Therapy from the sea
1. Thalasso really only exists by the sea
The German hotel, best known for its Thalasso offer, is located in the Baltic Sea resort of Rostock-Warnemünde, where it is anything but cuddly on this winter weekend. When I arrive, an icy wind lashes over a pretty churning Baltic Sea and drives cold, nasty rain before him. You have to like something like that - like me. Immediately after checking in I step on my balcony shivering and look out to the sea. And I feel at the sight of the heart.
"Thalassa" is Greek and means "sea". Its healing effect had already been recognized by Hippocrates. The term "Thalassotherapy" was first used in the mid-19th century by the French physician Bonnadière. Finally, in 1899, the first Thalasso Institute in Brittany was founded, mainly for the treatment of patients with rheumatism, where most of the centers are still to be found today. Thalasso is simply a therapy on and with the sea - but with everything that goes with it: water, algae, silt, wind, salt and fresh, therefore pollutant and pollen-free sea air. Interestingly enough, there are now wellness hotels in the Black Forest, on the Moselle or in the mountains, which offer Thalasso. They certainly make very good algae packs. But real Thalasso is not that.
2. Thalasso is for many, but not for everyone
"Thalasso is particularly good for chronic respiratory diseases, bronchitis, susceptibility to infections and skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and acne"I learn from Dr. Regina Schwanitz, doctor in the "Hotel Neptun". I have none of the problems mentioned. Nevertheless, Dr. Schwanitz confident that thalasso will benefit me as well: the sea climate is good for the skin and the lungs, the treatment with seawater and algae should additionally - depending on application and desire - stimulate the circulation, tighten the connective tissue, strengthen muscles, bones and the immune system or just for new energy and a good body feeling. Who does not need that? For many years Thalasso was used only for the treatment of diseases, as a classic spa stay. It was not until the 1970s that the idea slowly dawned that Thalasso could simply be booked for relaxation, stress reduction and beautification. Today, most of the Thalasso guests in the hotel belong to this category, including me. Nevertheless, everyone receives before the start of a one-week Thalasso cure the medical entrance check by Dr. med. Schwanitz.
Because there are a few risks: Anyone who has high blood pressure or a cardiovascular weakness may experience problems with too hot baths and packs. In the case of guests with thyroid function or an iodine allergy, the algae packs may need to be replaced with mud packs. In the course of the conversation with Dr. Ing. Schwanitz, however, I discover another risk group, which does not explicitly mention: Who under "Wellness" understands only to massage with soft Plingplang music and bring kombucha green tea drinks to the lounger, may be disappointed by real Thalasso , "Passivity and activity should alternate in thalasso, of course we do not force one, but walking in the aerosol surf zone is important," Dr. Schwanitz. "Even without sticks."
3. Thalasso makes - for the time being - tired
The next morning begins with aqua gymnastics in the hotel's own swimming pool, where fresh water is constantly pumped through a pipe directly from the Baltic Sea (fortunately cleaned and warmed up to a comfortable temperature). I always considered aqua-gymnastics a form of non-joint-friendly non-sport, but coach Karl-Heinz Prudöhl (Olympic champion in rowing-eighth 1976) teaches me a better: to run against the water resistance or to press pool noodles with their arms behind their backs under the water surface, where the colorful plastic parts do not stay long, can be very, very exhausting.
But muscles of my body are trained for this, of whose existence I did not even know. In addition, the warm sea water is just great, and I'm looking forward to a few more laps later. A little later I do the Dr. Schwanitz recommended climate change in the "aerosol surf zone" (ie directly on the water): without the offered Nordic walking poles, but with other Thalasso guests and "climate therapist" Sven Sörgel, who lets us measure the pulse at regular intervals. In spite of the rather leisurely step, it actually goes up significantly - running is not that easy, in the sand and against the wind. I am proud when my climate therapist praises my good condition. And very broken. Does not matter: this afternoon is finally relaxation in the spa on the program!
4. Thalasso smells a bit
Many wellness treatments consist mainly of massages and good-smelling masks.Thalasso, on the other hand, is predominantly non-physical. If you are massaging, then it is rarely hands and in most cases sea water jets of varying intensity and temperature, with which one is brewed by a hydrotherapist with the so-called jet shower (not to be confused with the Vichy shower, the only feintröpfiges, warm Sea water on a trickle and under the one even from time to time to enjoy a real massage).
But above all, Thalasso does not smell like strawberries, chocolate or roses, just ... well, hearty to alga. So easy fishy.
I notice that after physiotherapist Christiane Reifels recommended a sea water bath in the Thalasso tub to stimulate the metabolism and beautiful skin. A sea salt peeling later, I'm sitting in a tub of 34 degrees warm sea water, in which mikropulverisierte algae were stirred in, and let me massage from 230 nozzles - feet, legs, thighs, back, neck and back to feet, lower legs, thighs ... 25 minutes, which are much too short. The water is muddy, but no matter: who cares when you're in heaven? Unfortunately, Mrs. Reifels next provided me with a seaweed wrap: a warm algae pudding freshly mixed with water is spread on my body, then wrapped in plastic wrap and covered with a blanket. Allegedly it helps with joint pain, purifying and detoxifying. "Relax," says Mrs. Reifels encouragingly. Unfortunately, I feel like a sushi just over the expiry date and smell the same way. I'm incredibly hot in the plastic stuff as well. Obviously, the difference between heaven and hell is just a few degrees more or less.
Anyway, I'm glad when I'm finally sitting in a bathrobe, sitting in the relaxation area with a cup of tea. After all: My skin feels incredibly great from head to toe.
5. Thalasso makes you happy
In the evening I come back to my balcony. I had for dinner the Thalasso-vital menu (Baltic fish, lots of vegetables and for dessert fruit sorbet, also a few glasses of white wine - okay, you can also order reduction, in which you only 1000 calories a day, but you have to do not exaggerate). I look at the sea. And in fact, after just one day, I feel happy, relaxed and recovered. Certainly it's the Thalasso treatments of my physiotherapists, hydro and climate therapists. But surely it's because nothing is better for the soul than being at the seaside.
What does "Original Thalasso" mean?
With "Thalasso cures" advertise many wellness resorts - even inland. In order to distinguish these purely cosmetic offerings from genuine, holistic thalasso, the term "original thalasso" has come to be naturalized for the latter. The German Thalasso Association (www.thalasso-verband.de) has set the following quality criteria for this:
- The center must be located directly on the sea, in direct influence of the marine climate.
- For the treatments freshly drawn seawater must be used. The sea water must not be treated so that the ingredients are preserved.
- Each center must have at least one swimming pool and a sufficient number of cabins, so that every spa guest can receive three individual treatments per day.
- The center must have one or more doctors. A professional team of masseurs, hydrotherapists and physical education teachers is working there.
- Hygiene and security checks take place automatically.
- Accompanying health-promoting measures from the areas of relaxation, nutrition change and physical activity are offered.
How to get the sea home
With algae
Around 30,000 different species of algae are known that occur in very different forms, such as green algae, brown algae, red algae and single-celled microalgae. However, they all have one thing in common: they have no roots, so they absorb the minerals and trace elements from the sea over their entire surface and can store them in high concentrations - in one kilo of fresh algae are amino acids, trace elements and vitamins of around 100,000 liters Seawater saved. Algae provide moisture and smooth the skin, they have an anti-inflammatory effect, their vitamins protect against free radicals and thus act as a natural anti-aging agent. Baths with liquid algae extracts stimulate lymphatic and circulatory circulation and give new energy. Products with algae Z. B .: For bathing and showering: "Seaweed Bath" by Biomaris, "Thalasso Marine Hydromassage" by Guam, "Aquamondi Brittany Douche Lissante Reminéralisante" by Daniel Jouvance, "Body Splash Vital Bathing Tablets" by Thalgo For the face: Merz Spezial "Foam Mask Seaweed & Minerals", biothermal "Rides Repair Pur Silicon" (with thermal plankton), "La Moisturizing Gel Cream" luxury care, Clarins "Baume Beauté Eclair" balm balm "Protective Day Cream" by Oceanwell (natural cosmetics by marine biologists) For the body: "Thalasso Body-Mask" by Lily Rose, "Crème Subliminale" by Thalgo Algae powder for mixing for packs is available eg. From ThalassoPlus. For the hands: "Hand Cream Algae Extract" by CD, care patches "Ultra Rich Algae & Caviar Treatment" by Koh
With seawater
There are special cosmetics that are based on seawater - this water contains plant extracts, vitamins, sea salt and algae extracts. Deep sea water stimulates the blood circulation of the skin, the dissolved mineral salts make the skin supple and give it a fresh look. Since seawater and blood plasma are very similar in their physio logical composition, these products are usually well tolerated even for sensitive skin. Products with ocean depth Z. B .: "AromaThalasso Body Spray fresh" by Biomaris, Aqua Spray "Eau Physiomarine Pure" by Daniel Jouvance, "Muroto Volume Shampoo" by Shu Uemura (for fine hair)
With sea silt
Sea slime contains ten times more minerals than seawater, and the fine-grained clay can store heat very well, which is good for all musculoskeletal disorders - sea mud packs are therefore used, for example, for rheumatism or injured swelling. In cosmetics, sea silt is mainly used because of its deep cleansing effect on blemished skin, it also promotes blood circulation and provides the skin with important minerals, it has anti-inflammatory and quench itching. Products with Sea Silt Z. B .: "Sea Silt Bandage" by DermaMare (in case of inflammation, swelling, pain), "Cleansing mud mask" by Ahava (with Dead Sea mud), "Ultra Body Cream" by La mer Cuxhaven (with sea silt and caviar extract)
With Seasalt
Salt from the Dead Sea is particularly popular in cosmetics, with about 30 percent of its salt content about ten times as high as all other oceans. The minerals in it, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium and bromine, reduce psoriasis, blemishes, itching, rheumatism, sciatica; Even for migraines, a sea salt bath is recommended. Sensitive and problematic skin is cleansed with a sea salt peel. Products with sea salt Z. B .: "Dead Sea Liquid Bath Bath Elixir" by DermaSel, "Let's circulate" by Origins (Body Massage Soap), "Med MCC3 Sea Salt Cream" by La mer Cuxhaven (for dry skin) Body Scrub: "Sali Esfoliante" by Borghese, "Gommage aux huiles essentielles" by orlane For the hands: "Dead Sea Salt Hand Cream Pure" by DermaSel
Hotels that offer original Thalasso
At the Baltic Sea: "Hotel Neptun", Seestrasse 19, 18119 Rostock-Warnemünde, Tel. 03 81 / 777-0, www.hotel-neptun.de
060 02/307 06 32, //resorts.a-rosa.de "Grand Spa Resort A-Rosa Travemünde"
At the North Sea: "Badhotel Sternhagen", Cuxhavener Strasse 86, 27476 Cuxhaven, Tel. 047 21 / 434-0, www.badhotel-sternhagen.de
Abroad: Most of the original Thalasso centers are in France, especially in Brittany. But Tunisia also has a large number of high-class houses. Information about Thalasso in France at the Maison de la France, Zeppelinallee 37, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Tel. 09 00/157 00 25 (0.49 Euro / min from the German landline), //de.franceguide.com
A list of all Thalasso Centers in Tunisia can be found on the website of the Tourist Office Tunisia in Germany at www.tunesien.info/activities/thalasso
