Thalassotherapy comes from the Greek word ‘thalasso’ meaning sea and involves relaxing in and receiving treatments in sea water or simulated sea water. René Quinton,a Frenchman, carried out research on seawater and humans at the turn of the 20th century. He discovered that the skin was a good vehicle for the exchange of warm seawater and blood, allowing the healing minerals from the sea to be absorbed.

Now there are all kinds of treatments which go under the thalassotherapy banner and a wealth of products including salts from the Dead Sea and North Atlantic and shampoos, body lotions, exfoliants, masks and seaweed body wraps. In the UK spas that offer thalassotherapy use water with imported salt, to provide a relaxing haven in the warm healing waters.

It is particularly good for destressing and for any kind of immobility, joint aches and pains, arthritis, disabilities, injuries and skin conditions.

To find out about UK spas go to:  www.britishspas.co.uk or  www.healthfarms-uk.co.uk

For information about European spas go to:  www.thalassa.com

Plato said ‘The sea cures all ailments of man’. What could be more natural than to bathe in the most abundant resource the earth has – the sea? While the healing properties of the sea have been known for thousands of years the first thalassotherapy centres appeared in the 19th century.

The word thalassotherapy comes from the Greek word for sea ‘thalassa’ and centres in the US, Greece and France are on the coast. Thalassotherapy today uses both sea water and seaweed for bathing, water jets, seaweed wraps and algae masks. In addition to algae and mud treatments in Britain the therapy known as thalassotherapy is practised in pools with an even greater concentration of minerals than most oceans and seas.

At the Nirvana Spa in Wokingham there are seven pools, one of which – the Ocean Pool – contains imported Dead Sea salt from Israel. People from all over the world now flock to the Dead Sea to soak up the renowned healing properties for skin complaints, immobility and arthritis.

What is it good for?

Dead Sea salt contains 21 minerals including:

• Magnesium - works with calcium and potassium to balance cells, metabolises Vitamin c and calcium, soothes nerves, helps to convert blood sugar into energy, is essential for nerve and muscle function;
• Potassium - regulates fluid in the body, maintains alkalinity and correct mineral balance and composition of cell fluid, converts glucose to muscle energy, active in enzyme reactions and formation of protein, and essential for nerve and muscle function;
• Iodine - boosts metabolism and an essential ingredient of hormones, particularly in the thyroid;
• Sulphur - an essential component of protein, Vitamin b1 and biotin, required for healthy nails, hair and skin;
• Bromine - passes into the bloodstream through the skin, and works on the nervous system, calming and relaxing nerves;
• and sodium, calcium, lithium, strontium and chloride.


Salt water and algae treatments are excellent for skin conditions like:

• psoriasis and eczema
• joint problems
• arthritis
• poor circulation
• immobility and following operations

Treatments aren’t recommended for people with hyper or over-active thyroid, high or low blood pressure or heart disease because they increase metabolism and heart rate. It is not advisable for pregnant women or anyone who has received chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer as it makes them feel nauseous.

Silky smooth skin

The Nirvana Spa imported 100,000 tonnes of Dead Sea salt and combined it with natural spring water to create two thalassotherapy pools – one for fun and floating and one for physiotherapy, health benefits and relaxation. Visitors spend up to one hour in the warm water so that the minerals can be absorbed into the body, where they are activated by body heat. They help to increase the distribution of nutrients and remove toxins through the lymphatic system, while hydrating the skin until it is ‘silky smooth’ according to Richard Macklin, Manager, at Nirvana.

The salt water soothes dry skin and fights acne, psoriasis and eczema by exfoliating and remineralising the top layer of skin, although sore skin can sting at first contact. Richard continues, ‘Circulation is increased because the pressure of water improves the blood flow back to the heart and speeds up its pace. Some of the minerals are anti-inflammatory and help arthritic conditions and joint pain.

‘We keep the pools at skin temperature – about 35.5 degrees C because there is always a cooling element when water touches skin. The high temperature helps the body to absorb the beneficial minerals and keeps people in a relaxed state. The density of salt completely supports them as if they are on a lilo or waterbed.’

To enhance the experience people are advised to steel themselves to jump in one of the three cold plunge pools afterwards – all at different temperatures. ‘This helps them to detoxify by making the kidneys work more effectively and improving the release of toxins through the urine.’ Anyone who is pregnant, has abnormal blood pressure, or is arthritic is discouraged from using the plunge pool at all.



Providing a lifeline

The benefits of thalassotherapy are extolled by Alan Zammit, Director of Rehabilitation at the Fortina Spa in Malta. He claims, ‘I have been a physiotherapist for 14 years and genuine thalassotherapy treatments have opened up a whole new world for myself and my patients.

‘Someone who has been partially disabled and unable to get out of bed can be placed in a thalassotherapy pool where he or she is able to move about freely under the advice of a physiotherapist with little to no pain.

‘You cannot imagine the look on a patient’s face who has undergone numerous humiliations and seen loads of specialists who have told him that ‘your pain is all in your mind’ or ‘you’ll have to learn to live with it’. Finding someone who understands them and an individualised programme could be the ray of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel.

‘It may be the weightlessness of the concentrated sea water and the effect of warmth which gives a sense of wellbeing which in turn calms patients, reduces muscle spasm and helps with sleep and concentration.’

CASE STUDY

Gerry Crownson’s life was changed when he went on a two week holiday to the Hotel Fortina. The 72 year old Yorkshire man stayed for six weeks, lost 40 kilos in weight and went from a size 6XL jumper to normal large!

‘I didn’t even know I was fat but I used to blame anything and everything for my weight. I was convinced I would never be able to lose any until the people at Hotel Fortina took me in hand. I did three thalassotherapy sessions every day which included all the treatments on offer as well as having physiotherapy in the pool. I went for a daily walk and started having a healthy diet.

‘I used to walk with a stick, which I no longer need, but I also have much more energy, can sleep well at night and don’t keep dropping off during the day. It has given me a new lease of life. I come back twice a year for a holiday and do all the treatments again.’

For more information contact: Nirvana Spa, www.nirvanaspa.co.uk
0118 989 7575
Fortina Spa Resort, Malta: www.hotelfortina.com, 0800 917 3001.