The paper assessed 13 pieces of research focused on hot and cold bathing / Nejron Photo/shutterstock
Spa and wellness businesses have a long history of using hydrotherapy to deliver curative benefits to customers and there are more than 34,000 thermal/mineral spring establishments worldwide, according to the Global Wellness Economy Monitor. Now a research review has shown why being immersed in water has so many unexpected health benefits.
The paper, by South Korean academics, assessed 13 pieces of research, and findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health last year.
Called The thermal effects of water immersion on health outcomes: an integrative review, the paper explored the health effects of immersion hydrotherapy in the studies. Nine studies used warm water, one used both warm and cold water and the other three used cold water. Immersion is just one form of hydrotherapy which uses water for pain relief and treatment of existing conditions.
Findings of the study The study found that warm water immersion can improve cardiovascular function, suggesting it has clinical significance as an alternative to exercise, and more importantly, as a preventative health treatment. It’s also been shown to increase blood flow to major organs, including the brain, heart and lungs; to help with improved short-term brain function; and to improve tissue oxygenation and strengthen muscles.
Meanwhile, it revealed that cold water immersion can provide an anaesthetic effect, and reduce stress and force placed on the body to help the ability to exercise. In addition, it can support musculoskeletal function in healthy people or act as a rehabilitation treatment for patients with existing pain-related diseases.
European Parliament The global pandemic has kickstarted a renewed interest in health, leading the spa industry to anticipate a surge in demand for treatments like hydrotherapy which also help with prevention.
Interestingly, the European Parliament is also in the process of assessing a tourism and transport initiative, which includes a sub-section highlighting the need to support European resorts in attracting spa and wellness tourists. The initiative calls on the European Commission to fund more science-based research to enable the sector to develop medical tourism business with the aim of reducing healthcare costs through preventative measures, such as hydrotherapy and balneotherapy.
This reinforces a view held widely in the industry – that treatments such as hydrotherapy have the potential to improve health globally and should be taken seriously as preventative health modalities.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 3
Editor's letter: The fight ahead
There’s a huge job of work to do to build our reputation and win support in the corridors of power, says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Patrick Huey
The vice-president of spa and retail at Montage talks about his new role as ISPA chair, Black Lives Matter and how his spas are fighting back against COVID-19
Spa people: Rianna Riego
Wellness consultant Rianna Riego speaks out about racial discrimination in the global spa industry
Spa people: Anna Teal
The CEO of Aromatherapy Associates outlines the online innovations it's using to connect with customers in exciting new ways
Spa programmes: On the menu
How are spas changing their treatments and services now they’re staring to reopen again?
Interview: Lee Woon Hoe
Banyan Tree’s executive director of wellbeing tells Spa Business magazine why now is the right time for the group to launch its new wellness concept
Ask an expert: Spa design 2030
Spa Business magazine asks leading designers and architects to give their predictions about pandemic-proof spa models
Promotion: Trendsetting
Design specialists, The Wellness, worked with in-house engineers for Jumeirah to create a state-of-the-art gym for Talise Fitness at the Jumeirah Al Naseem in Dubai
Research: Manner of speaking
ISPA’s latest study reveals consumer attitudes in the aftermath of COVID-19. Josh Corman picks out the key details
Research: New perspectives
Two surveys in the UK highlight both spa operator and spa-goer insights as facilities across the country begin to welcome guests back
Promotion: The power of touchless
Spa and wellness innovator, Sammy Gharieni, reveals how his on-trend products are perfect for delivering high-value touchless treatments
Country focus: Best of British
We take a look at the standout concepts offered in the world-class spas that have opened in the UK over the last three years
Promotion: Sustain and regenerate
Sustainable skincare brand, Comfort Zone, has radically reinvented its entire Sacred Nature line, driven by the ambition to create some of the world’s first carbon-negative products
Interview: Emma Darby
Despite closing during in lockdown, some Resense spas still hit revenue targets. Its COO tells Spa Business magazine how
Promotion: Redefining the snowroom
Italian snowroom expert, TechnoAlpin, has collaborated with groundbreaking architectural practice, Snøhetta, to create a snowroom like no other
Medi-wellness: On good termes
Italy’s Long Life clinic, which offers anti-ageing science alongside water cures, is gaining greater attention post-lockdown. Sophie Benge pays a visit
Supplier showcase: Premium Fitness
Dormy House has partnered with Matrix Fitness to create two fully-connected fitness suites to take its offering to a new and more sophisticated level @DormyHouse @MatrixFitnessUK
Promotion: Sothys
Sothys’ beauty treatment designer, Séverine Monjanel, and training director, Isabelle Villey, talk to Spa Business about the company’s new authentic ancestral Indonesian treatment
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
The paper assessed 13 pieces of research focused on hot and cold bathing / Nejron Photo/shutterstock
Spa and wellness businesses have a long history of using hydrotherapy to deliver curative benefits to customers and there are more than 34,000 thermal/mineral spring establishments worldwide, according to the Global Wellness Economy Monitor. Now a research review has shown why being immersed in water has so many unexpected health benefits.
The paper, by South Korean academics, assessed 13 pieces of research, and findings were published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health last year.
Called The thermal effects of water immersion on health outcomes: an integrative review, the paper explored the health effects of immersion hydrotherapy in the studies. Nine studies used warm water, one used both warm and cold water and the other three used cold water. Immersion is just one form of hydrotherapy which uses water for pain relief and treatment of existing conditions.
Findings of the study The study found that warm water immersion can improve cardiovascular function, suggesting it has clinical significance as an alternative to exercise, and more importantly, as a preventative health treatment. It’s also been shown to increase blood flow to major organs, including the brain, heart and lungs; to help with improved short-term brain function; and to improve tissue oxygenation and strengthen muscles.
Meanwhile, it revealed that cold water immersion can provide an anaesthetic effect, and reduce stress and force placed on the body to help the ability to exercise. In addition, it can support musculoskeletal function in healthy people or act as a rehabilitation treatment for patients with existing pain-related diseases.
European Parliament The global pandemic has kickstarted a renewed interest in health, leading the spa industry to anticipate a surge in demand for treatments like hydrotherapy which also help with prevention.
Interestingly, the European Parliament is also in the process of assessing a tourism and transport initiative, which includes a sub-section highlighting the need to support European resorts in attracting spa and wellness tourists. The initiative calls on the European Commission to fund more science-based research to enable the sector to develop medical tourism business with the aim of reducing healthcare costs through preventative measures, such as hydrotherapy and balneotherapy.
This reinforces a view held widely in the industry – that treatments such as hydrotherapy have the potential to improve health globally and should be taken seriously as preventative health modalities.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 3
Editor's letter: The fight ahead
There’s a huge job of work to do to build our reputation and win support in the corridors of power, says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Patrick Huey
The vice-president of spa and retail at Montage talks about his new role as ISPA chair, Black Lives Matter and how his spas are fighting back against COVID-19
Spa people: Rianna Riego
Wellness consultant Rianna Riego speaks out about racial discrimination in the global spa industry
Spa people: Anna Teal
The CEO of Aromatherapy Associates outlines the online innovations it's using to connect with customers in exciting new ways
Spa programmes: On the menu
How are spas changing their treatments and services now they’re staring to reopen again?
Interview: Lee Woon Hoe
Banyan Tree’s executive director of wellbeing tells Spa Business magazine why now is the right time for the group to launch its new wellness concept
Ask an expert: Spa design 2030
Spa Business magazine asks leading designers and architects to give their predictions about pandemic-proof spa models
Promotion: Trendsetting
Design specialists, The Wellness, worked with in-house engineers for Jumeirah to create a state-of-the-art gym for Talise Fitness at the Jumeirah Al Naseem in Dubai
Research: Manner of speaking
ISPA’s latest study reveals consumer attitudes in the aftermath of COVID-19. Josh Corman picks out the key details
Research: New perspectives
Two surveys in the UK highlight both spa operator and spa-goer insights as facilities across the country begin to welcome guests back
Promotion: The power of touchless
Spa and wellness innovator, Sammy Gharieni, reveals how his on-trend products are perfect for delivering high-value touchless treatments
Country focus: Best of British
We take a look at the standout concepts offered in the world-class spas that have opened in the UK over the last three years
Promotion: Sustain and regenerate
Sustainable skincare brand, Comfort Zone, has radically reinvented its entire Sacred Nature line, driven by the ambition to create some of the world’s first carbon-negative products
Interview: Emma Darby
Despite closing during in lockdown, some Resense spas still hit revenue targets. Its COO tells Spa Business magazine how
Promotion: Redefining the snowroom
Italian snowroom expert, TechnoAlpin, has collaborated with groundbreaking architectural practice, Snøhetta, to create a snowroom like no other
Medi-wellness: On good termes
Italy’s Long Life clinic, which offers anti-ageing science alongside water cures, is gaining greater attention post-lockdown. Sophie Benge pays a visit
Supplier showcase: Premium Fitness
Dormy House has partnered with Matrix Fitness to create two fully-connected fitness suites to take its offering to a new and more sophisticated level @DormyHouse @MatrixFitnessUK
Promotion: Sothys
Sothys’ beauty treatment designer, Séverine Monjanel, and training director, Isabelle Villey, talk to Spa Business about the company’s new authentic ancestral Indonesian treatment
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and
launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a
1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of
total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth
in 2025 across categories when compared with 2024, according to the latest Wellness Real
Estate Report by RLA Global, produced in partnership with P and L benchmarking firm HotStats.
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional
dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social
connection.
Aditya Saluja, an industry leader in luxury wellness hospitality, has been
appointed as
commercial director of spa and wellness for the spa management division of
Minor Hotels,
MSpa International.
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy,
will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and
consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
