© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists BATH AND SHOWER TECHNIQUES HEAT & COLD APPLICATIONS EXFOLIATION THALASSOTHERAPY LESSON S-2.0

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. SPA THOUGHT “Nature’s blood is water.” Professor Jonathan Paul De Vierville, Ph.D.

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. DO SPA TREATMENTS REALLY WORK? The short answer to this question is “yes!” The effectiveness of many spa therapies is the direct result of basic hydrotherapy.

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. HYDROTHERAPY the application of water in its liquid, solid, or vapor forms, either externally or internally, to induce health benefits in the recipient

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. HYDROTHERAPY EFFECTS The primary physiological effects of hydrotherapy fall into three categories: –thermal –mechanical –chemical

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. THERMAL EFFECTS By far the most important effect Caused by application of water at temperatures above or below body temp Causes changes in circulation, digestion, perspiration, and other functions

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. MECHANICAL EFFECTS Caused by the impact of water on the body –hydrotherapy tubs –Jacuzzis –showers Mild (shower) or intense (hydro tub) Impact stimulates local circulation, decreasing muscle aches and pains

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. CHEMICAL EFFECTS Ingesting spa waters –European spa clients often drink mineral-laden spa waters. Using water for colonic irrigation

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. BATH TECHNIQUES Bathing has been, during many times in many cultures, the essence of the spa experience. In much of the world, “taking the waters” is used interchangeably with “going to a spa.”

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. BALNEOTHERAPY Means “therapeutic bathing,” from the Latin balneum (bath), and includes: –all types of water thermal spring, mineral, silt-filled –additives used in the waters herbs, powders, oils, & gases –the thermal, mechanical, & chemical effects of the waters, plus the additives

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. THERAPEUTIC BATHS 1. Herbal Bath 2. Essential Oil Bath 3. Seaweed Bath 4. Fango Bath/Mud Bath 5. Mineral Bath 6. Enzyme Bath 7. Whirlpool Bath 8. Hydrotherapy Tub Bath

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. THERAPEUTIC BATHS (CONT.) 9. Underwater Massage 10. Cold Bath/Cold Plunge 11. Carbon Dioxide Bath 12. Hot Bath 13. Contrast Bath 14. Localized Bath 15. Foot Bath 16. Sitz Bath

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. HYDROTHERAPY TUB Used by top spas Powerful underwater massage hose Jets separated into zones for customized treatments

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. HYDROTHERAPY TUB BATH Thermal and mechanical effects of water create primary benefits Therapeutic ingredients also have effects –essential oils –seaweed extracts –clay powders –herbs

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Found extensively in spas A quick way to close pores and refresh the body Improves immune functioning COLD PLUNGE

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Roman thermae featured cold plunges. –room called the frigidarium for cooling –as important as warming the body –Sebastian Kneipp recommended cold baths Most clients skip the cold plunge. –miss out on the benefits of contrast therapy –therapists can educate clients about benefits COLD PLUNGE

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Spa shower techniques: any directed spray of water for therapeutic purposes from one or more outlets, aimed at clients who are either standing or lying down Percussive treatments that meld both mechanical and thermal therapeutic effects SHOWER TECHNIQUES

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Vichy shower Swiss shower Scotch hose TYPES OF SPA SHOWERS

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. MAIN EFFECTS OF HEAT/COLD Local Systemic Reflex

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. LOCAL EFFECTS OF HEAT Affects skin & tissues 3–4 cm deep Increases circulation & metabolic processes Draws white blood cells for healing & detox Creates vasodilation Helps diminish pain & muscle spasms Applied w/ fomentations, hydrocollator, etc.

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. SYSTEMIC EFFECTS OF HEAT Vasodilation of superficial blood vessels Increased heart rate Quick spike then drop in blood pressure Increased sweating (diaphoresis) Muscles & soft tissues more supple Increased diuresis (elimination by kidneys)

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. REFLEX EFFECTS OF HEAT Application of heat to one area causes increased circulation & heat in another Spa treatments that heat the skin also affect internal organs

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. LOCAL EFFECTS OF COLD Vasoconstrictor, analgesic, tonic Blood flow restricted Skin blanches Local circulation slowed Local tissue temp lowered 10–20 minutes lowers metabolic process Brief = stimulating; prolonged = sedative

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. SYSTEMIC & REFLEX EFFECTS OF COLD Lessens sensibility to pain – analgesic Local muscle tone increased – tonic Few spa treatments involve systemic cold –contrast therapies, cold plunge Long exposure to cold – hunting response –body attempts to re-warm by dilating & contracting blood vessels

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. MAJOR CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR HEAT THERAPIES High or low blood pressure Cardiovascular conditions Diabetes Fever Pregnancy

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. SPECIAL PREGNANCY ISSUE No deep strokes or heat application to legs! In second trimester, more clotting factor Higher fibrinogenic activity Risk of deep vein thrombosis 5x higher Risk of dislodging a blood clot Avoid 3 months postpartum

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Most popular is cold plunge Other therapies include: –wet sheet wraps –sunburn-relief cooling treatments –cold mitten friction Localized applications: –ice pack –cold compress SPA COLD TREATMENTS

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Main effects are created through the removal of heat from the body Recommended for: –reducing fever & inflammation –soothing minor sunburn –cooling down during & after heat applications Also exert effects through retrostasis –heat removed from one area & sent to another SPA COLD TREATMENTS (CONT.)

© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Intensity depends upon several factors: –water temp (ranges from ice to 60 º F) –duration –frequency with which material is dipped in cold water –vigor of the friction applied SPA COLD TREATMENTS (CONT.)