What is a Spa?

“The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts (including hot springs resorts) typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are especially widespread in Europe and Japan. Day spas are also quite popular, and offer various personal care treatments”. (Wikipedia)
Origins of the term: Spa
“The term is derived from the name of the town of Spa, Belgium, whose name is known back to Roman times, when the location was called Aquae Spadanae, sometimes incorrectly connected to the Latin word “spargere” meaning to scatter, sprinkle or moisten.
Since medieval times, illnesses caused by iron deficiency were treated by drinking chalybeate (iron-bearing) spring water (in 1326, the ironmaster Collin le Loup claimed a cure, when the spring was called Espa, a Walloon word for “fountain”).
In 16th century England, the old Roman ideas of medicinal bathing were revived at towns like Bath, and in 1596 William Slingsby who had been to the Belgian town (which he called Spaw) discovered a chalybeate spring in Yorkshire. He built an enclosed well at what became known as Harrogate, the first resort in England for drinking medicinal waters, then in 1596 Dr Timothy Bright after discovering a second well called the resort The English Spaw, beginning the use of the word Spa as a generic description.
It is commonly claimed, in a commercial context, that the word is an acronym of various Latin phrases such as “Salus Per Aquam” or “Sanitas Per Aquam” meaning “health through water”. This is very unlikely: the derivation doesn’t appear before the early 21st century and is probably a “backronym” as there is no evidence of acronyms passing into the language before the 20th century; nor does it match the known Roman name for the location.”(Wikipedia)

Different Kinds of Spas- Short Review

Nowadays Spa is a growing activity, is developing and diversifying very fast because is a widely accepted necessity. Spas are set to enhance your health and well-being.
Meanwhile they also try to become closer to a wider range of pockets, offering as well available high quality products.
When you are in a pampering mood, take a special care of you and go for a spa session.
* Day Spa. Generally they are town spa. They offer spa treatments exclusively on a day-use basis. They usually also offer salon services. Their size and character can have a wide variety.
* Club Spa. A day spa located in a fitness facility or health club.
* Destination Spa. With a sole purpose to help you lead a healthier lifestyle through spa treatments, exercise, and educational programming. Normally you should stay there at least two nights. Some have minimum stays of three or seven nights. Spa cuisine is served exclusively.
* Resort/Hotel Spas. They use to be located within a resort or hotel. They offer spa services, fitness classes and spa cuisine alongside less health choices like steaks and burgers. As you observe resort spa are more adaptable. It’s a good choice for families when one person wants spa and the other golf or swimming. They also work for business travelers.
* Medical Spa. They are more specialized. They offer treatments that require a doctor’s supervision, such as laser resurfacing and Botox injections, weight loss programs. They also offer spa treatments.
* Mineral Springs Spa. They work with natural mineral, thermal or seawater that is used in hydrotherapy treatments.
* Cruise Ship Spa. Aboard a cruise ship that provides spa treatments, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.
* Airport Spa They are located in an airport and specialized in short treatments aimed at the traveler, like 15-minute chair massage and oxygen therapy. Some also offer longer treatments.

Look For In a Good Spa Experience?
Here I give you some Keys.
When we think about going to a spa our all wish is to get a good experience, especially if it is the first time. It’s not just about going someplace that has beautiful rooms or steam and sauna.
The first way you can tell if you’re going to have a good spa experience is to observe how you and other customers are treated. Look around to make sure all employees are treating their clients with respect.

Things to look at when you wish A Good Spa Experience:
* The therapist should be professional, courteous, pleasant and cleanly dressed.
* The treatment should start on time. Therapists should wash their hands before they touch you.
* Therapists should follow your lead in terms of how much talk occurs during the session. They should not discuss their personal problems with you.
* For a good spa experience, massage therapists should be sensitive to the kind of touch you want in terms of pressure. There should never be a sexual quality to their touch.
* You should not be left alone during body wraps, facials, or hydrotherapy baths. Sometimes spas do this, but the best practice is for the therapist to be with the client at any moment, enhancing the service and ensuring your safety.
* Estheticians should ask about your home skin-care routine and offers suggestions, but should not make you feel pressured to buy products.

Feel free to ask questions before, during and after your treatment. And before you book a treatment, you can ask to take a tour to make sure the spa is clean, pleasant and sanitary.

“Knowledge, at work!”