Thalassotherapy

Thalassotherapy is a form of water therapy that focuses on the sea, seaside climates, and products from the sea, such as sea mud and seaweed. Although the name was coined in the 1800s, the practice of soaking in seawater or visiting the seashore for health purposes began in ancient times and was practiced by many cultures. Thalassotherapy comes in several forms, the most common of which is soaking or bathing in seawater. There are few studies that prove the effectiveness of thalassotherapy, but it is believed that any benefits it provides come from the absorption of the many minerals contained in seawater and things associated with it.

Background

Hydrotherapy, or soaking, bathing, or otherwise applying water to the body in search of healing, has existed for many centuries and in many cultures. The Greek physician Hippocrates, who lived in the fifth century BCE, endorsed soaking in spring water. The Romans were well-known for their public baths, some of which drew water from springs rich in minerals. Ancient Egyptians bathed in waters to which they added minerals and natural scents, as did Indian royals. Other cultures, such as the Japanese, sought out hot springs, and the Scandinavians popularized the practice of taking a hot sauna and then a cold sea dip.

These cultures engaged in these practices for their therapeutic benefits. In 1829, Austrian physician Vincent Priessnitz formalized a system of water therapy and coined the name hydrotherapy for it. The therapy grew in popularity and spread around the world. These therapies involved various ways of applying water to a patient, including bathing, soaking, showering, hosing them down, wrapping them in wet bandages, and other methods.

In 1865, French physician Jacques de la Bonnardière added a new form of hydrotherapy that used seawater. He called it thalassotherapy, after the Greek words for sea and therapy. His initial efforts were offered in the Brittany area of France, where he introduced the idea of soaking or bathing in heated seawater for therapeutic purposes. The concept became popular, and many spas and resorts began offering various treatments that involved the use of seawater or products from the sea.

Overview

Thalassotherapy is particularly popular in Europe, where many people have relatively easy access to ocean waters. It is similar to balneotherapy, which relies on the water from mineral-rich springs, but thalassotherapy uses seawater exclusively. The purported benefits of this therapy come from the wealth of minerals present in ocean water. Sodium is the most abundant mineral, but most seawater is also rich in magnesium, chloride, potassium, iodine, and calcium, all of which are known to have at least some beneficial properties for the human body.

There are various forms of thalassotherapy. These include bathing, showering, inhalation therapy, and aquatic exercise in seawater. Skin treatments using sea products such as mud, salt, and seaweed are also a form of thalassotherapy. This can include wraps where a person is coated with mud or seaweed, then covered with a hot blanket, as well as mud masks, sea salt scrubs, lotions, and other topical applications of sea products to the skin. In some cases, thalassotherapy can involve relocating to a coastal environment where a person can breathe sea air. Some practitioners of thalassotherapy also include the consumption of sea-based supplements such as kelp, spirulina, and other seaweeds.

The limited studies that have been done on thalassotherapy suggest that it aids in healing because the minerals, especially sodium and chloride, enter the body through the skin. This affects the skin cells and possibly other cells by altering their internal pressure, which is thought to improve cellular health. In addition to being absorbed through the skin, small amounts of these minerals are present in the moist air surrounding these bodies of water. These can be absorbed through breathing and may also have therapeutic properties. The air near bodies of water also tends to be less polluted than water in cities and contains fewer allergens than air in either cities or other natural areas. Researchers suggest that breathing this cleaner air may also help alleviate certain respiratory conditions. In addition, moving in water—especially salinized water—is easier than moving on land or other types of water. This can ease stress on the body, leading to improvements in some conditions involving bones and joints.

Back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, and some stroke-related impairments are a few of the conditions that thalassotherapy is believed to help. This information was based on studies conducted on various individuals over time spans ranging from two weeks to a year. However, the studies that resulted in these findings were limited, and many were more than a decade old as of the early 2020s.

Medical professionals say there are some risks associated with the therapy, though these are limited when the therapy is performed in a legitimate spa. One main risk would be the possibility of drowning. This can happen in open water, a pool, or a specialized tub. Experts say thalassotherapy should always be done under supervision, especially in heated water that could negatively affect blood pressure and cause fainting or excessive fatigue. Those undergoing therapy outdoors should also be mindful of sun exposure to reduce the risk of sunburn or skin cancer. Some sea-based supplements can also cause issues since supplements are not generally tested for safety or effectiveness before sale. Most experts recommend consulting a physician and undergoing thalassotherapy only after all health conditions are considered.

Bibliography

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