Will the Spa become a regular part of global standard healthcare, alongside annual medical exams and preventative screening guidelines?  It’s not inconceivable to think that one day, your doctor may prescribe bi-weekly trips to the sauna to help prevent high blood pressure or recommend tri-weekly massages in place of prescription pain killers.  

The Spa has evolved beyond its past label of “self-indulgent, body pampering” and into the arena of scientifically-validated, evidence-based therapies for improving health and wellbeing.   Recent studies have shown that weeklong participation in a “wellness program” (which includes therapies commonly found in the Spa) can enhance subjective improvement in health, as reported by clients, along with objective improvement in measurable factors, such as weight reduction, lowered blood pressure and cardiovascular benefit.  Multiple studies over the years have promoted the pain-relieving benefits of massage and acupuncture, which we can safely assume have a positive impact on moods and quality of life.

The evidence for Spa therapies, which typically includes massage, acupuncture, sauna & hydrotherapy, along with a varied selection of color / sound therapies, and meditative exercises, has been accumulating and with the current global health crisis, it seems that we are in great need of safe and effective therapies to help prevent premature decline in health. 

 With our growing knowledge and investigations using rapid advancements in wearable technology, Biometrics analysis, and various data collection methods, the Spa Wellness era will inevitably play a critical role in improving global health outcomes.  Chiva-Som welcomes this revolution of Spa Wellness and will continue to harness the profound benefits of the Spa to enhance our client’s health and wellbeing.

Please check back regularly for updates on how you can gain benefits to your health from all that Chiva-Som and Spa Wellness have to offer!

- By Jason Culp, Naturopathic Doctor at Chiva-Som.