Spa Glossary, P – R
We’re continuing this week with another installment of our Spa Glossary and we’re covering letters P, Q and R. If you have any spa terms you’d like some help defining, please be sure to leave a comment below.
P
Paraffin Treatment: Melted paraffin is applied to the skin to trap heat, absorb toxins, induce relaxation, relieve joint pain and deeply moisturize the skin.
Percussion: A massage term for gentle and rhythmical taps on the body, the purpose of which is to awaken the body and increase its vitality.
Petrissage: Massage term for a kneading of the muscles. When performed correctly, petrissage brings circulation to the muscle or muscles, squeezes our toxins and releases toxins.
Phytotherapy: Healing through plants, involving the use of herbs, aromatic essential oils, seaweeds, herbal and floral extracts.
Pilates Method: A body conditioning system which focuses on improving flexibility and overall body strength without building bulk. Developed in Germany by Dr.Joseph Pilates during the 1920s.
Polarity Therapy: According to the American Polarity Therapy Association, “Energy fields and currents exist everywhere in nature. Polarity Therapy asserts that the flow and balance of energy in the human body is the foundation of good health. In the Polarity model, health is experienced when: Energy systems function in their natural state, and energy flows smoothly without significant blockage or fixation. When energy is unbalanced, blocked or fixed due to stress or other factors, pain and disease arise. Blockages generally manifest in sequence from the subtle to the dense levels of the field. Polarity Therapy seeks to find the blockages and release energy to normal flow patterns, and to maintain the Energy Field in an open, flexible condition.
Poultice: Plant or herb compress aimed at relieving pain, swelling or irritation. The plant or herb itself is applied directly to the affected area.
Polish: A gentle body treatment used to exfoliate, hydrate, and soften the skin.
Q
Qigong / Chi Kung / Chi Kong: Pronounced “CHEE GUNG”, a Chinese energy exercise where breathing and body movement build chi or life force energy.
R
Rasul: An Eastern ceremony for body care involving a cleansing seaweed soap shower, medicinal muds, and an invigorating herbal steam bath.
Reflexology: An ancient Chinese technique in which specific pressure points (usually on the feet, but also on the hands and ears) are massaged in order to re-establish the flow of energy throughout the body. Relieves stress and releases energy and pressure throughout the body.
Reiki: A form of energy healing work in which vital life force or chi flows through the Reiki practitioner to the client, resulting in deep relaxation and the balancing of body, mind and spirit.
Rolfing: Created by Ida Rolf, a bodywork modality that improves balance and flexibility through manipulation of rigid muscles, bones, and joints. Intended to realign the skeletal and muscular structure of the body, relieve stress and improve energy.
