1. The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists
WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS
SPA HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT
SPA EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES & PROCEDURES
LESSON S-1.0
© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2010 Milady, a part of Cengage Learning.
All Rights Reserved.

2. Susie Ellis, President – SpaFinder®
SPA THOUGHT
“There is growing respect for therapists because
people recognize that spas are not just about
gold and marble. They’re about what happens
when the treatment room doors close. They are
about the practitioner, not the place. Therapists
need to know that.”
Susie Ellis, President – SpaFinder®

3. IN THE BEGINNING—SPAS’ WATERY ROOTS
Ever since humans developed the technology that made it possible to harness the powers of water for pleasure and therapy, they have done so.
WATER has been the common thread throughout spa history.

4. ACRONYMS Sanus per aquam Salus per aqua “health through water”
Sanitas per aqua
Solus per Aqua “water in itself”

5. “BACKRONYMS”
The word “spa” cannot actually be an acronym as many people believe.
Acronyms were not used until the 20th century.

6. THE REAL ORIGIN OF “SPA”
From the Latin verb “spagere,” meaning “to sprinkle or flow”
The town of Spa in Belgium was named so for its hot springs.
In 1596, physician Timothy Bright called hot springs in Great Britain the “English Spaw.”

7. MODERN SPA INDUSTRY Spas are part of the hospitality industry.
Clients pay millions of visits to spas every year and spend billions of dollars—over $10 billion per year on average.
Approximately 14,000 spas in U.S.
Average income per spa = approximately $700,000

8. SPA TRENDS Weight loss: #1 reason people visit a destination spa
Luxury: People are willing to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Mother/daughter: People want friends and loved ones in their spa experiences.
Men: Ever-growing numbers of men; spa goers are 30% male.

9. TYPES OF MODERN SPAS Destination spa Hotel/resort spa Day spa Club spa
Medical/dental spa
Mineral springs spa

10. THE SPA CLIENT
It is helpful to know more about spa goers for three main reasons:
in order to find them
in order to understand them
in order to treat them better

11. THE SPA CLIENT Most are women. % of males is growing.
#1 most requested treatment in spas continues to be massage.

12. REASONS VARY GREATLY FOR CLIENTS TO VISIT SPAS
Reduce stress
Soothe sore joints/muscles
Feel better about oneself
Mental/emotional health
Improve appearance
Overall wellness
Opportunity to socialize
Recovery from injury
Lose weight

13. MASSAGE THERAPISTS IN THE SPA
Focus on becoming a valuable player on the spa’s “team”
Form realistic expectations:
spas are #1 employer of therapists
competition for the best spa jobs is intense
many opportunities to advance in the industry

14. SPA MYTHS VS. SPA REALITIES
MYTH: have to do 10 massages in a row
REALITY: 5–6 is the normal max
MYTH: only “pampering” done in spas
REALITY: spas offer advanced bodywork

15. SPA MYTHS VS. SPA REALITIES
MYTH: therapists poorly paid in spas.
REALITY: therapists make $20–$40+/hour
 MYTH: unskilled therapists work in spas
REALITY: highly skilled therapists work in spas
MYTH: clientele constantly changing
REALITY: ¾ of spas have repeat clientele

16. DRY ROOM a spa treatment room that does not have a source of water; no
shower, no bathtub, no
hydrotherapy tub, no
wet table, no drain in
the floor, and usually no
tiles on the floor or walls

17. WET ROOM a spa treatment room, usually tiled, that has a
source of water in it such as a shower, a
bathtub, a hydrotherapy tub, or a wet table
with Vichy shower, and has drainage for the water

18. WET TABLES
Modern wet rooms feature tables with built-in drains

19. INFRASTRUCTURE WET ROOM DRY ROOM plumbing plumbed table drain
tiled floors and walls
DRY ROOM
massage room
no shower, tub, or sink needed
source of water nearby

20. EQUIPMENT WET ROOM DRY ROOM wet table shower hydrotherapy tub optional
massage table
insulating container to keep products & towels hot

21. ADVANTAGES WET ROOM DRY ROOM luxurious fast product removal
immersive hydrotherapy
DRY ROOM
inexpensive
can be included in massage practice
clients enjoy more hands-on care

22. DISADVANTAGES WET ROOM DRY ROOM expensive uses large amount of water
underused in most spas
DRY ROOM
difficult to clean products from skin
no high-tech hydrotherapy treatments

23. SAFETY ISSUES WET ROOM DRY ROOM slips on wet tile floors
potential electrical hazards
hot water makes burning a concern
DRY ROOM
hot towels & products can create a burn hazard

24. WET ROOM VS. DRY ROOM Q&A
Q: Are there any spa treatments that cannot be administered in a dry room?
A: Yes. Vichy shower, hydrotherapy bath. However, all body wraps and exfoliations can be applied in a dry room.

25. WET ROOM VS. DRY ROOM Q&A
Q: Will clients still visit a spa if it does not include a wet room?
A: Definitely. The large majority of guests are quite happy receiving spa services in a dry room.

26. WET ROOM VS. DRY ROOM Q&A
Q: In order to compete with other spas, is a wet room necessary?
A: Only if the spa is a large, high-end facility.

27. WET ROOM VS. DRY ROOM Q&A
Q: Are wet rooms better because you can do wet treatments plus massage in them?
A: Not necessarily. They cost more, and some clients prefer massage in a massage room.

28. SETTING UP A SPA DRY ROOM
Slightly larger than a massage room (ideally 10’ x 14’ minimum )
Multi-purpose treatment table
Source of water
Heating unit
hydrocollator
hot towel cabbie
roaster

29. SETTING UP A SPA DRY ROOM
Insulated containers
Blankets
Spa bowls
Wheeled stool

30. OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE DRY ROM
Paraffin wax
Treatment bar
Steamy Wonder™
Infrared lamp
Russian steam cabinet
Sauna
Foot bath

31. SPA WET ROOM EQUIPMENT Four categories of wet room equipment showers
tubs
tables
chambers

32. WET ROOM SHOWERS Hot/Cold shower Vichy shower Swiss shower Scotch hose
regular shower at hot or cold temperature
Vichy shower
shower heads on bar extending over table
Swiss shower
multiple shower heads pointing at client
Scotch hose
powerful spray jet aimed at standing client

33. WET ROOM TUBS Hydrotherapy tub Jacuzzi/whirlpool/hot tub Soaking tub
computerized jets & underwater massage hose
Jacuzzi/whirlpool/hot tub
tub with non-programmed jets
Soaking tub
features therapeutic ingredients or seawater
Mud/enzyme bath
specialized spas with natural mud, enzymes

34. WET ROOM TABLES Wet table Treatment pedestal Soft pack table
waterproof table with built-in drainage
Treatment pedestal
solid, waist-high structure for wet treatments
Soft pack table
rubberized cover atop a liquid medium

35. WET ROOM CHAMBERS Steam chamber Rasul chamber Hammam Spa suite
tiled room with moist steam heat
Rasul chamber
ornate room for steam & mud application
Hammam
Turkish steam room with treatment table
Spa suite
private room with spa equipment available

36. SAFETY ISSUES IN THE SPA
Regarding safety, spa therapists require an especially high level of vigilance for two main reasons:
risk to clients
risk to themselves

37. SAFETY ISSUES IN THE SPA
Spas pose a specific combination of risks found in few other work environments.
Risks caused primarily by the pervasive use of:
heat
water

38. SPA SAFETY RULES Keep surfaces dry. Self-test product temperatures.
Use non-slip floor coverings.
Post warning signs where appropriate.
Assist clients when exiting heat treatments.

39. SPA SAFETY RULES Keep water temperatures in safe range.
Fully wring out sheets and towels that come into contact with clients.
Use intake forms and ask about allergies.
Communicate with clients.
Document everything.

40. KEEP CLIENTS HYDRATED It is important that clients stay hydrated.
good for their health
gracious gesture
make this a ritual offering

41. SPA ROOM SANITATION Treatment rooms need to be spotless.
Sanitize equipment after each use.
Use a Safety & Sanitation Checklist.

42. SUMMARY You now know: origins of spas
the numbers and types of spas now operating
what is expected of massage therapists in spas
the difference between a wet room & dry room
spa equipment and supplies needed
important safety rules for spa work
how to maintain sanitary spa conditions