HISTORY OF SPAS

Some believe the word "Spa" originates from a place called Spa in Belgium, famous for its cold springs with natural, healing mineral waters. Another theory is that it's an acronym for a Latin phrase meaning "health through water" or "salus per aquam". We still use the word "spa" around the world today to describe a mineral spring, a luxury resort or hotel, a health spa or a hot tub.

Mineral waters have long been revered for their magical, curative healing powers since primeval times and evidence from archaeological findings around the world exhibit bathing habits dating back to the Bronze Ages around 5000 years ago.

Hippocrates (the Greek physician believed to have been born sometime around 460 BCE) wrote about imbalances of bodily fluids and the benefits of healing waters. He said: "the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day" which is known today as balneotherapy.

The Romans popularised the healing and cleansing properties of spas. Roman soldiers used spas to cleanse and restore themselves, sweat out toxins, have massages with scented oils to heal their tired bodies - particularly soldiers returning home from battle. During the Roman times, spas were places where all social classes could mix together, socialise, be seen and catch up with all of the latest news (a bit like today).

Religious scriptures also have numerous verses describing the healing powers of water for spiritual reasons and to cleanse and purify the body and soul.

One of the most famous and well preserved examples of a Roman Spa in the UK and Europe is Bath Spa, Somerse. The Romans built a religious temple and baths on the site over a period of about 300 years starting from around 43 CE. It was not the Romans who initially discovered the magical healing waters in Bath Spa, however, as evidence shows that humans used the area around the Bath thermal springs as far back as 8,000 BCE where it likely seemed an inexplicable natural wonder with the hot steam rising mysteriously from the swamps.

Recent discoveries show that medicinal herbs and plants such as camomile were used by the Neanderthals as far back as 5000 years ago and in places like China and India, evidence dates back as early as 3,000 - 2,500 BCE showing oils and aromatic extracts being used. Egyptians used oils and herbs such as lavender for their healing properties around 2,000 BCE and much later on, one of the most famous Egyptians, Cleopatra, used expensive treatments and therapies as an elixir to prolong her youth. Cleopatra was said to visit the Dead Sea, renowned for its healing, mineral rich water and mud when the Romans owned the region. 

WHY SPA DAYS ARE SO GOOD FOR YOU

Massage

Scientists have carried out numerous studies on the healing power of massage and discovered that physical touch releases endorphins which may combat stress hormones and achieve a sense of peace, comfort, reassurance and relaxation.

Having a massage using a technique such as lymphatic drainage helps the lymphatic system improve its function of removing toxins and waste from tissues in the body.  Lymphatic drainage massages are also used to help reduce swelling, improve circulation and alleviate illness such as skin disorders, fatigue, stress and other general health conditions that may be caused by a disruption to the normal flow of the lymphatic system.

Some experts argue that massages are so good for your health that we are not getting enough of them and we should aim for a massage once a month, or at least once a quarter!

Massages are not just beneficial for healing the body, they are a popular as a way of improving beauty and achieving a fantastic looking body, especially before a big event. According to Vogue, "Brazilian lymphatic masseuse Flavia Lanini was flown in to prep the Victoria’s Secret Angels before the 2018 show – and they deliver serious results." If these massage techniques are good enough for supermodels, they are good enough for the rest of us!

Hot tubs and plunge pools

Today, many spas are still designed using some of the basic principles as the Romans spas used around 2000 years ago. A mixture of therapy rooms, steam rooms, saunas, thermally heated and frigid plunge pools are used to cleanse and rejuvenate. Modern day hydrotherapy spas take you on a journey of hot steam rooms and saunas to sweat out toxins and help detoxification. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can take a dip in a freezing cold plunge pool which is believed to reduce depression, improve metabolism and alleviate aches and pains.

Of course, we all know how beneficial exercise is so a spa with a gym or pool which allows you to work out or get some laps in is an added bonus! Exercise helps you work on your overall fitness and release some more feel good endorphins in the process.

Solo or group therapy

A spa day is the perfect excuse to get friends together in a relaxed environment to socialise, bond, prepare for a night out and catch up on the latest news. Share the experience by having different therapies with friends, catching up in the hot tub, or sharing a nutritious light lunch can build some fantastic memories.

For a romantic trip away, most spa’s offer couple packages which include a couple massage to help you bond and recharge your batteries in a stress free environment. Or go it alone and have some time to relax, reflect and get away from it - a lot of spas have realised that we all need some quality "me time" and they cater for solo spa breaks.

There are so many fantastic spas to choose from in the UK and the rest of the world, so now you just need to decide which spa experience to choose first!