Roman soldiers, Japanese samurai, and Maori warriors all have one thing in common; they discovered they could heal wounds and relieve battle aches and pains in mineral-infused spring water. Far more than just folklore or myth, thermal springs have since been proved to possess special remedial and health-giving properties.

The word spa comes from the Latin “solas per aqua”, meaning “healing through water”, and the little town of Spa in Belgium, regularly patronized by Roman soldiers in the past, is symbolic of the term’s origin.

Although by strict definition, where the term “spa” is used, it is necessary to experience, touch and take the waters in all their form – like drinking, washing, showering, bathing, soaking, floating and flowing – today’s spa menus vary widely.

Attempting to define different levels of spa is akin to opening a rather unspa-like can of worms, but theoretically emporiums offering maintenance treatments covering hair, nails, facial and waxing are filed under Beauty Salons, although many spas offer these as basics. Massage Centres generally stick to body massage and reflexology, requiring no water treatment. Spa include facial, body treatments and other modalities, which may require the use of a shower between or following treatments such as scrubs and wraps. Specialised hydrotherapies like Vichy showers, hydro-baths, flotation capsules, thalassotherapy and infinity baths may also feature.

These days spas do not stop there. They are beginning to answer all our modern-day problems of physical aches, mental pains, emotional and spiritual issues and environmental pollution, as well as good old vanity and the search for eternal youth.

Although different spas answer different needs, from aesthetics to medical treatments to eastern healing traditions, in common is their dedication to fostering healthy living habits. The collective end result is to make you feel better, whether following something as simple as a manicure or a sophisticated balancing and nurturing of the mind, body and spirit.

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A DAY SPA – is a spa in your local area based in a freestanding venue, office block, residential block, shopping centre or department store. The range of treatments varies from relaxation to non-invasive beauty related treatments, with a strong beauty, hair and nail focus within a spa ambience. While water treatments may be available, the extent of the facilities may be limited.

A HOTEL SPA – is a spa located in a hotel, often in an urban setting, offering spa experiences for hotel guests and outside customers. In addition to offering a variety of spa treatments with exceptional products and services, they often include the use of the hotel’s facilities, like a gym or health club, and many now have their own wet areas for guest to use as part of their spa experience.

A RESORT SPA – is a located in a resort setting with accommodation as part of the service and an emphasis on pampering and revitalization. Along with a wider variety of spa treatments and packages, spa cuisine, holistic exercises like yoga and Pilates and increasingly specialized health programs are on the menu.

A DESTINATION SPA – is a spa located in a remote and beautiful setting offering lifestyle programmes alongside spa treatments and services, balance, A minimum time frame is recommended in order to adopt some life style changes. Many offer all-inclusive programmes with personal consultations, integrating fitness, spa and spa cuisine, emotional healing, beauty and detoxification.

A MEDICAL SPA/MEDI-SPA – is a facility with a focus on wellness and preventive healthcare or invasive cosmetic procedures supervised by medical professionals. Services may include a combination of traditional and complementary therapies with more high tech, result-orientated treatments and are provided in a clinical/spa ambience.

In Asia the reference to a sauna is often associated with establishments that open late at night, possibly offering non-orthodox services, and are therefore not considered spas.

This article is published with permission from AsiaSpa MEN. For more information, please visit www.asiaspa.com