What is Thalassotherapy?
Thalassotherapy stems from the ancient Greek words “Thalassa” for sea and “therapia” for treatment. Using the curative properties of the seawater and coastal air, relaxing and healing thalasso spa therapies return you to health and wellness. Thalasso spa treatments can include seasalt scrubs, underwater massages, soaks in seawater baths, seaweed packs and much more.
Thalassotherapy Origins
People have been aware of the healing powers of the sea for millennia and even ancient populations such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans visited the sea for wellbeing and health. Records from 16th century Europe show that people were being prescribed sea-related treatments. For example, kings like King Henry III of France was told by his doctor to take a series of sea baths to strengthen his health. In 1760, the Englishman Richard Russell wrote the first treatise on the benefits of the sea, "The Use of Seawater in Diseases of the Glands", the first research document to show the effectiveness of marine elements on our health. Historians suggest that the specific term “thalassotherapy” first started to be used slightly later, in Brittany, France, in the nineteenth century.
Benefits of Thalassotherapy
The health-promoting principles of thalasso are simple at heart: since seawater and human plasma are composed of similar elements, when the body is immersed in sea water the pores open up, allowing minerals and trace elements (such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, iodide and sodium) to enter. These are useful for restoring chemical balance to enter the body, as well as producing stimulating effects and increasing resistance to external toxins. The main seaside products used in thalassotherapy include:
- Seawater - used in baths, provides sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium
- Marine mud - used in face and body masks, provides various minerals and vitamins
- Beach sand - natural exfoliator
- Algae - (algotherapy) used in masks for skin nutrition, provides vitamines B and E
- Sea air - high in ions, toxin eliminator, improves respiration
- Marine climatotherapy - aerosol, atmospheric pressure
- Seaweed - protective of viruses and bacteria, good for the joints
- Phytoplankton - energy and CO2 formation, supports the immune system
Thalasso spa treatments using mineral-rich seawater help us to tone muscles, treat cellulite, improve skin conditions and even alleviate the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis and some circulation problems.
Find Your Perfect Thalasso Spa Hotel
If you have clear ideas about where you would like to go on your next holiday, use our search bar, which you find below, to book. Here you have direct access to a wide range of thalassotherapy spa hotels around the world. Simply choose the theme of your trip, your destination and the exact dates when you are available to travel.
What is Thalassotherapy Used to Treat?
SpaDreams offers thalasso programmes with a wide variety of therapeutic treatments to improve both the general health and a number of health conditions, which include:
- Respiratory System: colds, asthma, allergies, bronchitis and chronic sinusitis
- Circulatory System: high blood pressure
- Digestive System: ulecerative colitis
- Nervous System: insomnia and chronic stress
- Articulatory System: bones and join pain, back pain
- Skin: nourishing your skin, psoriasis, eczema, neurodermatitis
- Headache and Migraine
- Diet: Weight loss, detox, burning fat after pregnancy
- Revitalisation: energy renewal, combatting burn-out
When receiving treatment you will be under the supervision of one of our health specialists who will check and personalize your treatment as much as possible. Even so, keep in mind that this therapy is not suitable for pregnant women, those with symptoms of heart failure or fever, epilepsy, phobic states and gastroenteritis.
Thalassotherapy Treatments
Typical Thalasso Spa Treatments
Seawater Pools
Using hot water, the body is immersed in special baths and pools, some of which are sea water, at temperatures of 37-38 degrees, for about 20 minutes. This is suited mainly for post-traumatic and surgical treatments, circulatory problems and the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems.
Sand Therapy
This treatment involves covering the body with hot sand for a period of 15-20 minutes, in order to absorb the mineral and heat benefits of the sand. This is particularly useful for osteoarthritis, rheumatism and physical trauma.
Mineral Mud & Algae
Principally used in the form of masks or compresses, mineral mud and algae helps to improve circulation, fight fat deposits of cellulite and nourish the skin.
Thalassotherapy Destinations
France, Spain and Other Coastal Paradises
Wondering where to find your tranquil seaside haven, where you can relax in the sea and sunshine? Well, nowadays, there are many seaside spas and specialized thalasso centres in some of the most beautiful destinations around the world and here at SpaDreams we have carefully curated a selection of the best thalasso spas.
Many elite athletes have already visited our thalasso spas in Spain, Tunisia and Slovenia, after having suffered an injury or a serious stress situation. If you want to make the most of your holidays in a Mediterranean climate, we recommend the islands of Lanzarote or Crete. In each of them, you will benefit from all the marine properties you have while enjoying the experience of living on a vibrant island, full of colour, flavour and adventure.
As one of the first places to develop therapy with seawater, France offers some of the best thalasso spa options. The coastal region of Brittany, also known as the land of thalassotherapy, is bordered by the waves of the English Channel, the sea of Iroise and the Atlantic. Here you can get away from everything and breathe in the clean air, in a haven of peace, while you enjoy the true essence of the sea thanks to experienced therapists.
If you fancy a change from the usual holiday, why not head north and spend a few days in the Baltic Sea? The unique Baltic seawater and long sandy beaches on the coast of Germany and Estonia make the perfect locations for a thalasso holiday.
Booking Your Thalassotherapy Spa Hotel
Now that you know all the essentials on thalassotherapy, let yourself be inspired by our wide range of offers and discover our best-selling thalasso offers. You will clear your lungs in the fresh sea air and sooth your skin with nourishing seasalt, seaweed and massages, leaving you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and well. To make your stay even more beneficial, our spa hotels offer healthy and nutritious meal plans as well as calorie-reduced and special diet options - so you will be looked after all round!
With SpaDreams, you can experience this luxurious treatment at an affordable price. Book your thalassotherapy escape with SpaDreams today and discover the power of the sea.
- Browse the hotels below
- Fill out the hotel booking form
- Or contact us for more personalised assistance from one of our travel experts.
We look forward to hearing from you!
10 Reasons to Book with SpaDreams
- Great Hotel Selection
- Best Price Guarantee
- 99% Happy Clients
- 40 Years Experience
- Expert Advice
- Personalised Holiday
- Outstanding Quality
- Support from Start to Finish
- Data Protection
- Latest Travel Trends
Our Most Popular Thalassotherapy Hotels
FAQ Thalassotherapy
What are Contraindications of Thalassotherapy?
What is the Duration of a Thalassotherapy Holiday?
What is a Thalasso Balance Diet?
Is it Safe to Try Thalassotherapy During Pregnancy?
Need more travel inspiration? Learn more about our fascinating spa and travel topics below:
Related topics:
- Thalassotherapy in the Mediterranean
- Thermotherapy
- Thermal Springs
- Exotic Holidays
Other guests have also been interested in: