Treatments / Procedures
Treatments at European Spas generally fall into one of a few categories: water-based treatments, mud treatments, and facial treatments, as well as more complex procedures using electrical currents, lasers, and ultrasound. Medical spa treatments can relieve stress, help relieve health issues such as gastrointestinal illnesses, skin problems, metabolic disorders, obesity, and many others. Medical spa treatments are especially helpful for those recuperating from an illness, and help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle not only in the short term, but over time, too.
Water Treatments
Water treatments make use of natural mineral, thermal or seawater for providing hydrotherapy treatments to spa users. According to the International SPA Association (ISPA), hydrotherapy has long been a staple in European spas. It's the term for water therapies using jets, underwater massage and mineral baths (e.g. balneotherapy, Kneipp treatments, thalassotherapy) and others. It also can mean a whirlpool bath, hot Roman bath, hot tub, Jacuzzi, cold plunge and mineral bath. These treatments use physical water properties, such as temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes, to stimulate blood circulation and treat the symptoms of certain diseases.
The recuperative and healing properties of hydrotherapy are based on its mechanical and/or thermal effects. It exploits the body's reaction to hot and cold stimuli, to the protracted application of heat, to pressure exerted by the water and to the sensation it gives, stimulating the immune system, influencing the production of stress hormones, invigorating the circulation and digestion, encouraging blood flow, and lessening pain sensitivity. Generally, heat quiets and soothes the body, slowing down the activity of internal organs. Cold, in contrast, stimulates and invigorates, increasing internal activity. Water, in motion, stimulates touch receptors on the skin, boosting blood circulation and releasing tight muscles.
Mud Treatments
Mud soothes away aches and pains, increases blood circulation, and relaxes you. Spa mud draws impurities from the skin. Mud baths use mud usually brought from areas where hot spring water combines with volcanic ash to form mineral-dense heavy mud or clay. Mud baths have existed for thousands of years, and can be found now in spas in many countries of the world. Mud facials are great exfoliators and help to rid the face of blackheads and other blemishes, making them disappear. Mud is also used in body wraps, spa scrubs, and even spa soaks – the spa mud bath. Although it admittedly feels odd the first time around, lay back, relax, and enjoy the sensation. Mud wraps designed to slim and tone the body, hydrate or firm the skin, or relax and soothe the muscles. Some mud wraps are also thought to relieve tired and aching joints, ease inflammation, and help to flush out toxins through sweating them out.
Facial Treatments
Facial treatments are an integral part of the spa experience, and the term includes a variety of different treatments. The typical spa facial generally incorporates exfoliation, cleansing, extraction of impurities, facial massage. Facial treatments can also use masks made of special muds, seaweed or plant extracts, or creams.
Other Treatments
Aside from mud and water treatments, many types of face and body massage are generally offered, using techniques from around the world, such as Shiatsu massage and Thai massage. Traditional Chinese therapies acupressure and acupuncture are also frequently offered. Many European Wellness spas also offer advanced diagnostic tests and have specially trained physicians and nutritionists in-house to advise you on the right course of treatment for you.
You may have also come across some unfamiliar terms and treatments. Use this glossary to help guide you:
• Acupressure
The application of pressure to specific points on the body to control symptoms such as pain or nausea. Similar in concept to acupuncture but without needles.
• Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medical technique of inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes.
• Ayurveda
A system of traditional, natural medicine from India that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda provides an integrated approach to preventing and treating illness through lifestyle interventions and natural therapies.
• Balneology
The study of baths and bathing, especially therapeutic bathing.
The word balneotherapy comes from the Latin “balneum”, or bath. It is the treatment of disease by bathing, often in mineral water or hot springs. Balneotherapy may involve hot or cold water, massage through moving water, relaxation or stimulation.
• Charcot ‘s Bath
A type of underwater massage shower, named after Jean-Martin Charcot, the renowned French neurologist and professor of anatomical pathology.
The therapeutic use of cold to reduce discomfort or pain. The cryotherapy chamber is cooled, typically with liquid nitrogen, to a temperature of −110 °C (−166.0 °F). The patient spends a few minutes in the chamber. During treatment the average skin temperature drops to 12 °C (54 °F), while the coldest skin temperature can be 5 °C (41 °F). The core body temperature remains unchanged during the treatment, however it may drop slightly afterwards. Patients report that the experience is invigorating and improves a variety of conditions such as psychological stress, insomnia, rheumatism, muscle and joint pain, fibromyalgia, itching, and psoriasis.
• Diathermy
A method of physical therapy that involves generating local heat in body tissues by high-frequency electromagnetic currents electric currents, or ultrasonic waves.
• Dousing
Cold water dousing is used to "shock" the body into a kind of fever. The effects of dousing are usually more intense and longer lasting than just a cold shower. It is believed that dousing can be helpful in killing harmful bacteria and leaving the hardier beneficial bacteria in the body.
• Drinking Cure
The consumption of mineral water in prescribed amounts and frequency to treat pain and illness.
• ECG (Electrocardiography)
Electrocardiography records the electrical activity of your heart through electrodes attached to the skin. Impulses are recorded as waves and displayed on a monitor or printed on paper. Used diagnose heart rhythm problems and damage to your heart.
• Echocardiography
An echocardiogram often referred to as a cardiac ECHO or simply an ECHO, is a sonogram (ultrasound) of the heart used to study structure and function.
The use of electrical current (ultra-sound, short wave electricity, or infrared rays) for a variety of therapeutic purposes including pain relief, reduction of swelling, muscle relaxation, speeding up of the healing process, and stimulation of acupuncture points.
• Ergometry
Measurement of the physiological effects of exercise, using equipment such as an exercise bike or running machine.
• Finnish bath
Taking a sauna begins by sitting in the hot room, typically warmed to 170-230 degrees Fahrenheit. Water is thrown on hot stones which sit on top of the kiuas, a special stove used to warm up the sauna. This produces steam, known as löyly, which increases the moisture and heat within the sauna. Occasionally leafy, fragrant boughs of silver birch called vihta) to gently beat oneself. This has a relaxing effect on the muscles. When the heat begins to feel uncomfortable it is customary to jump into a cold pool, or to have a cool shower. The cycle is then repeated as many times as desired.
• Gum Irrigation
The use of a strong stream of water to help wash plaque and bacteria off teeth. This is done by directing the water so that it penetrates below the gum line.
• Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, (formerly called hydropathy) involves the use of water (often mineral water) for pain-relief and treating illness. Hydrotherapy has long been a staple in European spas, and is the generic term for water therapies using jets, underwater massage and mineral baths. These treatments use physical water properties, such as temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes, to stimulate blood circulation and treat the symptoms of certain diseases. The term hydrotherapy is synonymous with the term Water cure.
• Laconium
A dry heat treatment room or sauna heated to around 140 degrees which allows the body heat up slowly and gently.
• Lymph
The fluid found between the cells of the human body. It enters the lymph vessels by filtration through pores in the walls of capillaries. If excessive pressure develops within the lymph vessels, though, some fluid can leak back and contribute to formation of edema (swelling).
• Lymph drainage massage
A type of massage designed to improve the flow and drainage of lymph by stimulating the lymphatic vessels.
• Magnet therapy
Magnet therapy is an alternative medicine practice involving the use of static magnetic fields. It is thought that subjecting certain parts of the body to magnetostatic fields produced by permanent magnets has beneficial health effects.
• Manometry
The measurement of pressure using a device called a manometer. Esophageal manometry is used to measure muscle pressure and movements in the esophagus.
• Moor bath
A type of mud bath. One of the most popular procedures in European Health Spas, for 200 years it has been used to cleanse the body of toxins, relieve pain, in rehabilitation after surgery, to treat gout and in the treatment of skin problems.
• Parafango Battaglia
Parafango is a mixture of paraffin wax and dehydrated mud (in Italian, “fango” means “mud”). During the treatment, the warm Parafango stimulates the lymphatic flow in the body and draws out toxins from around the fat cells, resulting in immediate, noticeable results. • Pneumopuncture The administration of minimal doses (1-5 ml) of natural carbon dioxide into acupuncture points (sometimes this procedure is referred to as gas injections) to ease pain in joints and muscles and relieves tension and muscle spasms. 
• Russian sauna (Banya)
The traditional Russian sauna is often heated to more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Water is splashed on hot rocks on the stove in the traditional wooden sauna, releasing steam. People often massage themselves or others with bunches of dried branches and leaves from white birch, oak or eucalyptus (called veniks) in order to improve blood circulation. After the heat becomes uncomfortable, it is customary to cool off, either outdoors or in a cold bath or shower. The process is repeated as many times as desired.
• Scen Tao
The term originates from the words Scent and Tao (Chinese for way). Invigorating spa aromas and natural Asian ingredients such as ginkgo, ginseng and green tea reduce stress and promote inner peace. Warm stones and Shiatsu massage are used to promote relaxation and feeling of well-being.
• Scottish shower
Some sources suggest the origins of the term "Scottish shower" can be traced back to the notoriously fickle weather of Scotland. A natural Scottish shower is described as a series of short cloudbursts interspersed with warmer weather. A modern Scottish shower is a relaxing treatment, during which users stand in an enclosed shower stall while either a trained therapist or an automated valve system alternates hot and cold water sprays. The user's circulatory system is said to benefit from the cycles of expansion and shrinkage. 
• Spectral Analysis
Spectrum analysis, also known as emission spectrochemical analysis, is the original scientific method of charting and analyzing the chemical properties of matter and gases by looking at the bands in their optical spectrum, and is used in laboratories for medical analysis.
• Tepidarium
The tepidarium was the warm (tepidus) bathroom of the Roman baths heated by an underfloor heating system. An integral component of some European spas, the modern tepidarium is a warm bathing or seating area where guests can relax before, between and after their spa therapies. Maintained at 38 degrees C, the tepidarium is designed to restore the body to its normal temperature of 37 degrees C.
• Thermotherapy
Thermotherapy, also called heat therapy, is the application of heat to the body for pain relief and health. It can take the form of a hot cloth, hot water, ultrasound, heating pad, whirlpool baths, and many others. It can be beneficial to those with arthritis and stiff muscles and injuries to the deep tissue of the skin. 
• Turkish Bath (Hammam)
The bather first relaxes in a room that is heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air allowing the bather to perspire freely. Bathers may then move to an even hotter room before splashing themselves with cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, bathers finally retire to a cooling room for a period of relaxation
• Vacuum Massage
Vacuum massage is a type of therapeutic massage which is used for body sculpting, cellulite reduction and to treat such diseases as colds, bronchitis and pneumonia. The medical effect of this massage is realized by means of a vacuum that causes a rush of blood and lymph to the skin from deep lying tissues. Usually vacuum massage is performed by using a small silicone massager.
• Vasotrain
This vacuum / compression therapy procedure helps maintain optimum blood supply to the lower limbs, which is often restricted in diabetic patients.