Spa Glossary | S

Salt Glow Skin Treatment
A skin treatment used to clean pores, remove dead skin cells, and improve circulation, it begins with a brisk rub with a mixture of coarse salt, essential oils, and water. The rub is followed by a gentle shower and body moisturizer that leaves the skin soft and glowing.

Scotch Hose/Swiss Shower
A massage technique that is applied with the client upright. The massage is delivered via high-pressure hoses, with the water switched from hot to cold at regular intervals. The therapist can also use sea water. This treatment helps circulation and relieves pain from arthritis and rheumatism.

Seaweed Body Wrap
A body wrap treatment using sea water and seaweed that has a revitalizing effect. The minerals, vitamins, and proteins of the water and seaweed are absorbed into the client's body.

Shiatsu Massage
A massage technique that employs characteristics of both acupressure and massage. Developed in Japan in the 1940s, Shiatsu uses finger-thumb-palm pressure on the body's energy points to help the flow of energy, like acupressure, but it also manipulates other parts of the body, like a massage.

Siliceous Thermal Body Wrap
A type of bath/body wrap that uses silica or hot sand.

Sitz Bath
A type of bath that uses a tub shaped like a chair. The client sits in the bath, with his or her legs and hips covered in hot water. Cold water is then added, and the feet are soaked in alternating containers of hot and cold water. This treatment is believed to stimulate the immune system.

Skin Glow Rub
This skin treatment begins with time in the sauna to soften the client's skin. The therapist then rubs a mixture of mineral water and salt into the skin, leaving the skin soft and glowing--hence the name.

Skin Masque
A skin treatment that uses paste applied to the skin of the face and neck to increase circulation, cleanse and tighten pores, and exfoliate. The paste can be specifically tailored to each client's individual needs by manipulating its ingredients.

Slenisium Body Wrap
In this body wrap treatment, oils are applied to the client's skin. The client is then wrapped in cloth to help the oils eliminate toxins and excess fluids from the body.

Spa Cuisine
Normally found at resort/hotel spas and select day spas, spa cuisine consists of meals prepared with fresh, all-natural, low-fat and low-cholesterol foods. It emphasizes the benefits of whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean proteins, fruit, fish, and vegetables, and avoids using foods with added salt or sodium, artificial colours and flavours, and preservatives.

Sports Massage
A deep muscle and tissue massage therapy technique that focuses on muscle groups used in athletic activity, combining Swedish massage techniques with trigger points, compression, and electrical stimulation. Sports massage therapy can be a preventative measure, or it can be used to help treat an existing problem.

Sports/Adventure Spas
A facility that offers spa services like therapeutic baths and body treatments in addition to special sports or outdoor activities that can range from golf to marathon conditioning.

Swedish Massage
A massage technique that is well-known throughout the world. Developed by Henri Peter Long in 1812, Swedish massage uses five specific movements:

long strokes
kneading of individual muscles
percussive
rolling of fingers
vibration
This type of massage also employs oils that are beneficial to the skin. It improves circulation, eases muscle aches and pains, improves flexibility, and provides overall relaxation.