Thalassotherapy

Thalassotherapy (from the Greek word thalassa, meaning "sea") is a therapeutic use of the marine environment, its climate, and marine products like algae, seaweed, and alluvial mud for the purpose of promoting health, wellness, and beauty. The properties of seawater are believed to have beneficial effects upon the pores of the skin.

History

The concept of thalassotherapy was first expounded by the French doctor Jean de la Bonnardière in 1865. The practice has been popular in the Mediterranean region for centuries, and has more recently been adopted by spas in the United States and elsewhere.

Treatment

Thalassotherapy treatments can include inhalation of sea air and mist, application of marine mud or algae paste, hot seawater baths, and the use of seawater and marine products in cosmetics. Treatments are applied in various forms, such as showers of warmed seawater, application of marine mud or algae paste, immersion in heated seawater, and the inhalation of sea fog. Spas often use seawater and the marine, algae, mud, and sand in various therapies to revitalize, maintain, and restore health.

Benefits

The reported benefits of thalassotherapy include improved cardiovascular function, improved skin hydration, detoxification, and relief of skin conditions such as psoriasis. It is also believed to help in the treatment of post-traumatic disorders, circulatory problems, post-cancer, and post-surgical conditions.

See also

• Hydrotherapy
• Balneotherapy
• Spa
• Seaweed

External links

• Thalassotherapy at Thalasso-Therapy.com

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Thalassotherapy

• File:Dead Sea mud man by David Shankbone.jpg