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Well-being from the sea
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| Do you want to pamper yourself naturally, dedicating time to health and beauty? If you want to reward your body with a burst of energy, take advantage of the benefits provided by the sea with thalassotherapy. |
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THALASSOTHERAPY: WHAT IT IS, WHEN IT ORIGINATED |
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Thalassotherapy - from the Greek thalassa, sea, and therapia, cure - is a curative method that avails of the combined effect of a number of marine elements, including salt water, sun, iodine, seaweed and sand.
Practiced since ancient times by Greeks and Romans, masters of natural care for the body, in the eighteenth century thalassotherapy came to be divulged by the English doctor, Richard Russell. He published the first medical work to be dedicated to the subject of using sea water for therapeutic purposes entitled "The use of sea water", and founded the first marine therapy centre in Brighton.
Today spas, resorts and centres specialising in thermal treatments with sea water are to be found in all the biggest seaside resorts both in Italy and around Europe.
A number of treatments are proposed, although there is just one fundamental principle at the basis of thalassotherapy: on contact with sea water, the skin's pores dilate, allowing precious minerals contained in the water to permeate the skin (these include magnesium, fluoride, potassium, iodine), which are slowly released into the blood with beneficial effects for our psycho-physical equilibrium as well as our skin.
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The water, sand and seaweed-based treatments are an excellent remedy for easing tension created by the intense pace of everyday life; these purify skin, tone muscles and provide a burst of energy. Furthermore, they help blood circulation, ease joint pain and provide relief from a number of respiratory problems such as sinusitis.
In specialist centres, the treatment usually gets underway with balneotherapy: a relaxing bath in sea water heated to a temperature of 38°. Wrapped in a cloud of steam, as the marine salt smoothes and purifies skin precious particles of iodine are inhaled, fundamental for correct functioning of the cells.
In many structures, balneotherapy is combined with whirlpools, aqua gym and jets of water at specific temperatures: shock therapy for activating blood circulation and relaxing muscles.
Water-based treatments are also combined with others that feature seaweed and sea mud. These purify, smooth and soften skin, whilst in mask-form they brighten the complexion and eliminate excess sebum from the face. Furthermore, packs based on seaweed, clay and sea water help to combat water retention and treat slight forms of rheumatism.
Another treatment found throughout Italy is sanding: apart from the head, the entire body is covered in very fine sand for about twenty minutes. As the sand manages to release heat without burning, this treatment is used for providing relief from stiff joints.
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