A
accupressure
Traditional Chinese pressure-point massage used to stimulate
the flow of energy in the body.
acupuncture
Traditional Chinese healing technique based on Taoist philosophy.
It can be administered by using needles, low-voltage electric
current (electro acupuncture), or pinpoint massage (acupressure).
alexander technique
Method of re-educating the mind and body to improve movement.
The focus is on applying the appropriate amount of energy
for each activity in order to improve posture and balance
and to eliminate stress-inducing habits.
algotherapy
Seaweed bath that is a form of thalasso therapy.
anti-aging
Product or treatment that combats or defends against the
aging process. applied kinesiology
Study of muscles, especially the mechanics of human motion.
aromatherapy
Treatments such as massage, facials, body wraps, or hydrobaths
that include the application of fragrant essential oils.
Different oils are used for different therapeutic benefits.
asanas
Various yoga postures or poses. The practice of these physical
poses is a fundamental stage in many branches of the yoga
system
Ayurveda
Ancient Indian system of traditional folk medicine from
India using a variety of techniques, incorporating nutrition,
herbal medicine, aromatherapy, massage, and meditation to
restore the organism to perfect balance
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B
balneotherapy
The use of water to restore and revitalize the body. Since
antiquity, balneotherapy has been used to improve circulation,
fortify the immune system, and relieve pain and stress.
Bindi
Bodywork combining exfoliation, herbal treatment, and light
massage.
body sculpting
Fitness program using weight, flexibility, and endurance
training; but not running or jumping, to shape hips, thighs,
upper arms, and buttocks without creating bulk.
body wrap (herbal wrap)
Treatment in which strips of cloth are soaked in herbal
teas and cocooned around the body.
botanicals
Plant part or extract used in hair or skin products.
brush and tone
Dry brushing of the skin intended to remove dead layers
and impurities while stimulating circulation. This is one
of many exfoliating techniques used as a pretreatment for
mud and seaweed body masks that are formed by the application
of a moisturizing lotion.
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C
cellulite
Deposits of lumpy fat and fibrous tissue that cause dimpling
of the skin in the thighs, hips, and buttocks of some women.
city hotel or urban spas
Located in metropolitan hotels, some of these spas are open
only to hotel guests, while others are accessible to the
general public
collagen therapy
Injection of collagen beneath the skin with a fine needle
to fill out wrinkles and lines.
colonic
Intense water irrigation of the entire colon, intended to
release trapped impurities and prevent the recycling of
toxins into the bloodstream.
color therapy/chromatherapy
Use of color to balance mental and spiritual health through
the use of colored rooms, light bulbs, fabrics, etc. The
technique dates back to ancient Egypt.
complementary medicine
Treatments and therapies used in conjunction with traditional
medicine. Alternative medicine, in contrast, replaces traditional
therapies.
cosmeceuticals or cosmaceuticals
Topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical combinations intended to
improve the health and appearance of skin.
cranio-sacral therapy
Treatment that focuses on the connection between the skull
and the base of the spine along the spinal column. The therapist's
palpitations in those areas are said to release blockages
in the circulation of the cerebral-spinal fluid and allow
it to flow more freely.
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D
day spa
Establishment that provides beautifying, relaxing, or pampering
experiences that can last an hour or may take a whole day.
Can be freestanding or connected to health clubs, hotels,
or department stores.
dead sea mud treatment
Application of mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea in Israel.
Used to detoxify skin and body and to ease painful symptoms
of rheumatism and arthritis.
destination spa
Establishments that focus exclusively on lifestyle improvement,
health enhancement, and self-renewal in the company of like-minded
people
detoxification
Cleansing the body of poisons or toxins that may have accumulated
through addictive habits
doshas
According to Ayurvedic medicine, the three metabolic types
(vata, pitta, and Kapha). Most people are a combination
of types, though are predominately one.
dry brush
Procedure using a natural-bristle brush to remove dead skin
and impurities while stimulating circulation. This is one
of many exfoliating techniques used prior to mud and seaweed
body masks.
duo massage
Massage treatment performed in simultaneously by two therapists.
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E
effleurage
Massage technique involving quick, long strokes used at
the beginning and end of certain treatments.
endermologie
French massage therapy said to reduce the appearance of
cellulite.
essential oils
Aromatic liquids extracted from flowers, grasses, fruits,
leaves, roots, or trees. The oils maintain the odors and
tastes, and thus the essence, of the plant they are extracted
from.
European facial
Treatment that begins with deep cleansing, steam, exfoliation,
and professional massage of the face, shoulders, and chest
area, followed by special mask that hydrates the skin.
exfoliation
Procedure to slough top layer of dead skin cells off the
face or body. Dry brush, loofah scrub, and salt glow are
among the techniques used in conjunction with ingredients
including grape seed, sugar, clay, and salt.
eyebrow threading
Ancient method of hair removal developed in the Middle East
and Asia that uses a cotton thread to pull out unwanted
hair at the root.
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F
facial
Generic term for treatment of skin in the face that usually
includes massaging, cleansing, toning, steaming, exfoliating,
and moisturizing.
fango
From the Italian word for mud, a treatment that uses mineralized
mud mixed with oil or water and applied over the body as
a heat pack to detoxify the skin, soothe the muscles, and
stimulate circulation.
feng shui
Chinese art of determining the most propitious design and
placement of a structure or site to achieve maximum harmony
between the flow of energy between the place and its inhabitant.
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G
gommage
Cleansing, rehydrating treatment using creams that are applied
in long movements, similar to a massage.
green tea
Tea whose leaves come from the same shrub as black tree
but are heated before oxidation (called fermentation) is
complete. It may reduce risk of cancer and help prevent
cardiovascular disease.
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H
hatha yoga
Branch of yoga that is devoted to the physical processes
(as opposed to others that focus on wisdom, meditation,
service, etc.) and involves breathing and physical exercises.
There are many types of physical yoga.
henna
Dye from a natural plant substance used especially in Middle
East in many cultures to decorate skin as part of ceremonial
rituals. It is used also to color hair in West
herbal wrap
Treatment using strips of cloth soaked in a heated herbal
solution to wrap around the body. It is used for relaxation
and said to eliminate impurities and detoxify.
holistic medicine
System of heath care that looks at the entire person, taking
into account physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional,
social, spiritual and lifestyle values, and avails itself
all modes of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and
surgery in the absence of a safe alternative. The patient
is urged to make personal efforts to achieve balance and
well-being.
hot stone therapy
Relaxing, therapeutic treatment in which dark, smooth stones
heated in hot water or hot spring pools are placed or stroked
with light pressure on areas of the body such as the back,
in the palms, and between the toes. Cold stones may also
be used.
hydrotherapy
Treatment using water therapeutically to aid relaxation
in a variety of procedures such as underwater jet massage,
different types of showers, and mineral baths. Thalassotherapy,
using seawater for hydrotherapy, has long been a staple
in European spas.
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I
ISPA
International Spa Association, a professional organization
representing all aspects of the spa industry: club spas,
cruise ship spas, day spas, destination spas, resort/hotel
spas, medical spas, and mineral springs spas.
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J
juice fast
Short-term diet regimen consisting of only fresh fruit or
vegetable juices. Advocates claim it detoxifies the body.
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K
Kneipp baths
Water therapies originated by Germany's Father Sebastian
Kniepp, a holistic teacher and proponent of natural remedies.
Originally involving dips in the icy Danube, nowadays the
therapy involves immersion both in warm and cold water.
krauter bath
Based on German natural remedy, this is a strong, aromatic
herbal bath solution.
kur
From the German "kur," a planned course of spa
treatments that typically involve mineral water, mud baths,
algae, and herbs. "Taking the kur" might be a
ten- to twenty-day process every three months.
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L
loofah scrub
Exfoliation with a sponge made of the fibrous skeleton of
the loofah, a vegetable from the gourd family. Loofah is
used extensively in Europe and Asia because of its effectiveness
in removing dry skin and stimulating circulation.
lymph drainage
Form of massage in which hands and fingers apply gentle,
wave-like movements meant to stimulate circulation in the
lymph system to drain away excess fluids and trapped toxins.
It is said to have many healthful benefits.
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M
massage
Manipulation of tissues, usually manually, to improve health
and well-being by relaxing muscles, relieving tension, and
improving circulation.
medical spa
Destination or day spa that offers traditional and complementary
medical services supervised or administered by medical professionals.
A spa may specialize in diagnostic testing, preventive care,
cosmetic procedures, or a combination.
medi-spa
Any facility, usually a day spa, that offers both medical
treatments and spa therapies.
meditation
Practice of using mental skills to perform such feats as
focusing attention on a single object for a long period
of time; cultivating compassion, which involves the transforming
of negative events; and creating a state of pure awareness
of thoughts, emotions, and sensations without reacting.
Meditation is said to increase emotional well-being and
is being studied for alleged benefits to physical health.
mineral springs spa
Spa offering an on-site source of mineral-rich thermal or
seawater that is used in hydrotherapy or thalassotherapy.
moor peat baths
Uses mud harvested from a moor or a peat marsh that is rich
in proteins, organic matter, vitamins, and minerals. It
is used as a body or facial treatment to hydrate and exfoliate
the skin and in a bath to ease aches and pains.
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N
neuromuscular integration
Body work and exercise system that focuses on the interaction
between the central nervous system and the muscles of the
body.
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O
organic
Food produced with the exclusive use of feed or fertilizer
of plant or animal origin and without the use of chemicals
in any fashion, including growth hormones, pesticides, fertilizers.
oxygen facial
From "porous bones," progressive disease in which
bones become weaker. It most commonly affects post-menopausal
women. Weight-baring exercises are helpful in maintaining
bone health, as is sufficient intake of calcium.
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P
paraffin treatment
Heated paraffin wax is brushed over the body to soothe muscles
and, by drawing out the dirt, removing the dead skin, and
drawing out perspiration through the head, leave skin clean
and soft.
photo rejuvenation
Treatment with laser light to smooth wrinkles, diminish
the appearance of age spots, broken capillaries, and rosacea
phytotherapy
Healing treatment with plants, such as herbs and seaweed,
and in the form of aromatic essential oils and herbal and
floral extracts, applied in conjunction with massage, packs
and wraps, water and steam therapies, inhalation treatments,
and homeopathy.
polarity massage
Therapeutic, relaxing treatment involving hands placed along
the energy meridians, stretching, and light rocking to bring
the body's own energy into balance.
power yoga
Energetic workout involving a sequence of postures (asanas)
that flow into one another and that emphasize building body
heat and breaching mindfully. Stretches and strengthens
muscle while creating a calm and clear mind.
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Q
Qi Gong (also spelled Chi Gung or Chi Kung)
From qi (energy) and gong (the achievement that comes from
practice), a group of Chinese self-healing exercises. They
combine simple movement, breathing, and mental imagery to
relax and strengthen the body and the mind.
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R
reflexology
Ancient Chinese technique that uses pressure-point massage,
usually on the feet (but also on the hands and ears), to
restore the flow of energy throughout the entire body.
repaichage
Full-body treatment meant that uses a combination of clay,
herbs, seaweed, and mud to deal with the differing cleansing
and moisturizing needs of different parts of your body and
face.
resort spa
Spa facility offering treatments and services at a vacation
destination that also offers such activities, such as golf,
tennis, horseback riding, skiing, water sports, and children's
programs.
restorative yoga
Passive yoga poses lasting up to 20 minutes, supported by
pillows, towels, etc., and meant to encourage relaxation
via the release of tension in the muscles and spine. Also
quiets the mind, rejuvenates the body-mind connection, and
doesn't require flexibility or athletic ability of other
forms of yoga.
Roman bath
Traditionally, a series of hot, warm, and cold pools, but
today used to refer to a hot whirlpool or Jacuzzi with benches.
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S
Saint-John's-wort
Medicinal herb taken in tablet, brewed as tea, or used as
ointment believed by some to relieve mild to moderate depression.
May be counter-indicated for anyone on antidepressant medication
or who is photosensitive or allergic.
salt glow
Body treatment in which skin is rubbed with coarse salt,
sometimes in combination with fragrant oils, to exfoliate
and stimulate circulation.
sauna
Bathing process that consists of periods of perspiring in
the heat and steam created by throwing water on heated stones.
In combination with refreshing cold showers, sauna therapy
is said to enhance the body's immune system and relieve
stress.
seaweed wrap
Body treatment using concentrated seawater and seaweed that
contains nutrients including minerals, rare trace elements,
vitamins, and proteins. Said by proponents to detoxify,
increase circulation, and improve appearance of cellulite.
shiatsu
Massage technique developed in Japan in which therapist
applies pressure to specific points in the body to simulate
and unblock "meridians" (pathways through which
energy is said to flow).
shirodhara
Ayurvedic treatment lasting 7 to l0 minutes during which
stream of oil is poured in the center of your forehead (on
your "third eye") in order to help you focus,
concentrate, and relax your mind and body.
spa
The International Spa Association(ISPA) defines the word
spa in the following way: "Spas are devoted to enhancing
overall well-being through a variety of professional services
that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit."
sports massage
Indoor cycling on stationary bikes that allow riders to
adjust resistance to make pedaling easier or harder. Class
instructors guide students through a virtual hilly course
and cue students about adjusting resistance.
steam room
Room where temperatures are kept at 110 to 130? F and humidity
is generated in order to soften the skin, clean the pores,
calm the nervous system, and relieve tension.
Swedish Massage
Classical European massage technique of manipulating muscles
with the use of massage oils. Meant for relaxation and to
improve circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, and
improve flexibility.
Swiss shower
Treatment that involves powerful shower jets directed at
the body from various heights, creating the effect of an
invigorating massage.
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T
tai chi
Chinese martial art that uses forms, stylized gestures regulated
by deep breathing, and the movement of the diaphragm to
unite body and mind in order to achieve mental clarity,
balance, and improved circulation. It involves mental concentration,
visualization, and graceful, dancelike movements.
Thai massage
Traditionally done on the floor, with client dressed in
loose clothing, a full-body treatment that involves passive,
yoga-like stretching and pressure-point massage along the
body's major energy channels to release blocked energy,
relieve tension, and increase awareness and tranquility.
thalassotherapy
Treatments using sea and seawater products such as seaweed
and seaweed wraps. See also hydrotherapy.
Therapies
In the context of a spa setting and/or environment, a set
of prescribed processes designed to generate well being,
healing, relaxation, behavior modification, etc., which
may affect a variety of internal/external ailments or conditions.
Specifically.
