The Spabreaks.com Treatment Guide

Slimming, detoxifying, relaxing, nourishing - body wraps are some of the most intensely therapeutic spa treatments on the market.

Facials are a classic part of a spa experience, and while massages are the most regularly booked spa treatment, a facial can be just as relaxing.

From pre-wedding prep to maintaining a healthy summer glow, spray tans to creams, a good fake tan can work wonders for a feel-good factor.

Manicures can be so much more than just a file and polish, although if you’re short on time, that’s a wonderful pick-me-up too, either at home or at a spa.

Rooted in tradition, a hammam, is a Middle Eastern wellbeing practice that dates back to the Roman and Byzantine eras and is essentially a steam bath experience that can be shared with other people.

Body polishes and body scrubs can be invigorating, excellent skin prep before or after a holiday and can help with detox. As your skin is your largest detox assisting organ in the body, a body scrub can work wonders.

The benefits of massage extend way beyond simply soothing muscles and relieving tension. For an hour or more we are totally switching off. It’s the one time when we truly disconnect from the Internet and the world around us. We focus simply on the here and now.

Mud baths, rhassouls/rasuls and mud treatments come in a number of different guises, and have been cleansing and healing practices for thousands of years. Introduced to different cultures around the world with their own variations, but largely operating on the same theme.

Spas have historically been associated with being places for women, but that is fast fading. Aside from the fact that we can all benefit from the health and wellbeing benefits of a spa, there are also specific spa treatments and experiences that have been tailored to men’s health.

Swedish Massage is particularly popular because it’s versatile and can be adapted to the individual. It’s a term to describe a series of techniques that focus on muscle relaxation but that also have a powerful impact on mental wellbeing as well.

Hot stone massage is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a back or full body massage, but instead of manipulating and kneading the muscles using the therapist's hands alone, it incorporates the use of stones that are heated in a hot water tank before the treatment begins.

A proper thermal suite is a combination of different areas, temperatures and levels of humidity, which are designed to take you on a journey that helps relax and cleanse the body, as well as prepare it for spa treatments.

Head massage is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a massage treatment that focuses on the upper back, shoulders, neck, head and face. Different spas use the foundation of a traditional head massage and create a wide variety of treatments from it, incorporating different oils (or hot oils) and elements to enhance the experience.

Deep tissue massage is a particular favourite amongst gym and sports lovers, helping to ease muscular tension, aiding performance as well as recovery. However, it’s also excellent for helping muscle aches, especially from sitting at a desk for too long or general daily wear and tear.

Saunas are a wellbeing practice that have been used for many years in different cultures around the world. They are typically associated with Finnish and Estonian cultures, but are now fairly commonplace in gyms, spas and leisure facilities.

A pedicure is a treatment for the feet, involving shaping and painting of the nails, tidying of cuticles, and softening of skin. Pedicures can be great ways of helping to care for our feet, as well as adding a little luxury into our day.