The Spa Encyclopedia: A Guide to Treatments & Their Benefits for Health & Healing [Paperback]

Hannelore R. Leavy (Author), Ph.D. Reinhard R. Bergel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1562538683 | ISBN-13: 978-1562538682 | Publication Date: April 8, 2002 | Edition: 1

For advanced courses in spa management, holistic health, or as a special course in massage programs, the authors give a "whole body" approach to various spa treatments not found in any other book. The Spa explains a variety of spa treatments and describes their therapeutic effects on the mind and body of the client. Each treatment description lists contraindications and equipment needed, and guides professionals and clients step-by-step through procedures. Health care students interested in mind/body connection and alternative therapies will find the book useful in understanding the specifics of spa treatments, including benefits and cautions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Milady; 1 edition (April 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562538683
• ISBN-13: 978-1562538682
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,116,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars disappointed, July 22, 2005

By 

mel "mel" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spa Encyclopedia: A Guide to Treatments & Their Benefits for Health & Healing (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a refresher for past training and hoping to find some new ideas. A lot of this book relates to more European spa equipment, including Kneipp baths, and includes treatments like 'put on cold wet socks and wait until they are warm'.

Some of the standard American spa treatments have better descriptions, but even so, they are lacking eg contraindications for seaweed wrap: none - erm no, there are actually quite a few, starting with iodine sensitive individuals.

Some of the instructions are the fastest and most efficient way to do something (dry skin brushing with client standing before they get on the table) but not the American standard, more luxurious method of having the client on the table, draped, and working an area then covering.

Section I, The World of Spa, is informative, but Section II, The Treatments, are a bit hit and miss, and as these make up the bulk of the book......


The book is filled out with a colour directory of 2002 spas - that's getting a bit old now.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor choice all around., April 15, 2008

By 

J. Madison (Deptford, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Spa Encyclopedia: A Guide to Treatments & Their Benefits for Health & Healing (Paperback)

This book is not good as a text books for spa treatment classes nor for self study in treatment protocols. I am massage therapist who has a worked in and managed a spa, and I teach classes at a local healing arts school. I had purchased the book looking to expand our spa treatment class for our students in the massage therapy program. I would not suggest this book to anyone.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Far from an "encyclopedia", April 27, 2007

By 

Heather "Here To Help" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Spa Encyclopedia: A Guide to Treatments & Their Benefits for Health & Healing (Paperback)

For an "encyclopedia" this book is severly lacking in detail and coverage on the subject. This is a thin book that gives very short descriptions of a limited number of treatments. Many very common and popular spa treatments are not even included, while other obscure and non-existent in most spas found their way into the book. If you're looking for information on what is done during many of the common spa treatments used today and what their benefits are I do not suggest this book. I was very disappointed.