Spa Glossary | H

Haysack Body Wrap
A body wrap treatment in which steamed hay is wrapped around the client to detoxify the body.

Hellerwork
A series of spa treatments developed by Joseph Heller. Hellerwork consists of eleven 90-minute sessions of deep body work and movement exercises. The therapist also discusses the client's health with the client at length to make the client more aware of stress in his or her life that may be causing tension. This technique is believed to realign the body and release chronic tension and stress. It is largely a preventative treatment.

Herbal Body Wrap
A body wrap skin treatment used to relax muscles, soothe soreness and soften skin. The client is wrapped in cloths previously soaked in aromatic herbs and hot water. The client may choose to leave his or her arms unwrapped to avoid a claustrophobic feeling. The client is then covered in towels to keep in the heat and a cool compress is applied to the client's forehead. This spa treatment is also believed to eliminate impurities and toxins in the body.

Hot Stone (Lastone) Massage
This massage technique employs hot and cool smooth stones of various sizes. Each stone is placed on a specific area of the body to relieve muscle pain.

Hydration Facial
This facial skin treatment uses a mixture of paraffin and essential oils in a masque to rehydrate the skin.

Hydrotherapy
A generic term for therapeutic spa techniques that use water jets, underwater massage, and mineral baths, like balneotherapy. Hydrotherapy is characterized by the use of the physical properties of water--the temperature and the pressure, for example--in treatment to improve circulation and encourage relaxation.

Hydrotub
A large tub containing high-powered jets and hand-manipulated hoses intended to perform underwater massage.