Spa Treatments: The History, Health Benefits and Growing Popularity

Image: Foot Palace of Athens

Who doesn’t enjoy a little rest and relaxation? Today spas and hot springs are in the top two tourist inspired destinations globally. The most visited are located in the Mediterranean and in far Eastern Asia. 

Since the beginning of modern civilization we have been enjoying mineral baths, foot spas, and a plethora of spa related indulgences. Not only do these spa inspired R&R retreats alleviate stress, they improve our health - giving ample cause for vacationers to flock to spas on their work holidays. 

In many countries spa practices are not just for holidays, the spa is a daily or weekly part of a typical health regimen. If a little R&R on the annual vacation can alleviate stress and improve your mood, imagine how you would feel integrating spa practices into your regular health regimen.


The earliest descriptions of spa practices originated in Greece. The Grecians introduced the first foot baths in the second millennium BC. These spas were established to promote healing using therapeutic water to relieve fatigue and to improve health. Archeologists have documented hot springs, mineral baths, and spas in nearly every ancient civilization for the same practices of curing physical and mental related ailments. 

In the Celtic hot spring baths of England, the spas are believed to purify the body both physically and spiritually. The Japanese foot baths or “Ashiyu” have been the source of health pilgrimages to various hot springs for over 1,600 years. 

So what is it about these foot spas that accounts for their prominence since ancient times? Spas improve circulation, reduce stress, alleviate headaches, reduce the symptoms of PMS, and many other ailments by detoxifying the body. Our feet and underarms are primary pathways for discharging toxins from the body. 

Feet also contain energy channels which have been long observed by the Chinese. The Chinese foot spa practices include reflexology, or the use of pressure points to aid in improving circulation and detoxification.


There are many ways of performing a foot detox today including the aforementioned reflexology, in addition to foot pads, ionic baths, and the more traditional mineral foot bath originating in ancient Roman spas. 

While it may be difficult to coordinate regular spa retreats, foot spas offering mineral baths and reflexology are a more convenient addition to every health regimen. Foot spas have been popular local destinations in the East, and are quickly becoming popular in the West as the health benefits of regular spa practices are recommended by health practitioners. 

Next time you are searching for a foot spa near you, be sure to inquire about reflexology.