Wellbeing

Therapy of the month: Thalassotherapy

Sea water and fresh air have been used throughout history to treat health conditions, but does it really work as a form of therapy…

Thalassotherapy, the Greek word for ‘sea’ uses seawater, products from the sea such as seaweeds, and the marine environment itself, as a form of therapy. Some of the earliest accounts of thalassotherapy come from ancient civilizations who used seawater to treat a range of ailments. However, it wasn’t until around the mid-1700s, Doctor Richard Russell, a British physician, highlighted the potential benefits of it. Russell concluded that the minerals found in seawater, such as magnesium and other trace elements, could help treat medical conditions, but, scientific evidence was lacking, and the introduction of antibiotics in the mid-20th century meant people were less likely to use thalassotherapy as a medical treatment. It’s only in recent years, now that traditional medical approaches, such as acupuncture, herbalism and homeopathy, have become increasingly popular again, that the therapy is regaining traction. Many people believe that natural alternatives may be more effective and safer, and this renewed interest in alternative medicines has prompted the re-emergence of thalassotherapy. While some people disagree about the effectiveness of magnesium absorption through the skin, compared with oral supplementation, sea bathing has always been thought of as an additional source of magnesium, and it’s also commonly known that salt water is good for treating a variety of conditions, particularly skin problems such as eczema.

On trial

Everything you need to know

Many beauty spas offer sea-based treatments that are rooted in thalassotherapy, such as seaweed wraps, which are thought to draw toxins and excess fluid from the body. While evidence shows that thalassotherapy and related treatments may help with conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism and back pain, there isn’t enough concrete evidence to confirm it. Respiratory problems are also thought to benefit from spending time by the coast. Breathing fresh, clean air has long been associated with good health, and there are countless health service websites that suggest that a good supply of fresh air is beneficial for helping to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. In fact, evidence shows that ocean air helps to clear the lungs of surfers suffering with cystic fibrosis – researchers found that inhaling an intensely salty solution helped to improve lung function and lessen other complications of the disease.

Extract from By the Sea by Dr Deborah Cracknell (Aster) £14.99, octopusbooks.co.uk