thalassotherapy

Thalassotherapy is a form of spa therapy that uses seawater, sea products, and sea air as part of prescribed treatments. Procedures commonly involve immersion in warmed seawater or mechanical baths, body or partial immersion, showers, marine mud or algae packs, inhalation of sea aerosols, and massage or exercise programs. The term derives from the Greek thalassa (sea) and therapeutics (therapy).

Originating in the 19th century in European spa towns along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, thalassotherapy was further developed in France and other parts of Western Europe. It is now offered in dedicated centers and hotels as multi-day programs that integrate hydrotherapy, mud treatments, algotherapy, and fitness or wellness activities.

Advocates claim improvements in circulation, skin hydration, detoxification, and general well-being, as well as relief from some musculoskeletal conditions. However, robust clinical evidence is limited, and many reported benefits may reflect relaxation, routine, and the broader marine climate rather than seawater alone.

Safety is generally good for healthy individuals, but contraindications include acute infections, open wounds, severe heart or kidney disease, pregnancy, or allergies to sea products. Thalassotherapy is typically considered complementary wellness therapy rather than a substitute for medical treatment, and standards vary by country.

In practice, it is commonly part of wellness tourism and spa services, marketed as a holistic approach to health and relaxation. Prospective users should seek guidance from qualified practitioners and consider individual health needs when evaluating thalassotherapy programs.