Vichy hydrotherapy, water treatments, and the use of water in a therapeutic way has been used for hundreds of years in different forms. The Romans and Greeks used baths and water therapies, and hydrotherapy overall is an important part of alternative medicine treatments.
The main reason people visit health spas is to relax and detox. Some spas offer Vichy hydrotherapy treatments, and this offers a unique and effective way to de-stress. Steam rooms, hot tubs and baths are great ways to relax. But a Vichy shower really combines relaxation with the effects of water therapy.
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What is a Vichy Hydrotherapy Treatment?
Named after a town in France called Vichy, the shower treatment is a form of therapy developed in Europe. It involves laying on a table with a number of shower heads above. Typically between 6-8 shower heads, allowing the water to cover the length of the clients body.
A client will have usually had a body scrub or a wrap treatment and the shower will wash all of the products off their body. As well as giving them a therapeutic effect from the pressure of the water. The shower heads can be customized in firmness and sometimes other options such as mood lighting or additional scrubs and gels will be offered.
You will certainly feel refreshed and clean afterwards. I always feel really relaxed afterwards, and I find the water pressure stimulates my body in a similar way to a massage. I have a warm feeling afterwards and my skin feels alive.
This is because with water stimulates your skin in a similar way to a massage. It gets the blood circulating and helps to release tension in muscles and soft-tissue. You won’t be able to work out any knots deep in the tissue like a Swedish massage can, but you can release a lot of tension.
Benefits of Vichy Hydrotherapy
Benefits of this form of treatment include the following:
- Stimulating lymph activity to aid the removal of toxins in the body
- Boost and strengthens the immune system
- Increases the effectiveness of products used on treatments beforehand
- Stimulates blood circulation
- Relaxes the mind and body, helping with the symptoms of stress and mental burnout
- Release tension in muscles and loosens up the body
- Increases the function of internal organs through improved blood supply
Hydrotherapy is often recommended for patients with chronic pain or specific injuries. It’s a softer way to deal with painful injuries than a massage in many instances.
It’s often overlooked as a treatment because it can cost a little more than a massage. It also requires some specific equipment and takes longer than a massage.
If you have any concerns about Vichy shower etiquette or what to expect from a treatment I covered this in detail. There’s nothing to be concerned about, check if your local spa has the equipment and book yourself a session.
Why Should You Book a Hydrotherapy Treatment?
Firstly, anyone who is interesting in experimenting with different forms of treatments should try hydrotherapy at least once. That was I first tried it, out of curiosity. Since then I’ve done it on occasion because it’s such an invigorating and beneficial form of treatment.
Water offers different properties than other forms of massage that use hands and oils. The way the body reacts to the sudden impact of cold or hot water, along with the pressure and the shower effect is unique. The nerves in our bodies are stimulated and react to the water. Transferring signals to stimulate the immune system, produce hormones, accelerate lymph fluid production, and increase blood circulation.
All positive reactions that aid and increase a persons overall well-being and health. With the options of cold or hot water, and hard or soft pressure being used to offer different effects. Cold water for example gives the mind and body a shock. While hot water is very relaxing and helps to loosen muscle tension.
Hydrotherapy Contraindications
As with all forms of treatment there are some contradictions to be aware of. If you are suffering from any of the following you should not go ahead with a treatment unless you have been given medical clearance from a medical professional.
- Any open wounds or sores
- Symptoms of fever, either extremely cold or hot body temperature
- Incontinence
- Prone to seizures
- History of any cardiac issues
- Skin conditions
- Sun burn or other abrasions on the skin
Vichy Shower Video
Here is a video of a typical treatment.
I’m a MA, (CMT) Certified Massage Therapist, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and Reiki Master — I’m a licensed massage therapist with over 10 years of experience in the industry.