Thalassotherapy Holidays

Originating in 19th century France, Thalassotherapy comes from the Greek word for "sea", and is the therapeutic use of seawater or salt water as well as marine products such as algae, seaweed, and marine mud to improve health and beauty.

The principle behind thalassotherapy is that repeated immersion in warm seawater, marine mud, and protein-rich algae helps restore the body's natural chemical balance. Seawater and human plasma are very similar in terms of mineral content and when immersed in warm seawater, the body absorbs the minerals it needs -- trace elements of magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and iodide -- through the skin.

Thalassotherapy comes in various forms, and encompasses hydrotherapy, such as mineral-rich showers, seawater pools, and hydro-massage, and algotherapy, such as seaweed, algae or mud baths and wraps. Marine extracts can also be found in products used for facials, manicures and pedicures.

Most modern thalassotherapy centres are located by the ocean in destinations such as Portugal, Greece, France and Spain and have complex facilities, including pools of varying sizes and temperatures for various purposes. The seawater comes from a depth of 40 feet so there is no surface pollution. It also comes from some distance from shore.

BENEFITS OF A THALASSOTHERAPY RETREAT

Thalassotherapy today is used to treat a multitude of health problems, including muscle aches, joint pains, and other ailments involving stiffness, swelling, and tenderness. Health conditions including fatigue, back pain, poor circulation, and arthritis respond remarkably well to thalasso treatments, as do skin disorders such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. More recently thalasso has also been used for stress relief and weight loss.

Thalassotherapy works because repeated bathing in warm seawater, marine mud, protein-rich algae, and various micronized seaweeds can restore the body’s natural chemical balance. In addition, the warmth of the water promotes healthy muscles and joints, and the salt is beneficial to the skin.