Entering the world of spas can raise many questions, but relax! You dont have to know any of the spa terminology to enjoy a relaxing spa holyday. But if your interested or want to feel a bit more secure when entering spa heaven in Budapest we have gathered the most basic spa vocabulary for you.

Balneotherapy
The use of thermal water for medical treatments.

Destination spa
A facility focusing on guiding spa visitors to develop healthy habits. Usually last for one week and focus on programs with different spa services, activities, health & wellness studies, healthy cuisine.

Hydromassage
Using water jets to massage the body with either handheld or fixed underwater. Its like a hydrobath where you are immersed by the bath and lying down in the wather to your neck.

Hydrotherapy
This is a system of water based treatments like:

• massage,
• hot and cold showers,
• plunge pool,
• immersion in mineral baths and jet sprays.

The water temperature, depth, duration of the bathing and the waters mineral content all determins the therapeutic effect. The treatments reliefs muscles and joints pain and stimulate circulation and immune system.

Massage
One of the most usual relaxation treatments. Muscle and soft tissue are stimualted by hand or water jets for circulation improvment, relaxes muscles and reduces stress, stiffness and soothes the body.

Medicinal spa
A bathing establishment that either has recognized medicinal water on site or offers comprehensive therapeutic facilities, such as hydrotherapy, mechanotherapy and electrotherapy.

Medicinal water
Any mineral water with medically proven curative effects. Several years of research are generally required for mineral water to be certified as medicinal in Hungary.

Mineral water
“Water of natural purity with certain dietary effects the source of which has to be in a subterranean and protected water deposit. The content of certain substances must not exceed the indicated limits.”

Resort spa
A resort spa is a facility that offers treatments & services at a vacation destination. Usually they also offer activities like:

• golf,
• tennis,
• water sports,
• skiing,
• riding,

Spa
According to the International Spa Association: “Spas are devoted to enhancing overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body and spirit.”.

Thermal water
Any water emerging from a natural source at a temperature over 30°C.

Sources used for the spa definitions:
European Spas Association
hungary.com