While hydrothermal bathing seems more popular than ever right now—with ice baths and cryotherapy filling our social media feeds—it’s worth remembering that people have been harnessing the cleansing and healing power of water and thermotherapy (hot/cold contrast) for thousands of years. In ancient times, access to the luxury of water and heat was incredibly difficult, prompting cultures the world over to find creative ways to bring “hydro” (water) and “thermal” (hot/cold) to their people.
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While hydrothermal bathing seems more popular than ever right now—with ice baths and cryotherapy filling our social media feeds—it’s worth remembering that people have been harnessing the cleansing and healing power of water and thermotherapy (hot/cold contrast) for thousands of years. In ancient times, access to the luxury of water and heat was incredibly difficult, prompting cultures the world over to find creative ways to bring “hydro” (water) and “thermal” (hot/cold) to their people.
This explains why there are so many different types of bathhouses found throughout the globe; from Roman baths and Turkish hammams to Korean day spas and Japanese onsens, virtually every culture has their own interpretation of a bathhouse.
Natural hot springs sites seem almost purpose-designed for this need. The geothermally warmed waters that bubble up from the earth’s core not only serve to cleanse, but “taking the waters” is also believed to improve certain skin conditions and relieve pain from arthritis and other musculoskeletal ailments. As far back as the 7th century B.C., there are mentions of a “spring which contains sulfur to treat disease” in Chinese history books.
The heat, hygiene and social bonding of communal bathing combined to create almost miraculous results to our forebearers. Even fertility was seemingly improved: In the 1700s, an “infertile” Queen Mary took the waters at the thermal springs in Bath, England, and 10 months later gave birth to a son.
In addition to health benefits, there is also the simple concept of thermal pleasure, the feeling a person experiences when moving from a place where the temperature has eventually made them uncomfortable to one where the contrasting temperature brings immediate relief and an almost euphoric feeling. The rise in popularity of extreme contrast bathing can be tied both to this unique feeling and the undeniable wellness benefits it delivers.
Let’s take a look at some of the more popular thermotherapy (heat) experiences we see today.
Finnish Sauna
With heat being a prized resource in freezing Finland, the invention of the sauna was inevitable. Finns figured out early on how to heat a wooden cabin to the highest temperatures possible and began practicing what we now call hot/cold contrast therapy.
The sauna’s 200°F heat made occupants exceedingly hot, causing blood to flow and, we now know, simulating the effects of a light cardio workout. People would leave the cabin sweating profusely and then roll in the snow to clean the sweat and dirt from their skin, repeating several times as needed to get clean.
The practical reason for diving into the snow was because running water was in short supply during the north’s frozen winters, but the result was a cleansing and detoxifying ritual that is valued to this day. It has been proven to improve the immune system and even manage blood pressure.¹ Such saunas are still an integral part of hydrothermal bathing today.
Related: How to Incorporate Hot and Cold Therapy into Your Spa
Russian Banya
The whole of frozen northern Europe invented forms of bathing like that of Finland, and the Russian banya is almost identical in design and purpose. The phrase literally translates to “Russian bathhouse,” but the term has been adopted to refer to the sauna-like room within. Compared to a Finnish sauna, it can have higher rates of humidity.
To improve circulation, bathers are encouraged to hit themselves or another person with veniks, bunches of dried branches and leaves from white birch, oak or eucalyptus trees. In addition, there is usually an antechamber next to the banya for socializing, playing games and enjoying refreshments.
Temazcal
On the American continent, there is early evidence of sweating as a form of cleansing, often including the use of aromatic herbs and flowers—or aromatherapy as it’s known today). The Aztec tribes were particularly influential in their creation of two-story wattle and daub sweat rooms.
In Mexico, the temazcal (or sweat lodge) is another example of thermal bathing, and wellness seekers are still visiting to this day. An excellent example of a Mayan steam room resides at the Chechen Itza site in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsular.
Turkish Hammam
During the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire gave rise to the now-famous hammam, or Turkish bath. There is evidence, however, to show this form of bathing predates the Ottomans and was used widely in North Africa and the Middle East even prior to the rise of Islam.
Once again using sweating as a form of cleansing, the traditional hammam became a popular practice before a visit to the mosque. The old hammams of Istanbul boast beautiful interiors, including fantastic examples of traditional Muslim ceramic and mosaic art with inscriptions from the Koran. You can also find fine examples of hammams in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco.
Infrared Cabin
Infrared heat therapy has grown in popularity in recent years, but infrared saunas should not be confused with traditional Finnish saunas. The infrared heat source is easy to work with because it can plug right into the wall, but the rooms don’t get nearly as hot as their more traditional counterparts, typically heating to less than 140°F.
Rather, infrared radiation is able to heat the body without warming the air around it; because of this, it is considered gently therapeutic and able to penetrate the body’s tissues more deeply, treating sore muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Steam Bath
Also known as a caldarium or sudatorium from the time of Roman baths, a steam bath (or steam room) is typically a tiled or stone room that reaches temperatures of around 113°F with 100% humidity. This is created from heated waters in the room itself or, more commonly, pumped into the room using a steam generator. Aromatic extracts of essential oils can be injected concurrently to give the steam bath an added sensory element.
Laconium
Another name from the Roman era, this is a warm ceramic room with a temperature of around 100.4°F, where bathers can relax for long periods of time in comfortable, ergonomically designed benches or individual loungers or chairs. The walls, floors, loungers and benches are heated to enable deep penetration of the warmth to the body, promoting a feeling of well-being and relaxation. Aromas can be introduced via a humidifier to enhance this beneficial treatment and maintain a comfortable atmosphere.
Relaxation Room
Last but not least, this is the coolest of the warm rooms. Also known as tepidariums, these relaxation rooms are more intimate spaces for rest and are essential to any spa. After relaxing in a very hot space like a sauna, bathers need time for their body temperature to equalize; these spaces provide this essential purpose.
Modern Communal Bathing
Saunas and steam rooms may have been derived from an innate need to cleanse the body, but they have evolved into so much more. Hydrothermal areas offer a uniquely pleasurable way to congregate while taking in the therapeutic effects of hot/cold contrast therapy.
The effects of these extreme changes in body temperature do more than simply cleanse; they work the body and mind in incredibly powerful ways, including increasing circulation, releasing tension, giving the body functions a positive jolt and, ultimately, snapping the mind into the present moment.
In the modern world, public bathing has evolved from being a necessity to something that offers spa-goers the chance to take a break from their busy, stressful lifestyles. Even better: Saunas and steam rooms are very inhospitable to phones and devices! 
Cassandra Cavanah is the founder of Cavanah Communications and specializes in spa and wellness PR and marketing. She is also part of the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) team and authored the Guide to Hydrothermal Spa & Wellness Development Standards.
