What Is Spa?

This short and interesting word has a long history and refers to both a popular place and to equipment that people may purchase. The word has been in use for hundreds of years, though the idea of spa relaxation and treatment goes back much further than that.

There are towns well known for their spas and resorts have been established in many places around the world for the specific purpose of offering the spa experience. This may include various forms of relaxing in warm or heated water and it may also include associated medical treatments and massage.

According to historical records, the word “spa” comes from a town by the same name in the European country of Belgium. This location was known for its waters even when the Roman Empire expanded into Europe. In the 1500s, some people in England began to follow the tradition of bathing for medicinal purposes (which may date back to Roman times or a bit earlier). The practice was followed in such English towns as Bath, and became even more popular as the people began to search for therapeutic springs and streams.

A man by the name of Slingsby is sometimes credited with actually building a structure around a well. This may be the start of using the word “spa” in a general sense, as separate from the community in Belgium. In many early spa operations, the clients drank the water for medicinal purposes rather than bathing in it. Eventually, spas began to offer both types of treatment.

Among the evidence for a long history of spa activity are the springs and ruins in such countries as France, the former Czechoslovakia, Greece and Italy. The practice was transported over the miles and the years to England and many other European countries. In most cases, the citizens believed that drinking and bathing in certain waters (usually from a spring) would provide internal and external purification.

In the very early practice there were not many large or permanent structures for spa purposes. This changed with the Greek and Roman civilizations. Public baths, elaborate walls around springs and other structures helped change the way people viewed spa activity. Some of the people in these areas actually believed that certain waters in a spring or a stream could be used to gain a “blessing” from the gods.

In the 20th century and beyond, spas and spa activity have become a huge, worldwide industry. There is even an International Spa Association. There are dozens of clubs that have a spa as their centerpiece. Some people also make occasional use of a spa that is open to the public. Club membership is not mandatory in these locations. Not only that, but thousands travel to resorts and hotels on holiday trips, with the goal of treating themselves to time in the spa. In many cases, these resorts and hotels combine mineral spas, hot-water spas and other treatment with special menus and other activities. Spas that were originally a simple bathing or drinking of certain waters have become full-fledged vacation destinations.

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