What are the Benefits of Thalassotherapy?

Thalassotherapy is a type of aqua therapy. It is an unconventional therapy that uses the sea’s calming characteristics. The noun “Thalassa” is derived from the Greek word for “ocean.” Thalassotherapy goes back to the nineteenth century; however, humans have been bathing in the water for its health advantages for much longer.

Thalassotherapy has proven to be one of the therapies available in coastal spas and health centers. The therapy takes several forms and may include a mixture of bathing, exercise, and the use of marine goods such as sea mud.

There hasn’t been much study on the advantages of thalassotherapy, although a few studies suggest it may assist with specific ailments, including fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal disorders. 

This essay will talk about thalassotherapy, its advantages, and how it works. 

What is Thalassotherapy?

Thalassotherapy is the use of saltwater for medicinal purposes. It is a popular complementary therapy in Europe, notably in France and Germany. Some medical schools in Europe offer thalassotherapy as part of their routine.

Note: Thalassotherapy is not a replacement for medical care.

Thalassotherapy can use a variety of techniques:

• Bathing in the sea
• Swimming in the sea 
• Applying seaweed, mud, sand, or other marine materials to your body
• Spending some time at the beach
• Consuming pills containing sea-derived ingredients

Thalassotherapy is comparable to balneotherapy, which includes bathing in spring water. The distinction is that thalassotherapy is solely based on the use of salt water.

There has been little investigation into the efficacy of thalassotherapy. Nevertheless, advocates say that it is helpful due to seawater chemicals. Seawater contains a variety of minerals, including:

Magnesium

Potassium

Lodine

Sodium

Calcium

Chloride

 

What are Thalassotherapy Health Benefits? 

Despite the little study, a few studies show that thalassotherapy may come with some health advantages. Here are some of those benefits below. 

 

Stroke

A 2020 research evaluated the impact of aqua therapy in a saltwater pool on 62 people who experienced strokes. Exercising in water is part of aquatic therapy. The trial comprised 5 sessions (45 minutes for each session) each week for two weeks.

According to the study’s findings, combining water treatment with thalassotherapy in a Mediterranean environment may improve:

• Pain
• Balance
• Mobility
• Some features of a person’s life quality

 

Fibromyalgia

An earlier study from 2005 examined 58 patients with fibromyalgia. First, they went over the impact of thalassotherapy, activities, and patient education. The training lasted two and a half weeks. The authors then examined the subjects at three, six, and twelve months.

The results revealed that the program provided transitory advantages for 3–6 months; however, they did not endure. Pain relief was one of the benefits. The other ones were:

• Tiredness
• Overall health
• Physical performance

 

Mental health

The 2005 study also looked at how the mixture treatment regimen affected the participants’ mental health. It seemed to provide mental health benefits. However, they were shorter-lived and less evident than the physical health benefits.

 

Skin conditions

Climatotherapy is the practice of partially or entirely relocating to a particular environment in order to enhance health or treat an ailment. It is also a feature of thalassotherapy whenever a person relocates to the shore.

Research published in 2013 examined the impact of Dead Sea climatotherapy on psoriasis, including 119 persons with the disease who filled out quality-of-life questionnaires at multiple points throughout the trial.

According to the findings, staying near the Dead Sea improves the quality of life in those with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

 

Musculoskeletal conditions

A 2011 study looked at the impacts of a therapy program for people with musculoskeletal disorders that included sun exposure, swimming in the Dead Sea, and having baths in mineral spring water.

Conditions such as lower back discomfort, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia were among the 60 individuals’ conditions. According to data analysis, the program improved vitamin D levels, connected to minor discomfort and intensity of the illnesses.

However, this might be due to excessive sun exposure. More study on the effects of sea bathing is needed to understand whether thalassotherapy can assist these illnesses.

 

How does Thalassotherapy Work?

In a review published in 2019, thalassotherapy has several benefits for health.

When you expose your skin to saltwater, elements like sodium and chloride can get into your body. It can then impact skin cells by changing the pressure inside them, which may prevent cell death.

It is needless to say that the air near the sea areas is much cleaner than city air and contains fewer allergens. This might imply that patients suffering from asthma or hay fever would be able to breathe easier near the sea.

According to the research, you can find beneficial properties like a plant and animal compounds in the sea have. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are of those useful properties found in salmon oil and cod liver oil.

Other health-promoting activities, including exercise and relaxation time, are included in specific thalassotherapy regimens. This may help to clarify why it is so popular as an alternative remedy.

Proponents of thalassotherapy argue that exposure to sea air is helpful. This is because it includes tiny drops of seawater that individuals breathe in. This might imply that they consume trace amounts of minerals in this manner, but no study has been performed to determine whether this is accurate or whether it has any effect on health.

 

Examples of Thalassotherapy Treatments

Treatments for thalassotherapy in spas and wellness centers differ. The following treatments may be used:

 

Bathing

Taking baths in seawater is an essential part of thalassotherapy. Some other therapies also include having baths in seaweed or sea mud water.

 

Showering

Showering with saltwater or freshwater containing sea minerals is also permitted in thalassotherapy centers. In addition, to relieve muscle tension, therapists may utilize hydromassage with high-pressure water jets.

 

Skin treatments

In thalassotherapy treatments, some centers may employ a variety of marine ingredients. For example, in a thalasso wrap, the client has applied seaweed or marine mud before being shrouded in a heated blanket. Someone then washes away the combination. Therapists may also use sea salt washes, mud masks, and other treatments.

 

Exercise

Swimming is a common form of exercise in many thalassotherapy sessions. Water aerobics and other aquatic workouts may also be included.

 

Inhalation

People may inhale the sea air at thalassotherapy spas, or residents may inhale steam from seawater. Some consider seaweed supplements to be a form of thalassotherapy. Among the many supplements available are kelp, chlorella, and spirulina.

 

What are the Risks of Thalassotherapy?

Thalassotherapy treatments are generally considered safe if they are performed at reputable spas. The therapists must be trained in recognizing therapies that are safe for their patients. However, you can find some hazards associated.

An example is taking baths in places like the open sea or in saltwater pools. Bathing in these places can put you in danger of being trapped in severe tides or even drowning. To ensure their safety, swimmers must find areas where lifeguards are present and swim.

Bathing in hot saltwater might have additional effects on the body. A long, hot bath may lower the blood pressure or result in fainting or fatigue. When people don’t use sunscreen, they can also get sunburned by spending a lot of time in the sun.

Supplements obtained from the sea may potentially pose certain dangers. Therefore, the FDA does not examine these items for safety before they are placed on the market.

It is recommended to visit and talk to a doctor before taking a supplement or doing alternative therapy because natural remedies are not always the safest way to go. A doctor will be able to inform you if thalassotherapy is right for you.

 

Aquatic Therapy near me in Las Vegas 

Aquatic Therapy in Las Vegas is available via Health & Care Professional Network. We have been supplying the people of Las Vegas with in-home care services for over 15 years. For further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at (702) 871-9917. You may learn more about different Home Health services.

 

Summary

Thalassotherapy is the therapeutic use of saltwater and oceanic compounds. Some claim its advantages originate from the sea’s high mineral content. These contents include salt, chloride, and iodine. People may absorb these compounds via their skin. However, it is important to say that research on whether this helps with health concerns is limited.

In thalassotherapy, the patient may bathe, swim, experience hydromassage, or exercise in water. Aside from the benefits of spending time near the sea, where the air is usually cleaner than in cities, some people may benefit from spending time by the beach.

Before attempting thalassotherapy or consuming marine-derived supplements, people should consult with a doctor.

 

FAQs

What is Thalassotherapy good for?

It is to get the benefits of seawater and all the elements of that environment.

Are the benefits of Thalassotherapy proven?

There hasn’t been so much research but some studies prove a few benefits.

What are the health benefits of Thalassotherapy?

There are various health benefits for different parts of the body; see the article.

Are there risks with Thalassotherapy?

There might be if you don’t follow safety rules; see the article.