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THALASSOTHERAPY
What is Thalassotherapy?
Thalassotherapy ("sea" in Greek thalassa) is the simultaneous use of marine environment benefits that involves:
· Seawater
· Other sea substances
Thalassotherapy takes place under normal medical supervision with preventive and therapeutic goals.
Thalassotherapy was developed in seaside towns in Brittany, France during the 19th century. Today, thalassotherapy is used as an alternative treatment for medical conditions and has become a popular for relaxation and stress reduction as well as a favorite method of anti-aging healing by maintaining healthy circulation in the body.
Trace elements found in seawater are believed to be absorbed through the skin.
Thalassotherapy comes in a bewildering array of packages:
· Mud baths
· Underwater showers
· Hydro-massage
· Seaweed
· Mud and algae wraps
All of these treatments, along with the inhalation of sea fog, exist to help restore your body to a state of serenity fit for a mermaid.
Thalassotherapy's main objective is to increase blood circulation that is reduced by the depletion of vital minerals caused by stress, poor diet, and pollution.
Since the chemical make-up of seawater is so similar to that of human blood, immersion in water when heated to body temperature results in trace minerals and ions such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium sulfates to be absorbed directly by the skin.
This not only increases blood circulation but has beneficial effects for the body and skin such as:
· Toning
· Moisturizing
· Revitalizing
Thalassotherapy also helps to detoxify and nourish skin, as well as relax the body.
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, was the first to discover the therapeutic virtues of seawater. Prompted by the fact that the contact with the seawater restricted infection risks, his medical genius made him encourage his patients to follow treatments involving the use of seawater even for pain relief.
Thalassotherapy Treatments »
Immersions in thermal sea or spring water with hydromassage and Bath.
Algotherapy with seaweed bath, seaweed mud immersion, seaweed wrap and mud wrap.
Nutrition with inhalation of sea fog and sea salts, sea salts as food supplement and Ionization. Seawater is ionized with negative ions and is inhaled or sprayed.
Thalassotherapy Treatments
Immersions in Thermal Sea or Spring Water
Hydromassage
Applying massage techniques to the human body (thermally, mechanically, or chemically) through the water: underwater massage jets, jet pools, showers, Jacuzzi, underwater manual massage, jet massage in the air, high-pressure water massage benefits:
creates awareness of the body.
reduces anxiety levels.
gives a sense of well-being.
improves the ability to monitor stress signals.
gives a feeling of peace of mind.
helps treat tension related headaches.
helps treat post-operative rehabilitation.
relax muscles.
increase blood circulation.
relieve muscular pain and tension.
Bath
Immersing in seawater or thermal spring water at a 'medical' temperature 34 to 37°C.
potential Benefits:
helps blood circulation.
relieves or cures cramps.
warms the muscles and relieves aches.
Algotherapy
Seaweed bath
Seawater is enriched with crushed seaweed, which infuses the body with oligo-elements.
Seaweed mud immersion
Immersion and immobilization of hands in warm seaweed mud. Offers relief from aching muscles and joints, and increases the suppleness of the skin.
Seaweed wrap
Involves wrapping the body in a combination of seaweed and herb-soaked cloths while resting on top of a thermal blanket.
Mud wrap
Marine mud or algae paste
Nutrition
Sea salts
inhalation of sea fog and sea salts.
food or food supplement.
Ionization
Seawater is ionized with negative ions and is inhaled or sprayed. Used to heal the upper respiratory tract.
Sea Salt Bath
Sea salt bath helps relieve stress, tension and pain
The sea salt bath helps reduce infection risks, and patients who followed treatments involving the use of seawater found that it also promoted pain relief.
It is now known that sea salt bath therapy is an effective treatment that assists in the rejuvenation of the cells and also induces a healthy exchange of minerals and toxins between the blood and the water.
Potential Physiological Benefits Of Sea Salt Bath
Helps detoxify the body and ward off viruses
Stimulates natural circulation for improved health
Helps relieve athlete's foot, corns, and calluses
Relaxes tense, aching muscles and joints
Helps relieve arthritis, rheumatism and fibromyalgia
Helps relieve chronic lower back pain
Potential Skin Benefits of Sea Salt Bath
Draws out impurities in skin
Soothes skin irritations such as psoriasis/eczema
Soothes itching, burning and bites
Smooth and softens skin
Encourages skin to renew itself
Helps scars to heal
Restores moisture balance to the skin
Potential Physical Benefits Of Sea Salt Bath
Relieves tired, aching feet and leg muscles
Eases tension in hands and wrists
Helps relieve sports injuries
Potential Psycho-physical Benefits Of Sea Salt Bath
Provides deep relaxation
Helps relieve stress and tension
Promotes restfulness
Algotherapy - Algae/ Seaweed Therapy
The therapeutic use of seaweed in thalassotherapy.
Algotherapy involves the use of seaweed in facials, body wraps, and baths for detoxification and rejuvenation. It has the ability to concentrate a wide range of minerals and trace elements that are vital for the synthesis of enzymes, vitamins and hormones and the working of human cells
Algotherapy
Algotherapy is the therapeutic use of seaweed in thalassotherapy treatments.
Algae have the exceptional capability of containing the abundance in minerals and trace elements of the sea.
Seaweed has the ability to concentrate a wide range of minerals and trace elements that are vital for the synthesis of enzymes, vitamins and hormones and the working of human cells. Primarily brown seaweeds are used in Algotherapy. After being washed and rinsed they are processed and preserved to retain all their active ingredients.
Algotherapy involves the use of seaweed in facials, body wraps, and baths for detoxification and rejuvenation.
Algae are a rich source of:
Carbohydrates
Protein
Enzymes
Fiber
Algae are also abundant in many vitamins and minerals like:
Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, and B6
Niacin
Iodine
Potassium
Iron
Magnesium
Calcium
Being such a rich source of essential nutrients, these algae are a major source of food, especially in Asian countries like China, Japan and Korea. Today, they are consumed throughout the world for their nutritional value.
Algae are also used in producing nutritional supplements. Seaweeds are an important food supplement for animals and can also be used as fertilizers. Algae also have the potential of producing vegetable oil.
Algae have been a part of traditional medicine in treating a number of ailments since ancient times, especially in Asian countries. Such diseases include:
Cough
Hypertension
Diarrhea
Gout
As they have a high content of iodine, their consumption can lower the risk of goiter. Currently, algae are being studied to find out if they could be used in the treatment of cancer.
Health Benefits of Algae
Algae, the oldest living organism found on earth, is known to bestow enormous health benefits to its users.
Algae are primitive chlorophyllic and eukaryotic organisms, that do not have true stems, roots and leaves. They are primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and marine organisms. Most of them are edible in nature and have been consumed in different forms since ancient times.
Over the years, research has proven many health benefits associated with algae. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement to improve general health and wellness. Some of important health benefits of algae include:
Beta-Carotene: Algae is known to have a high concentration of beta-carotene, which helps fight some specific types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Antioxidant: Full of antioxidants, algae helps restrict the growth of free radicals and toxics. Antioxidants also aid in production of necessary enzymes, needed to keep the body's function smooth.
Better Digestion: As it is organic in nature and full of enzymes, it is easily digestible and light on the stomach. It is known to help in smooth bowel movements, thereby reducing the occurrence of all abdomen muscle associated diseases.
Protein and Complex Sugar: Algae is considered a complete source of protein, as it contains amino acids, minerals and many vitamins, essential for the growth of hair, skin and nails.
Immunity Booster: Algae contains immune boosting and stimulating properties such as amino acids, minerals, proteins and vitamins. These help fight infections, detoxify the immune system and aid in building the body's resistance to infections.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA): There are only two sources of GLA found; mother's milk and spirulina, a blue-green algae. GLA is essential to the development and growth of babies. Deficiency in nutrition reduces GLA in the mother's milk, which results in poor baby health.
Chronic Disease Treatment: Algae is known to treat diabetes, anemia, liver disease, ulcers, allergies, radiation and chemical poisoning. Its concentrated sugar helps to stabilize blood sugar levels in people with high or low blood sugar.
Nutrients: Algae ensures a healthy nutrient level for people who diet, as well as people who detoxify their bodies regularly. The amino acids present in algae are known to influence neurotransmitters in the brain that control appetite.
Alkaline Food: A balanced diet consists of 80% alkaline food and 20% acidic food. An acidic body is vulnerable to diseases. Algae is considered a natural source of alkaline food.
Other Benefits of Algae:
Presence of calcium and magnesium, which are essential for strong bones.
High levels of iron, useful for anemic people and pregnant or lactating women.
It helps to reduce anxiety and treat sleep disorders.
It is popular in weight reduction diets.
Algae contains the nutrient zeaxanthin, which is good for the eyes.
Regular consumption of algae helps to enhance memory and increase concentration and focus.
Consuming algae as a regular health supplement helps improve the overall development and growth of the body, as it contains almost all nutrients, minerals, vitamins, proteins, amino and nucleic acids, chlorophyll, fiber, etc. There are many types of algae available, like spirulina and chlorella. It is mostly available as powders, capsules, tablets, etc.
Seaweed Body Wrap »
An excellent way to relieve daily stress and to help the body feel new and improved.
Seaweed body wrap helps to detoxify the body. Seaweed body wraps contain ingredients essential to good skin care and skin maintenance. The Skin is tightened and fine lines or small wrinkles are diminished after a seaweed body wrap.
Seaweed Body Wrap
An excellent way to relieve daily stress and to help the body feel new and improved.
A seaweed body wrap has many advantages that help the body to feel better and remove toxins.
The first step for a seaweed body wrap is to exfoliate the skin.
Traditionally, sea salt is used for the exfoliation process because it is most natural and does not deposit impurities into the skin cells and pores.
After the skin has been exfoliated a wrap of seaweed clay is then applied to the body.
Hot towels soaked in herbal solutions are wrapped around the body to keep the seaweed clay moist. You can leave the seaweed body wrap on from half an hour to an hour depending on the depth of skin toning, relaxation and sweating you wish to accomplish.
The best way that a seaweed wrap helps to detoxify the body is through the sweating process that helps to eliminate impurities from the body. A refreshing drink of juice and seaweed is often drunk during the wrap process to keep the body hydrated and to encourage further detoxification from the inside out.
After the wrap is complete, the excess seaweed wrap mud is wiped off with warm cleansing cloths to be followed by an invigorating and stimulating shower.
This is then followed with a skin toner and then moisturizers to lock in the smoothness that a seaweed body wrap gives to the skin. More refreshing drinks are encouraged to replenish the body of electrolytes and to help with energy.
Another advantage to a seaweed body wrap is the benefits to the skin.
Seaweed body wraps contain ingredients essential to good skin care and skin maintenance:
Sea salt
Sea weed
Amino acids
Vitamins
Many people feel that their skin has tightened in areas and that fine lines or small wrinkles are diminished from a seaweed body wrap. The heat helps to redistribute fat deposits in the cells, and that is why many people find that the appearance of cellulite is also decreased.
By Ali SEMERCİ