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I is for...

Ice cave

Ice fountain

Ice therapy

Indian blossom steam room

Indian head massage

Indonesian massage

Ionithermie

Iridology

Ice cave

A room at a spa, sometimes designed to look like a cave, that's maintained at very low termperature. You step in there to cool off after your sauna or other heat treatment, scooping up handfuls of ice to rub over our skin, and perhaps enjoying a cold shower too. The change in temperature contracts the blood vessels, stimulating blood flow and oxygen intake.


Good for: Cooling down after a steamy treatment.


See also: Arctic shower; Cryotherapy; Ice fountain



Ice fountain

This is a fairly grand name for what is essentially a kind of open ice-making machine. Crushed ice is provided in basins within the spa, so that you can rub handfuls of the stuff over your body to cool you down between heat treatments.

Good for: Giving your circulation a workout and making you appreciate a hot shower.

See also: Arctic shower; Hydrotherapy; Sauna



Ice therapy

Ice packs and ice baths have long been used in sports medicine, as a way of speeding up muscle recovery after vigorous exercise, reducing swelling, soreness and stiffness, and stimulating the elimination of lactic acid.


Spas that offer ice treatment claim that it can tone the skin and promote cell repair. The therapist applies ice cubes to your face, keeping them moving over the skin. It's surprisingly soothing.


Good for: Looking and feeling cool.


See also: Cryotherapy



Indian blossom steam room

Steam infused with eucalyptus or menthol is released around you as you sit in a tiled or wooden-benched room. Jasmine may be blended in with the other aromas. Versions of this treatment include "aroma rooms" or "aroma grottos" in some spas. A tropicarium is also a version of this, as it wafts similar essential oils to clear out your respiratory system. In our experience, they are quite interesting and pleasant but mainly useful when they are done well.

Good for: Clearing out your sinuses and energising or soothing you, depending what's in the steam.

See also: Arctic showers; Aroma room; Heat treatment; Hydrotherapy; Tropicarium



Indian head massage

Also known as Champissage and Shiroabhyanga, this is a therapeutic treatment that has been practised in India for thousands of years, and is incredibly relaxing. Part of the Hindu health care practice of Ayurveda, Indian head massage combines Chakra-cleansing massage with the aromatic power of essential oils and focuses on your head, neck and shoulders. It is a deep massage, which uses a variety of pressure and techniques that tap into your seven chakras (meridians/paths of energy) and encourage healing and balance in your whole body. Happily, it has become a popular component of combined treatments or rituals, including massage and facials.

Good for: Deep, dazing relaxation – the kind that leaves you feeling detached and serene, sighing and wordless; relieving aches, pains and tension in your neck, back and shoulders; improving the texture of your hair and encouraging it to grow; stimulating the flow of blood, lymph and oxygen in your upper body which will clear your sinuses, relieve stress and help you sleep better. And because it can help relieve headaches, eye strain and anxiety, an Indian head massage can even help you to concentrate better at work.

What's more, the use of fragrant oils can stimulate as well as relax you, clearing your head, and soothing you even further. All in all, an Indian head massage will leave you feeling happier and more relaxed all round!

See also: Ayurveda; Champissage; Cranio-sacral therapy; Shirodhara


Read more about Indian Head Massage here



Indonesian massage

A pleasurable combination massage that uses deep tissue massage, acupressure, Ayurveda and aromatherapy, as well as some gentle rocking. Some of the massage is given through cloth, and then oils are smoothed and rubbed into your body. As with Thai massage, you will be relaxed and revived all at the same time.

Good for: Easing very sore muscles; relaxing and reviving.

See also: Ayurveda; Balinese massage; Lomi lomi; Thai massage



Ionithermie

A spa treatment that uses mild electrical currents to work on stimulate the nerves in your body. The therapist will use pen-like instruments to apply very short bursts of current, that tingle a little when applied. It's odd, but not painful. Often a feature in slimming, detoxing and shaping spa treatments.

Good for: Stimulating the lymphatic system to work harder to clean out your toxins. It can also help tighten up the muscles in your "problem areas". It's weird, true, but it can be effective at improving the tone of localised muscle.


See also: Cathiodermie



Iridology

A way of assessing your holistic health by analysing the iris of your eye.

See also: Ayurveda; Hellerwork