Spa Glossary | T

Thai Massage
A massage technique that uses a combination of gentle rocking and stretching motions along with acupressure techniques. This massage is applied without oils, through the clothing.

Thalassotherapy
Coming from the Greek word for sea, thalassotherapy is a generic term for a variety of spa treatments that use sea water and/or seaweed. These therapies include:

fresh sea water baths that provide underwater massage using water jets in the tub
sea water massages delivered with a manual hose
body wrap treatments using seaweed paste
Thalassotherapy Massage
A massage technique that uses seaweed oil.

Thermal Body Wrap (Herbal)
A body wrap treatment in which hot, wet linen soaked in herbs and water is applied to the client's body. The client is then covered with a blanket or a plastic sheet to ensure the heat of the linen does not dissipate. A cool compress is applied to the client's forehead.

Thermal Body Wrap (Tonalastil)
A body wrap treatment using oils rather than herbs, but otherwise very similar to the herbal thermal body wrap. This spa treatment helps to eliminate toxins and excess fluids, and tones and firms the client's skin.

Thermotherapy
A generic term describing various spa treatments that use heat for therapeutic purposes.

Traeger Massage
A massage technique developed by Dr. Milton Traeger. This massage is unique in that it doesn't use force, pressure or oils. Instead, the therapist uses gentle, rhythmic shaking massage of the body to release tension from joints.