Thalasso slimming cure, how to choose it?
The French population is crazy about water: indeed the French no longer lose an opportunity to swim, or to enjoy the aquatic benefits. Moreover, for 92% of them, the benefits of thalassotherapy are proven. They are even 65% to consider a stay in a marine center(1). And the sector is doing well: an increase in overall turnover of 7%, between 2016 and 2018, according to the President of France Thalasso, the national professional union of thalassotherapy(2). But by the way, do “marine” treatments really helpyou lose weight? What is a thalasso slimming cure and how to choose it?
What is thalassotherapy?
Thalassotherapy is a therapy based on the benefits of the marine environment (water, salt, algae, mud, sand, marine climate) to prevent or treat certain conditions – dermatological, rheumatic, respiratory. In recent decades, the thalasso has evolved and the centers also offer spa and wellness activities, less medicalized. Also, thalassotherapy cures are now aimed at a varied audience and offer realfitness programs: slimming, detox, anti-stress pi stillanti-cellulite.
However, and even if it is relaxing, a thalasso cure is nothing like a holiday: it always takes place under medical supervision, and follows a very particular protocol. It generally consists of several daily treatments, over a period of 4 to 8 days. In addition, and with regard to slimming cures, the latter presuppose interviews with a nutrition specialist (dietician, doctor-nutritionist).
What are the classic treatments of a thalasso slimming cure?
Thalassotherapy centers are redoubling their inventiveness to offer ever more unusual treatments. However, the basis of thalasso care remains the same: it involves the properties of the marine universe for better health – and, in this case, slimming. A slimming cure will therefore naturally rely on the following treatments.
Hydromassage
It is a water massage, which is based on a double benefit:
- The benefit of massage , which helps tone the skin and drain the body.
- The benefit of water, since seawater is highly mineralized.
It can be practiced on the whole body or in a more localized way, on the specific areas to be treated, depending on whether you want to refine your thighs, buttocks, stomach or hips. The thalasso slimming cure generally offers different types of hydromassage:
- The massage by jets, which consists either of projecting water on a specific area, or of a shower in a cabin equipped with jets of various intensity and pressure (what is more commonly called a “balneo shower”) ), or by immersion in a bathtub equipped with nozzles propelling water.
- Hydromassage by bubbles, which resembles a spa or a whirlpool bath. You immerse yourself in a tank or a basin equipped with nozzles, which propel air and thus generate “massaging” bubbles.
- Rain massage, in a affusion shower that projects fine drops of seawater on the body, for half an hour.
Hydromassage fits perfectly into a slimming cure, because it revitalizes, firms the skin, promotes circulation and drainage, stimulates the body and relaxes (andstresshas a negative influence on weight).
Finally, it should be noted that certain techniques, such as the hydromassage bath (with seaweed, essential oils ), marine drainage (lymphatic drainage with a jet) or Watermass (palpating and rolling under affusion) are neither more nor less than hydromassages.
The wrap
Another essential treatment in thalassotherapy, the wrap (or body wrap). It consists of covering the body with a poultice, then wrapping it in cellophane film, and finally covering it with aheatsource (such as an electric blanket). Traditionally, the wrap is made with sea mud, sea clay and/or seaweed. These compounds contain many mineral salts, trace elements andvitamins, which remineralize and revitalize the body (a sine qua non for considering slimming). Often, the wrap is preceded by a sauna or a hammam, in order to dilate the pores of the skin, and by a scrub, to eliminate dead cells and promote the transdermal penetration of active ingredients.
The sport
A slimming cure in thalasso also presupposes Sports Activitiestag. Thus, many centers offer tonic activities, such as aquabike or waterbike (combination of aquabiking and hydromassage), aquagym, aquajumb (submerged trampoline), aquapower ( water aerobics with wrist and ankle weights),swimming , beach training (cardio training on the beach), brisk walkingin the sand… Practicing sports in the water allows you to lose weight and tone up without risk of injury. In addition, water, by creating resistance, intensifes the range of efforts. Not to mention its massaging power, which is particularly beneficial for slimming and eliminating water retention. As for outdoor sports, they allow you to re-oxygenate yourselfand benefit from the virtues of the iodized sea air. The exercises, practiced in the sand, are to be snuffed: the sand, a loose surface, requires work on balance and stability and therefore, a solicitation of the deep muscles.
Food
The slimming cures in thalassotherapy obviously presuppose a review of one’s diet. Very often, the cures offer full board: also, the meals are composed by nutrition professionals. As such, a food balance sheet is drawn up at the start of treatment: it will allow the development of menus in line with the needs and objectives of the spa client. Thus, the diet will aim to compensate fordeficiencies remineralize, control Daily caloric intake… Thalasso requires, seafood products will often be required. Moreover, algae will be honoured: low in fat, rich in nutrients (vitamins and minerals), they allow the body to be detoxified and promote weight loss (for example by loweringcholesterolemia ).
In addition, some thalasso centers offer dietary cooking classes or mindful eating workshops to reteach spa guests how to eat healthily.
What are the ancillary treatments completing the thalasso slimming cure?
In addition to traditional treatments, there are other slimming treatments, which could be found in aesthetic centers, but which thalassotherapy has seized to complete its offer. Some appeal to the virtues of water, others less. Thus, some slimming cures in thalasso offer:
- Cryolipolysis: a slimming technique inspired bycryotherapy, which allows to reshape the silhouette by applying cold on the areas to be treated.
- Biocatalytic oxygenation: also called Bol d’Air Jacquier (named after its designer), this detoxification technique consists of propelling vapors from the peroxidation of pine essential oil, to boost lung function and regenerate cells from the body. The body would then be more inclined to lose weight.
- Hydromassage ball: the technique consists of massaging the extremities by immersing them in a mixture of glass balls and water. The reflux of water associated with the pressure and percussion of the balls would make it possible to revive the lymphatic circulation and thus, to refine.
- The technique of suction cups: also known as cupping, Body Palp… It is in fact a question of applyingSuction Cups to certain parts of the body to decongest the connective tissues and stimulate circulation, in order to facilitate slimming.
- , with the exception that the water does not come into direct contact with the body. It is projected against a film of separation, on which the curist is lying. He nevertheless feels all the sensations of the massage, and benefits from its benefits. The hydromassage bed allows, among other things, to benefit from a gentle lymphatic drainage, to promote weight loss.
How to choose your slimming cure in thalassotherapy?
Several criteria come into play:
- First of all, you can rely on the treatment offered by thalassotherapy centres. Adapt your selection according to the desired goal. Want to tone up? Do yousuffer from water retention, which explains your extra pounds? Do you have a complicated relationship with food? Depending on this little personal assessment, you will undoubtedly be able to refine your choice and find the thalassotherapy that suits you best.
- The price remains an important criterion, because prices fluctuate from one center to another. Moreover, count between 1000 and 3000€ for 6 days. You should also know that a slimming cure in thalassotherapy is not reimbursed by Social Security. OnlySpa Treatments prescribed by a doctor in the event of overweight or obesity can fall within the scope of reimbursement.
- The destination should not be neglected, because each climate has its virtues. Thus, the Atlantic climate would be invigorating, the Mediterranean climate rather calming and the edges of the English Channel particularly invigorating. It is also possible to consider cures abroad: Japan, Portugal, Morocco…
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.