Thalassotherapy involves the therapeutic use of seawater. It is a common alternative therapy in Europe, especially in Germany and France. Some medical schools in Europe include thalassotherapy in their curriculum.
Thalassotherapy can involve a number of practices, such as:
- bathing or swimming in sea water
- the application to the body of marine products, such as seaweed, mud or sand
- spending time near the sea
- take food supplements that contain substances from the sea
Thalassotherapy is similar to balneotherapy, which consists of bathing in mineral water from a spring. The difference between the two is that thalassotherapy uses seawater exclusively.
Proponents of this therapy claim that it is beneficial due to the substances that seawater contains. Seawater is rich in a number of minerals, such as:
sodium
chloride
magnesium
potassium
calcium
iodine
Health Benefits of Thalassotherapy
Although research is limited, a few studies suggest that thalassotherapy may have health benefits.
1 Stroke
A 2020 study looked at the effect of aquatic therapy in a saltwater pool in 62 people who had suffered a stroke. Aquatic therapy consists of exercises in water. The experiment consisted of 45-minute sessions, 5 days a week for 2 weeks.
Analysis of the study results indicated that the combination of aquatic therapy and thalassotherapy undertaken in a Mediterranean climate can improve:
pain
the balance
mobility
certain aspects of quality of life.
2 Fibromyalgia
Older research from 2005 evaluated the effects of a combination of thalassotherapy, exercises, and patient education in 58 people with fibromyalgia. The duration of the program was 2.5 weeks. Subsequently, the authors assessed the participants at 3, 6, and 12 months.
The results showed that the program produced temporary benefits between 3 and 6 months, but did not last beyond this period. Effects included improvements in the following areas:
pain
tiredness
general health
physical functioning
3 Mental health.
The 2005 study also looked at the effects of the combination therapy program on participants’ mental health. Although the program appeared to produce improvements in mental health, these were shorter-lived and less pronounced than improvements in physical health.
4 Skin conditions
Climatotherapy consists of temporarily or permanently settling in a certain climate to improve health or treat an illness. When a person moves to the coast, this is also an aspect of thalassotherapy.
A 2013 study explored the effects of Dead Sea climatotherapy on psoriasis. It involved 119 people with the condition, who completed quality of life questionnaires at different intervals during the study. The results suggest that proximity to the Dead Sea improves quality of life for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
5 Musculoskeletal disorders
A 2011 study evaluated the effects of a treatment program including sun exposure, bathing in the Dead Sea, and bathing in mineral spring water for people with musculoskeletal disorders. The 60 participants suffered from various pathologies, including lower back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Data analysis showed that the program increased vitamin D levels, which helped reduce pain and the severity of ailments. However, much of this may be due to sun exposure. More specific research on the impact of sea bathing is needed to determine if thalassotherapy helps these pathologies.
How does thalassotherapy work?
According to a 2019 study, thalassotherapy can benefit your health in several ways.
When a person’s skin comes into contact with seawater, sodium and chloride can enter the body. From there, they can affect skin cells by changing the pressure inside them, which in turn can inhibit cell death.
The air near the sea also tends to be cleaner than the air in cities and to contain fewer common allergens. This may mean that people with asthma or hay fever can breathe easier by the ocean.
The review adds that a number of plant and animal substances from the sea have beneficial properties. For example, salmon oil and cod liver oil are sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Some thalassotherapy programs also include other health benefits, such as exercise and time for relaxation. This may explain its popularity as an alternative therapy.
Proponents of thalassotherapy claim that sea air can be beneficial. It contains tiny droplets of seawater, which people inhale when they breathe. This might mean that they ingest small amounts of minerals this way, but no research has investigated whether this is true or whether it may impact health.
Thalassotherapy treatments
Thalassotherapy treatments vary according to the centres:
Baths: A key element of thalassotherapy is bathing in seawater. Some treatments may also involve bathing in water containing seaweed or sea mud.
Shower: Guests can also shower in sea water or fresh water containing marine minerals. Practitioners can use hydro massage by high pressure water jets to relieve the muscles.
Skincare: Thalassotherapy centers may use a range of marine products in their treatments. For example, the thalasso wrap consists of applying seaweed or sea mud to the body before wrapping the person in a warm blanket. The person then washes off the mixture. Therapists may also use sea salt scrubs, mud masks, or other products.
Exercise: Many thalassotherapy programs also include exercises, such as swimming. Water exercises, such as water aerobics, can also be done.
Inhalation: Thalassotherapy resorts can encourage residents to inhale seawater vapor or breathe in the sea air that surrounds them.
Some experts consider seaweed supplements a form of thalassotherapy. Examples include kelp, chlorella, and spirulina supplements.
Does thalassotherapy involve risks?
Thalassotherapy treatments in reputable centers are generally safe. Practitioners are trained there to identify treatments that are safe for a person.
However, some risks remain.
Bathing in hot sea water can affect the body in other ways. A long, hot bath can cause low blood pressure, fainting, or fatigue. Spending too much time in the sun can also cause sunburn if the person does not protect their skin.
Related therapies
Here are some therapies similar to thalassotherapy:
Balneotherapy: This involves bathing in hot spring water, either directly in the spring itself, or in a spa that uses mineral waters of natural origin. This therapy can help the Trusted Source deal with stress-related issues and mild inflammation.
Hydrotherapy: It consists of immersing part or all of the body in hot or cold water. It may include the use of equipment, such as a sitz bath or a whirlpool bath. Hot water relaxes muscles and reduces arthritis pain, while cold water stimulates blood circulation.
Algotherapy: This is the use of seaweed or seaweed in baths, body wraps or facials to promote well-being.
Halothermy: This method involves breathing in salty air from a room filled with mineral-rich salt. Although it may possibly help people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) breathe easier, no evidence to date supports its use as a medical treatment.
Résumé
Thalassotherapy is the use of sea water and marine substances for health. Some believe that its benefits come from the sea’s abundant content of minerals, such as sodium, chloride and iodine. These substances can be absorbed through the skin, but little research has been done on whether this can help improve health. Thalassotherapy treatments may include baths, swimming, hydromassages or aquatic exercises. Spending time near the sea, where the air is generally cleaner than in cities, can also benefit some people.
It is advisable to consult a doctor before trying thalassotherapy or taking dietary supplements of marine origin.
Sources
Gálvez, I., et al. (2018). Balneotherapy, immune system, and stress response: A hormetic strategy?
Nagaich, U. (2016). Hydrotherapy: Tool for preventing illness.