The health benefits of Spa water
One of the oldest elixirs known to man in a long line of the curative arts, is the practice of immersing oneself in warm, mineral rich spa waters. There is a long epicurean tradition that goes back to pre-Greek and Roman times that attests to the calming and revitalizing aspects of these hot springs of delight. It was thought to be one of the mysteries of the Gods that accounted for these seemingly miraculous waters that appeared to derive their heat from hidden chambers underground. Portents and prognostications were often foretold while the waters warmed the wise men of the era. Homer writes that the ancient Greeks bathed in hot springs as early as 500 BC. There are many tales of political intrigue and romantic drama that find their source in inspiration while bathing in the hot springs. The city of Bath in England gets its name from the famous hot springs found there. Historians of the practice note that spa popularity usually coincides with cultures that have leisure time on their hands to pursue the cures for the many woes that plagued them while not at their leisure. The ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Minoan cultures found value in the baths as a form of social cohesion as well as seeking relief from various diseases and afflictions.
There are perhaps more reasons today why people continue this form of therapy following centuries of this exquisite tradition. Modern spa waters act as therapeutic treatments dealing with everything from travel related jet lag to teenage acne and many ailments and afflictions in between. In the past, many things that were not thought treatable by spa water are now treated successfully at spas. Backaches,sports injuries, office politics stress, trying to quit smoking? Bring em all on!
Otherwise known as Hydrotherapy the mineral laden waters often warmed by thermal earth forces that rise from deep within earth’s mantle use the physical properties of pressure, temperature and the chemical properties of the minerals themselves for therapeutic application to much of what troubles the human body. The practice of balneotherapy uses hot springs, both sea water or mineral waters, to revitalize circulation, bolster the immune system, and otherwise invigorate the body constitution.
The modern spa combines some of the lore and legend of ancient traditions and modern mechanical wonders like the swirling waters of mechanically generated Jacuzzis. The main feature though, in the modern as well as the ancient spa, has always centered around the precious heated waters with their amazing abilities to calm and cure many of man’s ailments.