This document provides information about a Vichy salt scrub contrast treatment, which combines three modalities: a Vichy shower with multiple shower heads, a sea salt body scrub, and a hot/cold water contrast therapy. It defines each modality, explains the general rules and protocol for the treatment, and provides a bibliography and glossary of terms. The treatment aims to exfoliate the skin, improve circulation, stimulate the lymphatic and immune systems, and provide a relaxing experience for the client.

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The Vichy Salt Scrub Contrast Treatment
An Amazing, Relaxing, and Therapeutic Spa Therapy
By Jo Ann Fenstermacher
C.I.D.E.S.C.O Candidate # 09045.07
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
VITA .......4
WHAT IS A VICHY SALT SCRUB CONTRAST TREATMENT? ..............5
GENERAL RULES FOR THE VICHY SALT SCRUB CONTRAST THERAPY: .........6
PROTOCOL FOR THE VICHY SALT SCRUB CONTRAST THERAPY.....................8
BIBLIOGRAPHY......... ........... 15
GLOSSARY OF TERMS............... ........... 16
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VITA
After I graduated from the University of South Florida with my Bachelor of Arts in
sociology, I entered the highly stressful criminal justice system as a probation officer. I initially
enjoyed my time in that position, and I worked countless hours day and night, making sure all my
paperwork was compleied, and all of my fieldwork was current. During this time, I felt that
everything in my life was going smoothly. Then, one day I had an abdominal pain that would not
go away. After a trip to the doctor, I was given the honible news that I had Stage I endometrial
cancer. At the age of 28, I felt that my life was going to be cut short just when I had begun to hit
my stride.
For the next year, I was subjected to body-altering and painful hormonal therapies and
surgeries. I gained a great deal of weight from the medications that were prescribed to me and the
procedures I had to endure. It was during this time thatlrealized I wanted to work as a body
therapist. After a year of cold, clinical procedures, I felt sad and detached by the lack of warmth
with which I was treated. I believed that by working as a body therapist, I could offer my clients a
compassionate touch without judgment - a luxury that was not afforded to me.
I have been working for almost 10 years as a spa body therapist /esthetician. Each time a
guest allows me to place my hands on him or her, I consider it an honor, a trust I would never
breach by being judgmental. Out of the five senses, touch is the most powerful.
As a sociology major, I am aware that there are numerous groups of people, and how
these different groups judge each other. It is not uncommon for the voluptuous Midwestern to be
self-conscious of her body when she sees the Florida woman in her bikini. As a body therapist, it
is in my heart to remind all women who come to me that they are beautiful, and I will never judge
them. My sole purpose is to furnish them with body therapies that will provide them with comfort
and wellness.
I am often looked at as a "woman who has let herself go." fn no way do I see myself as a
sloppy woman. I see myself as a vivacious woman who loves her life and her work. I am a
survivor. I am proud to be a survivor.
Because of my life experience, I have learned how to touch people without judgment. In
return, they allow me to work on them. I consider this giving of themselves as a gift. I feel sorry
for those who are critical of others. Believe me, the guests know when they are being judged.
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4. WHAT IS A VICHY SALT SCRUB CONTRAST THERAPY?
Let's break this down into 3 sections:
1. Vichy Shower
2. Salt Scrub
3. Contrast Treatment (Hot/Cold)
PART 1
The word "vichy' comes from a town in central France (south of Paris) that was
noted for its mineral hot springs.lr; "Vichy" is still used in conjunction with water
treatments. A vichy shower consists of five shower heads that massage you while you are
lying down on a table. tzl This treatment is not for modest individual. You can be in
disposables but most often you are simply draped in small towels.
PART 2
The salt scrub has become one of the most popular body treatments at spas across
America today. Sea salts are combined with aromatic essential oils, which help exfoliate
a buildup of dead skin and allow better hydration. Treatment is suitable for those with
poor blood circulation. It is also recommended as preventive measure and for those
following detoxification programs. t:l Salt scrubs are wonderful before a massage, body
wrap, or any other spa therapies. The salt exfoliates the dead skin, and the warmth of the
water makes the tissue pliable.
PART 3
A contrast treatment is a hot/cold water therapy that is performed after a salt
scrub. While the cold water stimulates and the hot water relaxes, together they activate
the Hydrostatic Pressure in the body. 1+; Hydrostatic Pressure reflects the force of water
pressure that is applied to the entire body. The force is even throughout the body and is
responsible for facilitating lymphatic drainage. Hydrostatic pressure magnifies the hydro-
massage effect by using water jets as well as manual manipulation by the hands. Simply
put, when massaging the lower calves, the effect on the return circulation is stimulated up
to the knee. When working the inner knees, the effects are felt up to the inguinal nodes of
the groin area. (s)
The hot/cold water is a form of hydrotherapy. Warm or hot water has a relaxing
effect; cold water reduces inflammation; and alternating hot and cold water acts to
stimulate the circulatory system. Water may also stimulate the immune system. The cold
creates vasoconstriction, causing the blood vessels to narrow. The heat creates
vasodilatation causing the blood vessels to widen and relax. In a way, this back and forth
reaction is like a natural jump-start for the immune system. It is important to end with the
cold water because the body will naturally respond to the stimulus, and body will return
to its normal temperature. This is referred to as homeostasis.
Together, all three of these modalities work together to provide the guest with a
treatment that not only gives great skin, but a health benefit as well.
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GENERAL RULES FOR THE VICHY SALT SCRUB CONTRAST THERAPY:
,
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D. Undiagnosed inflammation, swelling or sunburn
E. Skin diseases
F. Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), decrease function in
normal circulation
- G. Exopthalmis goiter
.- H. Nephritis or kidney disease
'- I. Respiratory disorders
2. Always adapt the treatment to the individual (not the other way around). The
procedures outlined are to be used as guidelines.
3. Have the client void before teatment begins.
: 4. Stay with the client during freatment.
.^ 5. Describe the treatment to the client before beginning so they understand what to
expect.
6. Make sure the room is draft-free, clean and calm. All equipment should be
sanitary and in working condition. Each guest should have clean towels and
sheets.
: 7. Avoid chilling the guest after treatment.
t_ 8. When using cold temperature, water should be as cold as the guest can tolerate.
9. Warm temperatures should be as warm as possible within the guest's tolerance
level. Excessive heat can be debilitating.
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The goal is to achieve a positive change. Too much stimulation can overtax,
damage or comprise the condition.
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11. Inquire about comfort level during treatment but keep conversation to a minimum.
12. Watch for discomfort and/or negative reactions to the treatment.
13. Stop the freatrnent if a negative reaction occurs. Treat accordingly.
14. No texting or use of electronic equipment in the shower (you would be surprised).
15. Small children and infants cannot be in the room with the parent.
16. No heavy meals or alcohol at least 90 minutes before water therapy.
17. No make-up orjewelry. If possible, please leave jewelry behind in a safe place.
18. Stay in control of this freatment. Often people will say, "The hotter the better" and
refuse the cold water portion of the vichy. Without the hot/cold combination it is
easy to over heat the body.
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PROTOCOL FOR THE VICHY SALT SCRUB CONTRAST THERAPY
Stimulating, restorative and immune enhancing is a wonderful way to describe
this spa therapy. It leaves the skin with a healthy glow. Beginning with a consultation and
introduction, explain the therapy and ensure the client that you will be with them
throughout the duration of the water therapy. Even though you provide the guest with a
shower cap, it is essential to left them know that their hair and face will get wet. Make
sure the table is pre-set with towels before you escort the guest to the wet room.
Products used: Dead Sea salt
The appropriate aromatherapy for the guest
Massage oil
Body hydration oil
Take 2 cups of Dead Sea Salt and massage oil to make a paste.
If possible, heating the scrub provides a wafln sensation for the guest.
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Starting the guest supine on the table, drape the towels snugly over sensitive parts
of the body.
At this point, it is extremely important to understand that the guest is allowing
you to enter her personal space. Touch without out judgment is essential. Many women
are sensitive about their body types, scars or other physical traumas that have occurred in
their lives. Many people have emotional wounds that have never healed. Understand that
compassion is mandatory. At first, it is not unusual for the guest to feel vulnerable. It is
up to the therapist to make her feel at ease.
Next, you can either spritz the guest with warm water or apply wann towels to the
body. This warmth prepares the body for the scrub. Apply the salt paste in a circular
motion. Begin with the feet and legs working up to the arm. After both sides are
completed, proceed to the abdomen and chest areas. Always be careful not to splash the
guest with the salt paste.
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Place a body towel over the guest and remove the draping. Grab the edge of the towel and
lift it up in front of your face allowing the guest to turn over. The guest needs to be in the
prone position now. When ready, place the towel over the guest and place a drape over
the center of the glutes allowing the hips to still be exposed.
Starting with the feet, work your way toward the back. If the guest has ticklish
feet, please be kind! Make sure the whole back is covered.
It is important to remember that we always want to move up the body toward the
heart.
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Now it is time to warm the water up in the shower. Make sure the vichy is away
from the guest. Keep one vichy jet open until the water is warm enough to begin.
Once the water has been warmed up, place the open jets over the guest. Before
opening the rest of the jets, check to make sure that the water is at a comfortable
temperature.
While the warm water is on, gently
sure the salt is dissolving. The force of the
the body. It also feels great for the client to
to the jets.
run your hand on the client's skin to make
water will also dissolve the salt on the front of
raise the back of the leg so the feet are closer
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11. Next, use the hose for a massaging sensation with the water. This also helps with
removing any salts left behind.
Now it is time for the hot cold confrast. This takes approximately 20 minutes. The
protocol is as follows:
1. Warm to hot for 6 minutes
2. Cold for 10 seconds
3. Turn back to hot for 5 minutes
4. Cold for 15 seconds
5. Hot for 4 minutes
6. Cold for 20 seconds
7. Hot for 3 minutes
8. Cold for 30 seconds
9. Hot for 2 minutes
10. Cold for 45 seconds
11. Hot for 1 minute
12. Cold for I minute
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For the more seasoned spa guest, they will often want to go from hot to cold.
However, because this therapy is new to many favelers, we integrate the cold water
while leaving the warm water on. If they start to enjoy the sensation, then we will
completely remove the hot water and have only cold water. As mentioned before, we
must stay within the comfort zone of the guest.
Always end with cold water. Due to homeostasis, our bodies will return to normal body
heat.
After the confrast is completed, push the bar aside and turn off the water. Place a
dry towel over the guest and remove the wet draping. Have the guest raise her pelvis and
roll the wet towels and plastic out from under the guest and onto the floor.
Using a body lotion that is appropriate for your guest's skin type, start massaging
from the feet and work your way up the body. Apply a breast drape and massage the
abdominals. Afterwards, cover the stomach and massage the arms.
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Bend knees and massage lotion behind the legs and assist guest up and
work lotion into back. At this time, bring the guest's shoes over to the table and
hold up her robe so she can back into it.
This is a great time for the guest to talk about what she is feeling. A hug after this
treatment is also not uncommon. Escort the guest back to the lounge and make sure she
drinks plenty of water.
Alcohol is not advised after this treatment. Due to the increased circulation, the
effects of the alcohol will hit the guest twice as strong, twice as fast. Water, rest, and a
light meal are all perfect after the Vichy Salt Scrub Contrast Treatment.
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14. BIBLIOGRAPHY
( 1
) AudioEnglish. net, http : //www. audioengli sh. net/dictionary/vichy. htm
(2) Snymann, Adri, What is a Vichy Shower?,
http ://www.helium.com/items/588488-what-is-a-vichy-shower, accessed
1010612009
(3) Shine, Veronica, What is a Salt Glow? ,
http://www.helium. com/items/559940-what-is-a-salt- glow, accessed
1,010612009
(4) Schulze, Richard, MD, Total Health Newsletter November 1998. Volume 1.
Number 9. http ://healingtools. tripod. com/thn9. html, accessed I 0 I 0 6 I 2009
(5) Fryda, Dan, AP, Hydrotherapy - Therapeutic Properties, Spa Technologies
Training Manual, Page 20
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Homeostasis - Relative uniformity of the normal body's internal environment.
(Mosby Structure & Function of the Body, Eleventh Edition, by
Thibodeau & Patton, Page 12.)
Homeostatic mechanism - A system that maintains a constant environment,
enabling body cells to function effectively.
(Mosby Structure & Function of the Body, Eleventh Edilion, by
Thibodeau & Patton, Page G-14.)
Hydrotherapy - Water therapy is as old as the human race. One of the first
recorded mentions of the use of water as medicine involves the temples of the
Greek God of medicine, Aesculapius. Water's three forms (liquid, steam & ice)
allow for its use in avariety of tempdratures. The effects of water are primarily
reflective and focused on the autonomic nervous system. In general, cold
stimulates sympathetic responses and warm activates parasympathetic responses.
Short and long term applications differ. For the most part, short, cold applications
stimulate and vasocinstrict with a secondary effect of increased circulation as
blood channeled to the area to warm it. Long cold applications depress and
decrease circulation. Short applications of heat vasodialiate vessels and deplete
tone; whereas long, hot applications result in a combined depressant and stimulant
reaction. Types of Application for hydrotherapy include:
. Local Heat/Local Cold
' Sponging
. Tonic Friction
. Baths
. Compresses
. Showers
. Shampoo
. Steam
. Sauna
Water temperatures include (Degrees in Fahrenheit):
Very Cold 32" to 56" Painful
Cold 56o to 65o Uncomfortable
Cool 65o to 92" Goose Flesh
Neutral 92o to 98" Skin Temperature
Warm to Hot 98o to 104o Comfortable
very Hot l04o to 110o Red skin
Temperatures higher than 110" should not be used.
(Mosby's Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage, Second Edition
by Sandy Fritz, Pages 471 to 474)
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