Acupressure

A massage therapy technique that uses pressure applied to energy points in the body to release tension. This massage manipulates the same points used in acupuncture. Practitioners believe that acupressure massage therapy helps to improve the flow of energy through the body.

Acupressure Facial
A massage focused solely on the facial area that manipulates 50 energy points in the face muscles and skin to relieve stress, and ease and prevent wrinkles.

Algotherapy
A type of thalassotherapy seaweed bath.

Anthotherapy
Therapeutic spa treatments categorized by the use of caves. Anthotherapy spa treatments can take place in hot and moist caves filled with vapors, ranging from 86-107 F (30-42C), or in dry caves heated by a hot spring to temperatures ranging from 122-158 F (50-70 C).

Aromabath
A type of bath using herbs and essential oils to induce relaxation and relieve stress. Similar to a herbal body wrap.

Aromatherapy
The practice of using various essential oils in massage, skin treatments, body wraps, baths, or the air to encourage relaxation and help treat emotional and medical conditions. Each essential oil, all natural, has a specific effect on the client.

Ayurveda Treatment
A type of traditional folk skin treatment from India that teaches that the skin is the mirror to inner health; if the skin appears unhealthy, so is the person, and vice versa. In this technique, herbs and essential oils are used to improve the skin's health and relieve stress and tension. Related to Ayurvedic massage.

Ayurvedic Massage
A general name for six different types of massages based on Ayurveda, a traditional folk medicine from India. These massage therapy techniques include:

Abhyanga: A herbal oil massage individually tailored to the client that penetrates deeply into the skin, relaxing muscles and tension.
Vishesh: A deep muscular massage used to improve the client's circulation.
Pizichili: A herbal oil massage conducted by two therapists at one time. As the therapists each massage the client in unison, warm oil is continuously poured over the client.
Udvartina: A deep massage that uses herbal paste rather than oil, adding an exfoliating element.
Shiro-Ahhyanga-Nasya: A combination massage that mixes a head, neck and shoulder massage with a facial massage. The massage is followed by deep inhalation of aromatic steam.
Pinda Swedna: A massage that serves two purposes--to relax and to deeply cleanse the client's skin. The therapist massages a mixture of rice boiled in milk and herbs into the client's tissues and joints, relaxing and cleansing the client at the same time.