For many years, sports doctors have recommended alternating hot and cold water treatments to heal athletic injuries. Knee and shoulder injuries are often treated with sessions of applied ice pack followed by soaks in a hot tub. Hydrotherapy sessions have long been used to treat arthritis, skin ailments, injuries, and circulatory problems in people as well as their pets. Recommended for surgical recovery, hydrotherapy has been found to restore health, improve health and enhance various bodily functions. It's not surprising because alternating cold and warm sessions increases white blood cell activity, improving circulation and reducing inflammation.
Water Circuits and Spas
In recent years, spas worldwide have been incorporating water circuit therapies for their guests to utilize before or after other therapies. Various water circuit options are available. Specialty showers have a variety of features including blasts of icy glacial water; gentle, balmy rain forest sprays; and aromatherapy-scented showers enclosed in crystal caves. Located near conventional hot tubs and saunas, the showers are used before and after hot tub sessions.
Water circuits, which are frequently billed as pre-treatments or post-treatments, are typically complimentary when other spa services are scheduled. Because they’re such a popular spa attraction, spas compete with one another to offer the most stunning water circuit facilities. Some of the top water circuit therapies can be found at the following spas.
CastaDiva Resort & Spa, Lake Como, Italy
Dating back to the 18th century, this magnificent hotel was once a favorite destination for aristocrats and celebrity performers. The spa’s waiting room has a steamboat-inspired theme. A glass floor offers guests a glimpse of a 19th century dock. The spa’s water circuit includes a relaxing spiral Turkish hammam, an underground salt cave lit with glowing candles, a Finnish sauna, a Mediterranean sauna, a Kneipp foot bath, a cold plunge pool, drench showers, an ice fountain, and a heated indoor pool.
Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
Spas are one of the most popular Las Vegas features, and the spa at Caesar’s Palace rates among the best when it comes to luxury. Taking a break from the bright lights and relaxing in the spa makes a trip to Las Vegas a true vacation. Recognized as having one of the most amazing water circuits in the United States, Qua Baths & Spa was one of the first American spas to showcase an oversize water circuit. Surrounded around Roman baths, the spa features a central Tepidarium with tepid water, a Caldarium with hot water and a chilled Frigidarium. A vast steam room completes the circuit, and a glass-tiled Arctic Ice Room with heated benches and synthetic snowflakes.
Grand Wailea Resort’s Spa Grande, Maui, Hawaii
Voted as one of the top ten spas in the United States by readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure Magazine, Spa Grande is known for its blend of Eastern and Western healing principles. Considered Hawaii’s top water circuit, Spa Grande’s Terme Hydrotherapy Circuit incorporates the essence of several different cultures. Guests following the circuit can enjoy any one or more of the five traditional Hawaiian seawater soaking baths, the Roman hot tub, or the four Japanese furo baths. A eucalyptus steam redwood sauna provides another option. A Swedish shower with multiple jets provides a cooling hydrotherapy session. Alternately, guests can relax under the cascading waterfall or step into the cold plunge pool. Following the circuit guests can enjoy a gratis mango body polish.
Creating Your Own Water Circuit
Begin the process with a vigorous body brushing to warm up the skin and aid in detoxification. Then move into the thermal spa of your choice. Hot tubs, bathtubs and home Jacuzzis provide the opportunity for a relaxing soak. Adding a detoxifier such as Epsom salts, dead sea salts or two capfuls of Molton Brown’s bracing silverbirch mineral bath soak enhances the hot thermal session. Saunas and steam rooms are another option. Follow your soak with a brisk shower. With soft music playing in the background and a eucalyptus-scented diffuser, one can imagine they’re in Bali.
Source:
Amy Westervelt, Water World, Spa Magazine, Winter, 2011: 34-43.
Elaine Moore - I'm a retired medical technologist and medical writer with more than 30 years experience working in hospital laboratories. Currently, I ...
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