxing.

Jet Massage
Standing in an upright position, the body is sprayed with high-pressure water jets in the direction of the blood flow. This treatment stimulates the circulation and reduces undesirable curves. Carried out with low-pressure jets, it can have a relaxing and calming effect.

Kneipp Hydrotherapy
This natural healing method devised by Pastor Sebastian Kneipp is based on 5 tenets: hydrotherapy, phytotherapy, exercise, nutrition and a balanced lifestyle. It has a calming effect on the nervous system and boosts the immune system.

LaStone Therapy
Smooth volcanic stones heated to between about 40 and 50°C are placed on the body's energy centres. Then ice-cold marble stones are added creating a stimulating contrast of heat and cold.

Liquid Sound Therapy
This colourful therapy is a combination of music (ranging from classical to electronic) and the interplay of colour and light both above and below the water. As you float in thermal salt-water at body temperature, you are beautifully relaxed and gloriously receptive to the amazing effects of underwater acoustics.

Lomi Lomi
During this therapy, which first used in the temples of Hawaii, therapists gently shake you and massage you with the aim of restoring both spiritual and physical harmony to your body. Calming music, therapeutic chants and the scent of flowers complete the sensual experience.

Lymph Drainage
Slow movements of the hand and thumb are used in this therapeutic massage to stimulate lymphatic circulation and accelerate the removal of toxins.

Massage
Massage involves kneading, patting and stroking the skin which loosens up the muscles, improves the blood flow and relaxes the mind. As well as traditional full and part-body massages there are also numerous other types such as reflexology and anti-stress massages.

Mud Treatments
Mineral mud from volcanic thermal springs is used in cold, body-temperature or hot packs and baths. Mud treatments are especially beneficial for rheumatism when used in conjunction with hot baths and massages.

Oxygen Bar
The newest thing on the wellness market: you sit in a comfortable massage chair or a brain machine and inhale 94% ionised oxygen. It improves the way the body absorbs, uses and transports oxygen. In the long term, you can look up to 10 years younger with improved and firmer skin. Also strengthens your immune system and improves fitness.

Pantai Luar
An old, traditional massage technique from east Asia in which the body is first rubbed with warm oils and then quickly massaged with a pad heated to 120°C . This stimulates cell regeneration.

Qi Gong
Breathing and meditation therapy based on Chinese medicine. In its silent form, it has positive benefits similar to autogenic training.

Reflexology Massage
All the areas of the body can be assigned to pressure points on the soles of the feet. If an organ is not functioning properly, this is apparent on the corresponding area of the foot. Using a special reflexology massage, disorders can be detected and alleviated.

Reiki
Reiki is an ancient Japanese therapy reputed to increase the body's own powers of healing. The therapist's hands are laid on specific points of the body which transmits healing energy and improves wellbeing.

Rhassoul Bath
Various parts of the body are massaged with sponges. You lie in a room with herbal steam rising. Excellent for the circulation.

Schroth Health Treatments
By alternating the days when you drink fluids, this treatment detoxes the body. For the same purpose low-fat, low-protein and low-salt food is eaten to stimulate the circulation.

Shiatsu Massage
A calming massage technique based on the Chinese philosophy of acupuncture. Gentle pressure is applied to correct unequal energy flows.

Sound Massage
A type of sound therapy during which resonating bowls are placed on the body and then struck. The resulting vibrations are transferred to the body and help to reduce stress levels and encourage deep relaxation.

TCM - Traditional Chinese Medicine
Herbal remedies are the most important area of this healing method with strong Buddhist and Taoist influences. The traditional programme of treatments include massage, acupuncture, breathing therapy and exercise.

Thai Chi Chuan
This Chinese exercise style incorporating meditation uses mental focus, harmonic breathing and gentle movements to prevent illness and strengthen the whole body.

Thai Massage
A more vigorous type of massage using the ball of the thumb, elbows and feet, it both loosens the muscles and stretches them using extending movements.

Thalasso Therapy
"Thalassa" is the Greek word for the sea and is the name of a treatment that uses the healing elements of the sea: sea air, seawater and sea mud.

Turkish Bath
Like something out of the Arabian Nights: the hamam, the traditional Turkish bath, offers an eastern form of wellness. It involves sweating, exfoliating, massage and pure relaxation.

Vapozon Steam Treatment
This treatment uses steam containing herbal essences and ozone to deep cleanse the skin.

Yoga
A redemption system based on meditation and asceticism developed from an ancient Indian philosophy and Buddhism. The yoga system consists of concentration, breathing and relaxation exercises and a special diet with the aim of achieving complete control over the body.

Zen
Japanese term for a Buddhist sect whose followers strive towards enlightenment in this life and seek to attain it through a lifestyle based on meditation and practical tasks.