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 Health
spas are now a worldwide trend. During the mid-1990s Thailand
began opening its own spas, and with its natural attributes
the country has emerged as
one of the finest spa destinations.
A
long heritage of natural health treatments, year-round sunshine,
beautiful scenery, and the natural warmth and hospitality
of the Thai people have allowed the spa culture to
flourish, and when allied to investments in the newest medical,
fitness and therapy technology it is easy to appreciate
why Thailand's spas have generated a new tourism sector.
There
are four categories of spa in Thailand, as defined by the
International Spa Association. Day spas encompass
salons, beauticians, fitness centres and other outlets
offering short-term treatments and therapies, and can be
found throughout Thailand.
Amenity
spas are purpose-built facilities, usually in city-centre
locations and attached to hotels: there are many of
these in Bangkok and other main cities.
Resort spas can be found at most of Thailand's leading
tourist destinations. As yet there is only one destination
spa in the country, namely Chiva-Som International
Health Resort in Hua Hin.
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Long-staying in Thailand means you can pamper yourself with
so many luxury things in life including giving yourself
a new you. The range of beauty treatments available here
is no secret, and international clients target Thailand
every year, knowing that they'll find the treatment they
want at prices which are as friendly as the ambience.
Many of the beauty care institutes in Thailand
have received nternational recognition, and can refresh,
restore and rejuvenate body and soul while soothing away
the ravages of time. They are ready to provide you with
everything froma manicure to a complete makeover, from
reflexology to recontouring. |
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Aromatherapy
and Essential Oils |
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Aromatherapy,
the therapeutic use of aromatic substances,is a
holistic treatment that combines massage with essential
plant oils. In Thailand, there are many plants
that contain the essential oils
in their flowers, leaves, seed or roots,each having
its own healing properties. Specific
essential plant oils are known to have |
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physiological
and psychological effects. They soothe and relax,
stimulate and help dispel depression.
Of all the five senses, smell has the strongest
link with the subconscious and so can help to release
psychological blocks. Additionally, the essential
oils' molecules |
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absorbed through the skin, and then dissolve in the natural
body fats and fluids. This allows them to flow around
the body, to relax or stimulate, detoxify and regenerate.
You
can have a full body aromatherapy session which may
include the face and feet, incorporating pressure
point manipulation. It may last up to two hours. The
ideal time for a treatment is at the end of the
day, so that you can completely
relax afterwards. You can enjoy the benefits
of aromatherapy at any number of resorts and
spas in Thailand. |
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Healthy
lifestyle activities
In
recent years there has been an enormous awakening
of interest in
the ways in which our minds and bodies work in harmony
with the universe, especially
with regards to traditional medicines,herbal
treatments and meditation.Yet
in Thailand this has been central to everyday |
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life
for centuries. A massage to restore the balance of body
and mind, meditation or retreat into a monastery
for inner tranquillity, a herbal sauna to cleanse and
rejuvenate the body, a diet of fresh vegetables,
fruit and herbs for internal cleansing, all these
are central to the Thai way of life.
Before
the arrival of modern medicine, herbalists filled the
role of doctors and pharmacists. Village doctors
were monks, since the Buddhist temples were the centres
of learning not only about religion but about all the
skills needed to survive in rural society.
Thai
traditional medicine holds that the body has four elements:
wind, water, earth and fire, and that ill health
results from an imbalance between them. To remedy
an ailment, the village doctor would make a herbal potion
or pack for the patient to ingest, rub onto the
skin, or add to a steam compress. The blocking of energy
lines was also believed to lead to illness or emotional
conflicts, and a massage or sauna would be prescribed
to unblock the energy paths.
Thailand
may well be a modern country with the latest in western
medical facilities, but these old traditions are
deeply ingrained in the culture and they are used
in conjunction with, rather than instead of, the imported
techniques and technology. A visitor from overseas
therefore sees the very best of both worlds.
There
are so many relaxing and healthy activities visitors can
enjoy in Thailand. Some of them have incorporated
the precious age-old healing arts that have been passed
down from generation to generation, until today. Only
practised by experts, these services help visitors
gain a harmonious lifestyle during their long-stay holidays
in the kingdom.
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