- January 28, 2020
- Comments: 0
- Posted by: Admin Ramaphala
If you are wondering about spa history and development,well, modern spa history doesn’t go beyond the ancient towns which grew around mineral waters and hot springs which are known for their healing powers. The use of the hot springs may go back even further.
The Greeks were known for bathing in mineral waters and hot springs. On the other hand, the Romans used baths for more than just cleansing, but also for socializing. When Western medicine offered, people traveled to the springs to heal their ailments.
In medieval times, everyone bathed in the same pools. The rich and the poor were not separated. However, this practice ended as the rich discovered they should “take the waters” in much better facilities. And here’s the beginning of the spa development.
The Spa History and Development in the Great 19th Century
By the 19th century, the term Kurorte(cure-towns) was famous. At that time, Bad Ems, Baden-Baden, Bad Gastein, Marienbad, and Karlsbad were prolific destinations for the rich and rising bourgeoisie class. These great spa towns were equivalent to today’s golf resorts, fashion shows, rehab retreats, and music festivals.
At the time, Western medicine didn’t have much to offer. Thus, healing waters were chosen as the best option for symptomatic relief of respiratory, digestive, arthritic, and nervous ailments. It was said that people went to spas to cure everything from gout to cancer.
When it comes to modern spa history and development, hot springs and mineral waters were seen as antiquated and attending plummeted. The rise of the next generation of spas started in 1940 when Edmond and Deborah Szekely opened the first destination spa.
The Rise of Modern Spa and Its Etymology
Edmond and Deborah’s Rancho La Puerta in Mexico inspired Mel and Enid Zuckerman in 1979 to offer Canyon Ranch Tucson. Then, the 1990s and beyond were a time of great growth. In 2015, there were up to 21,000 spas open in the U.S.
No one knows where the word “spa” comes from exactly. However, there are two major theories. The first is that “spa” is an acronym for Salus per aquae, a Latin phrase means “health through water.” Others believe the word comes from the Belgian spa town.
They believe that the town was so popular. Thus, the word spa became synonymous in the English language with a place to be pampered and restored. Nowadays, the spa is enjoyed by many people to re-charge and get relaxed. That’s all the spa history and development.
Keyword: spa history and development
Description: Spa history and development began from a long time ago. It started with the use of hot springs and mineral waters.