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Balneotherapy: what it is and how to apply it in your wellness space

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Balneotherapy: what it is and how to apply it in your wellness space
11/12/25

Balneotherapy is the therapeutic and controlled use of water (along with mud, algae, or steam) to improve physical health, circulation, skin, and emotional well-being, and not just for relaxation. Unlike a conventional spa, it is organized as a treatment: defined routes, standardized times and temperatures, and greater professional support.

Its benefits include deep relaxation, relief from muscle and joint pain, improved circulation, better skin care, and improved sleep quality.

In hotels, spas, and clubs, it requires well-designed circuits, attention to water quality and balance, and a commitment to efficient and sustainable solutions to offer a comprehensive wellness experience.

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Trends in aquatic wellbeing for hotels and wellness centres
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    More and more people are looking for more than just “a spa break”: they want to relieve tension, sleep better, and take care of their health in a holistic way. They are not satisfied with just relaxing for a moment, but are looking for experiences that have a real impact on their daily well-being.

    In this context, balneotherapy fits perfectly, because it turns water into a therapeutic tool and not just an element of relaxation.

    Drawing inspiration from projects where the aquatic experience is carefully crafted down to the last detail can help visualize the potential of this type of facility.

    What is balneotherapy and what is it for?

    Balneotherapy is the controlled use of water and resources such as mud, algae, or steam with a clear objective: to improve a person’s overall health and well-being.

    It is not just a matter of “taking a bath”: the temperature, pressure, exposure time, and areas of the body to be treated are all defined. Among its most common uses are:

    • Relief of muscle and joint pain.
    • Improved circulation and a feeling of lightness in the legs.
    • Reduction of stress and anxiety.
    • Skin care and support in functional recovery processes.

    In wellness spaces, balneotherapy is integrated as part of programs aimed at deep relaxation or sports recovery, among others.

    Practical difference between balneotherapy and a conventional spa

    In a conventional spa, the main focus is on the sensory experience: relaxing and freely enjoying the facilities. In balneotherapy, the experience is structured like a mini “treatment”:

    • The program is designed with a specific purpose in mind (recovery, stress relief, joint wellness, etc.).
    • The times, temperatures, and jets are not random, but follow defined protocols.
    • There is usually guidance or recommendations from specialized staff.

    While the spa is understood as leisure, balneotherapy is perceived more as therapeutic wellness, although without losing the pleasurable component.

    The following table summarizes the practical difference between the two approaches:

    AppearanceConventional spaBalneotherapy
    Main objectiveRelaxation and recreational enjoymentTherapeutic well-being and functional improvement
    Circuit designFree use of facilitiesDefined routes with a specific purpose
    Time and water controlMore flexible, comfort-orientedProtocolized times, temperatures, and jets
    Professional supervisionGeneral guidanceMore specialized recommendation and follow-up
    User perceptionLeisure, occasional disconnectionHealth care and comprehensive well-being

    Benefits of balneotherapy for health and well-being

    Integrating balneotherapy into a wellness space provides a number of benefits that users will appreciate.

    In many cases, these benefits are enhanced when balneotherapy is part of well-designed, specialized areas, such as those found in professional wellness centers.

    Some of these benefits include:

    • Deep relaxation thanks to the combined effect of flotation, heat, and massage.
    • Reduction of muscle spasms and strain after physical activity or long working days.
    • Improved circulation through sequential jets, thermal contrasts, and hydrotherapy areas.
    • Better skin care, especially when mineralized waters, mud, and gentle exfoliation are combined.
    • Emotional well-being, as the experience helps you disconnect and improves sleep quality.

    Essential balneotherapy techniques

    Vichy shower and pressure jets

    The Vichy shower consists of a table on which the user lies down while several horizontal showers spray water at different temperatures and pressures. It is used to:

    • Relax the muscles
    • Promote drainage
    • Enhance exfoliation or massage treatments

    Pressure jets (goosenecks, lumbar jets, waterfalls, etc.) are normally integrated into hydrotherapy pools and thermal circuits to work on specific areas such as the neck, back, or legs.

    Mud and wraps: when to add them

    Mud and wraps (algae, mud, clay) are applied to specific areas or the whole body to:

    • Improve the appearance and remineralization of the skin.
    • Relieve mild joint discomfort.
    • Increase the feeling of physical and mental “reset” when combined with showers or immersions.

    They are a good resource for creating complete rituals with high perceived value.

    Implementation in hotels, spas, and clubs

    When applying balneotherapy in hotels, spas, or clubs, three aspects should be taken into account:

    1. Circuit design
    • Define the main objective: sports recovery, anti-stress, comprehensive wellness, etc.
    • Choose appropriate equipment: hydrotherapy pools, Vichy showers, water massage beds, contrast areas.
    • Take inspiration from concepts such as the hydrotherapy pool to create coherent circuits.
    1. Water quality and comfort: A good wellness design also takes care of the water balance. Understanding why the pH of the pool rises, measuring the pool’s alkalinity regularly, and avoiding high alkalinity in the pool, which can cause irritation or dryness, is key to user safety and comfort.
    2. Sustainability and positioning: Integrating efficient air conditioning and water treatment systems and committing to an eco-friendly spa and wellness model reinforces the center’s image and meets the expectations of an increasingly conscious customer.

    Balneotherapy allows your wellness space to go a step beyond the traditional spa, with structured experiences focused on comprehensive care.

    If you want to boost your hotel, spa, or club in this area, Fluidra can help you design and implement hydrotherapy and wellness solutions tailored to your project.