Heated spa experiences for cosy therapeutic treatments

Boosting your sense of wellbeing, getting those products working even harder, and giving you an overall sense of restoration. Here are a few favourites to look out for on your next spa break.

Heated poultices

Heated poultices are amongst the many tools that therapists can use in touch therapies to enhance the experience. Usually a cotton sheet containing a blend of herbs and spices, it's then steam heated and applied to the body as part of a massage, releasing essential oils, relaxing muscles and stimulating blood flow. For example, at Lough Erne Resort their signature therapies incorporate a Thai herbal poultice, recognising the heated medicinal muscle treatment that dates back to the 14th-century (Ayutthaya) as an integral part of Thai medicine, encouraging the reawakening of the body.

Hot stone massages

Hot stone massages are a real favourite amongst spa goers who like a more intense massage. It is exactly what it sounds like - a regular massage, but instead of just using their hands, therapists warm volcanic basalt stones in a special bath of warm water, before placing them on the body and using them to enhance the massage strokes across the body. The heat also warms the oils used in the treatment and together it helps to relax the muscles and give a deeper massage.

Lava shell massage

Lava shell massages use polished Tiger Clam shells. They are similar to hot stones but contain a heated ‘tea bag’ filled with algae and black lava, rather than being heated from the outside, so they have a more consistent heat throughout the treatment and you don’t need to keep exchanging them for new ones to maintain the temperature. You can get a light massage or a deep tissue massage from them, while the shape of the shells mimics the contours of the hands and knuckles so when they are used in massage they are very effective for breaking down lactic acid which is caused by stress and is commonly referred to as knots. The heat also helps to penetrate the muscles more effectively than regular massage, while the algae and black lava aid detox.

Heated treatment beds

Not a treatment in itself, but a gorgeous addition to a treatment is when spas have heated treatment beds. This is the kind of thing that can turn a manicure into a blissful soporific therapy. St. Pancras London does this beautifully, while Cloud Twelve Spa takes things up a notch with their quartz spa treatment bed. These contain Dolomite quartz crystals, which warm and mould around you and your body, so you drift into a deep state of relaxation while you enjoy your spa treatment and the healing crystal energy.

Hot mitt body exfoliation

Hot mitts are often used as part of a face or body treatment to remove a product before adding another one. It might be used in a salt scrub so you don't have to get off the treatment bed to shower. It's a very soothing, relaxing way to enhance a treatment. For example, in the Pure Salt Grain Massage at Manor House Hotel - Alsager, a warm mitt is used to remove the scrub at the end, leaving skin silky smooth.

Thermal suites

Of course, the ultimate in heat-based spa experiences is the classic thermal suite, ranging from hydrotherapy pools to dedicated sauna treatments like those at the unique Banya No.1 - Hoxton. An opportunity to journey through different temperatures is a wonderful way to support the immune system, breathe deep, detox, and warm the skin and muscles in preparation for touch therapies like massages and facials.