Spa & Salon Glossay
Accupressure - Oriental technique applying pressure to specific "pressure points" on the body to improve the flow of energy.
Acupuncture - Oriental healing technique, inserting needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing and balance.
Abhyanga - Ayurvedic daily ritual of giving and receiving a massage to improve hydration and relaxation without targeting specific areas. Traditionally, its purpose is to optimize total well being and relaxation.
Aroma Therapy - Based on the ancient practice of utilizing essential oils to heal by therapeutically stimulating the nasal olfactory senses, mental responses, circulatory and respiratory functions.
Ayurvedic - Eastern Indian philosophy and practice of utilizing herbal and hot oil treatment, combined with meditation, to create a balance between the internal and external self.
Balneotherapy - Water therapies used to cure a variety of ailments such as stress, arthritis, circulation etc.. It employs mineral salt or purified water.
Basti - Ayurvedic herbal purification treatment.
Brush & Tone - Dry brushing of skin to remove dead cells by exfoliating and to stimulate circulation, followed by an application of hydrating oils or moisturizing agents to soften the skin. The dry brushing technique may also be used as a preparatory step for other treatments such as a seaweed wrap of fango/parafango.
Chakra - Ayurvedic for energy center. It is believed that there are seven chakras, which are all interconnected. When balanced, the physical, mental and spiritual aspect of "Self" is in a state of harmony, contributing to a state of health and well being. Chakras run along the base of the spine to the crown of the head. When imbalance occurs, therapies such as Reiki, colour and light therapy, crystal and stones are believed to re-balance the chakras. Yoga and meditative disciplines also contribute to re-balancing the chakras.
Doshas - Ayurvedic body functions: Vata for blood, circulation and healing. Pitta for heat and metabolism and Kapha for the structure of one's spiritual and philosophical self.
Endermologie - Developed in France, this massage therapy significantly reduces the appearance of cellulite, while defining the figure; performed by an esthetician specifically trained in this therapy.
Essential Oils - The aromatic (liquid) substance extracted from roots, bark, flowers, grasses etc.., which are then used as a part of a cosmetic or therapeutic treatment such as Aroma Therapy.
Esthetician - Skin care specialist who focuses on the treatment of the skin as a part beauty therapy such as a facial or the treatment and maintenance of healthy skin.
Exfoliation - The process of removing and sloughing of dead skin cells. This process also aids in improving circulation through stimulating blood flow. The pressure use to generate the process further aids in relaxation and stress reduction.
Fango Therapy - Treatment utilizing various types of mud, which are rich in minerals and nutrients. Mud removes toxins from the body through the skin's pores and aids in the exfoliation process as well.
Herbal Wrap - Herb-soaked linen sheets are wrapped tightly around the body. The person is then covered with a blanket and has a cold compress applied to the forehead. Treatment lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. It stimulates circulation, detoxification and relaxation. The treatment process elevates body temperature and heart rates. Not recommended for those with heart conditions, high blood pressure or when pregnant.
Hydrotherapy - Anther term for Balneotherapy. Any treatments utilizing water as the primary facilitator (hydro). Water is generally fresh/spring as opposed to seawater (thalassotherapy).
Lymph Drainage - Message treatment of the lymphatic system, which stimulates circulation, reduces edema (water retention) and frees up stored toxins, encouraging them to flow either through manual massage or as a part of a hydrotherapy massage.
Parafango - A combination of paraffin and fango (mud) used to detoxify and exfoliate.
Paraffin - Heated / melted wax that has been infused with hydrating / emollient substances such as menthol, oils etc. Used to ease pain and/or re-hydrate.
Reflexology - Ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Indian therapy focusing on the reflex points of the feet that correspond to specific body organs. Hands and ears have similar reflex points and can be substituted.
Reik - Massage technique using subtle stationary hand positions and points of tension or injury. The therapist's hands are usually fully extended and palms are applied to the effected areas.
Salt Glow - Small amounts of oil and coarse salt are applied to dampened skin in circular or elongated strokes to create a hydrogenated and exfoliating treatment. Aids in circulation.
Shiro Dhara - Ayurvedic treatment of warmed oil slowly pouring over the middle of one's forehead, where the "third eye" resides. Induces total relaxation.
Spa - Facility where one goes for a variety of treatments and reasons whether to relax, rejuvenate, exercise or get pampered. Types of spas include:
Day Spa - A clean, safe and nurturing environment offering an array of spa treatments administered by highly trained and licensed technicians. It is usually a self-contained facility but may also be combined with a salon. Clients frequent this spa for a few hours or a day. Overnight accommodations are not provided.
Amenity Spa or Resort Spa - A spa facility at a resort, where guests who enjoy the spa concept can also take advantage of traditional resort activities.
Destination Spa - All guests participate in a variety of exclusively structured programs, combining weight loss, nutrition, exercise, healing, meditation and pampering. Guests usually stay for a minimum of 3-4 days. Some of these facilities offer only weekly programs. Rejuvenation, relaxation and revitalization are the goals of all these 3 types of spa.
Medical Spa - Spa setting which combines various medically based therapeutic treatments that often blend eastern and western therapies. There is usually a medical director overseeing all treatments in combination with medical doctors of various disciplines. For example: Complementary and alternative medicine, dermatology, plastic surgery or theropedics, along with traditional spa treatments.
Swedish Massage - Massage techniques employing the gentle but firm manipulation of pressure points and muscles. Massage oil or lotion is used to lubricate the skin to promote friction and ease of manipulation.
Swiss Shower - A water therapy treatment combining the use of stationary water jets (12 to 16) which are aimed at pressure areas of the body. The water alternates between hot/cold. It stimulates circulation and relieves tension.
Thai Massage - This massage incorporates acupressure and yoga manipulations by the therapist on the recipient who is situated on a mat on the floor. Recipient remains passive to the therapist at all times. Improving relaxation, spinal and skeletal alignment, increase energy and circulation often induces a meditative state for the recipient.
Thalassotherapy - Hydrotherapy treatment employing the utilization of seawater and marine by-products, which are mineral and nutrient rich with a curative or restorative properties, benefiting the internal and external. It's from the Greek word "thalassa" or seas.
Therapies - In the content of a spa selling and/or environment, a set of prescribed processes designed to generate well being, healing, relaxation, behavior modification etc., which may effect a variety of internal/external ailments of conditions. Specifically:
Phyto - plant
Thermal - heat (including natural mineral springs), wet and massage / manipulation.
Balneo - water (collective adaptation / types)
Thalasso - sea water and marine by-products.
Radon - insert gas
Aroma - essential oils
Masso / Presso - manipulation of pressure points.
Physio - any of the masso / presso, thermal and mechanical adaptations.
Vichy Shower - Multi-jet mechanism suspended over a wet-jet mechanism used as part of various treatments such as seaweed wrap, dulse scrub, fango, mud, gommage etc. Used to not only rinse any remains of the treatment's substance from the body, but also to stimulate circulation.
Whirlpool - A heated pool with high pressure jets that circulate the water, targeting certain pressure points of the body. Aids in reducing stiff joints and aching muscles. It's very relaxing.
