Online Class: Therapeutic Bathing

No curriculum in natural or alternative healthcare, herbal medicine, homeopathy or holistic healing is complete without an introduction to the surprisingly broad subject of Therapeutic Bathing.
Self-Paced, Online Class
Library Subscription
 
  • 8
    Lessons
  • 9
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 3
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.3
    CEUs
  •  
    Video Audit
    Available
 
 

Course Description

The Revitalizing World of Therapeutic Bathing

Unveil the secrets of turning a simple bathing routine into a rejuvenating and holistic health experience with an array of products and intricate techniques.

In the vast world of natural and alternative healthcare, it’s crucial not to overlook one of the most ancient, yet constantly evolving, practices: Therapeutic Bathing. While our modern perception of a therapeutic bath might be confined to a quick dip in hot water with a dash of lavender oil, history narrates a much richer tapestry. Legendary civilizations, from the ancient Romans and Greeks to the Chinese, Egyptians, and societies of the Middle East, have bequeathed us with profound knowledge on the art and science of bathing for holistic well-being.

Today's health enthusiasts, guided by centuries-old wisdom, are rediscovering the myriad ways to elevate the bathing experience. This course delves into these intricacies, showcasing how you can derive enhanced pleasure and holistic benefits from every soak. As we navigate through the lessons, you'll grasp the significance of minerals and heat in baths, learning how to emulate the therapeutic essence of mineral-rich hot springs within the comfort of your home.

The world of aromatherapy awaits your discovery. Beyond just understanding its soothing essence, you'll be equipped with exclusive recipes to craft your aromatherapy soaps and invigorating bath fizzes. Ever wondered about the optimum water temperature to alleviate muscle soreness or to harness the potent qualities of herbs optimally? Such intriguing facets and much more lie in store, as you dive deep into the curative domain of therapeutic bathing.

Course Outline:

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Therapeutic Bathing
    Unravel the history and foundational concepts of therapeutic bathing across cultures.

  • Lesson 2: The Basics of Bathing
    Understand the fundamental principles of a rejuvenating bath, setting the stage for advanced techniques.

  • Lesson 3: Mineral and Thermal Baths
    Explore the therapeutic properties of mineral-infused baths and the magic of thermal soaking.

  • Lesson 4: Aromatherapy
    Dive into the fragrant world of essential oils, grasping their myriad benefits and applications in baths.

  • Lesson 5: Aromatherapy Soap
    Learn to create your aromatic soaps, infused with the goodness of essential oils.

  • Lesson 6: Body Brushing
    Uncover the skin-rejuvenating technique of body brushing, enhancing circulation and exfoliation.

  • Lesson 7: Steam Baths & Building Your Own Steam Room
    Step into the world of steam baths, understanding their advantages and even learning how to set up a personal steam room.

  • Lesson 8: Moisturizing & Detox Baths
    Delve into the techniques of hydration-focused baths, coupled with detoxification practices that cleanse both the body and mind.

With the world moving at an ever-accelerating pace, it's essential to find moments of solace and rejuvenation. Therapeutic bathing offers a sanctuary of relaxation, healing, and a profound connection to ancient wisdom. By enrolling in this comprehensive course, you’re not just learning to bathe but to heal, relax, and revitalize your entire being. Dive into this oasis of knowledge and transform your bathing rituals into a fountain of wellness and tranquility.

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Course Motivation

Therapeutic baths are baths intended to provide some type of health benefit beyond the hygienic. Whether a hot water soak in a bathtub with medicinal herbs or a Jacuzzi soak to soothe aching muscles, therapeutic baths have changed little over the centuries during which they've been used. At some points in history, they've been closely aligned with the practice of medicine. In modern America, it's more of a fringe practice or a recreational one…for now. As more people turn to natural remedies and other alternatives to pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine, however, practices that come from herbal traditions are gaining a foothold with growing numbers of people.

 

The practice of bathing as a therapeutic activity has a long history, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese and The Middle east.

 

The ancient Greeks celebrated the practice of bathing with hot tubs and a form of hot-air bath known as laconica. They reveled in olive oil's moisturizing and healing benefits, slathering it on their skin. Their enjoyment of therapeutic bathing was widespread…in fact, its practice was so celebrated by the Greeks that it soon caught on with the Romans as well.

 

Romans selected lavender as their bathing scent of choice for its relaxing properties as well as its ability to relieve depression and inspire mental clarity. Roman baths were extremely popular and treated as an important social activity. They built ornate baths at the sites of natural mineral springs to facilitate easier, more enjoyable use of the baths.

 

The Egyptians eschewed the use of soap as we know it today. Their preference was for a concoction of lime, oil and natural scents. They also enjoyed baths of milk and honey for smooth skin. The bath was considered a sacred ritual intended to simultaneously purify the body and the soul.

 

Romans, Greeks and Middle Easterners added things like citrus peel, roses, lavender and other herbs to their baths. Some people in the Middle East have continued the tradition of public baths into modern times, and they've changed little over the centuries.

 

Ancient Chinese bathing traditions relied on ginger for its detoxification benefits, curative properties and boost to virility. Asia's rich tradition of therapeutic bathing originated a number of practices that continue today. The Japanese utilized green tea as a soothing, relaxing ingredient in their luxurious, specially designed soaking tubs. Green tea is touted today as an increasingly popular tonic for a variety of ailments and to maintain vigorous health.
 

 

Israelis travel to the Dead Sea for its natural healing salt content to cure psoriasis and a variety of skin conditions. Natives of Iceland enjoy the local volcanic hot springs.

 

During the 16th Century, medicine developed a lasting interest in water's ability to cure or alleviate a wide range of illnesses. Bathing-related cures were developed for skin and joint disorders, strokes and gastrointestinal ailments. This medical stamp of approval gave rise to European nobility's "spa trips" to places such as Aachen, Germany. It remained trendy for wealthy Europeans to travel for the purposes of therapeutic bathing in the 1800s. The practice, of course, was as much a social exercise as a medical one. The town of Aachen eventually helped to popularize steam baths, bathing showers and single baths.

 

Many of the ancient peoples' traditions described thus far are still alive today and have evolved to inspire many generations of healing bathing rituals. Millions of people around the world revel in mineral baths and other forms of therapeutic bathing, whether they travel to enjoy exotic locations or create at-home versions they can enjoy privately and at their convenience.

 

Therapeutic bathing allows you to benefit from organic herbal remedies for the purposes of beauty, body detoxification, pain relief, mental clarity, spiritual pursuits, stress reduction and more. The requirements are fairly simple: a bathtub and a few affordable, accessible ingredients.

 

Water alone holds therapeutic benefits--particularly when it's warm. It can also be helpful due to its weight and pressure. Those who suffer from strain on joints and muscles find relief in their buoyancy in pools and baths. Warm water can relax muscles, ease stress and help us unwind from our hectic lives. 

Some modern proponents of the practice use the term hydrotherapy. The practice encompasses the full spectrum of uses of water for healing, whether in natural thermal springs or man-made pools. There are benefits to be derived from steam baths, hot and cold soaks, wraps, and both full and partial immersion.

 

The spiritual aspect of therapeutic bathing has played an integral role in its use. Patron saints and other deities have arisen from natural thermal pools. These natural sites have been enshrined and surrounded by as many temples as health retreats through the ages. The very word "spa" comes from Emperor Nero's phrase "Sanitas Per Aquas," meaning "health through water."

 

It seems the ancients were onto something. All these ages later, we have learned the following benefits that support their use of therapeutic baths. They are now known to:

· Increase circulation

· Soften connective tissue

· Decrease joint pain

· Relieve muscle spasms

· Alleviate cramps

· Resolve skin rashes, blemishes and edema

· Stimulate detoxification of cells

· Reduce stress

· Stimulate the immune system

· Promote relaxation and recovery
 
In this course, you'll learn many techniques for making your own bathing rituals a soothing, therapeutic experience. Perhaps you'll begin with a standard hot soak, and then you can choose to add essential oils, soothing mineral salts or aromatherapy soap to enhance the experience and increase your therapeutic benefit. First, we'll start with the basics.
Areas of Study
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.6 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(2,098 votes)

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Therapeutic Bathing

    Therapeutic baths are baths intended to provide some type of health benefit beyond the hygienic.

  • Lesson 2: The Basics of Bathing

    This lesson will give you a beginning understanding of the healing benefits of the therapeutic bath in several forms.

  • Lesson 3: Mineral and Thermal Baths

    This lesson describes how mineral and thermal bathing have yielded significant results for centuries for people around the world.

  • Lesson 4: Aromatherapy

    Aromatherapy is about more than just pretty scents. In this lesson, you'll learn how to harness the powers of essential oils to turn your bath into a healing experience.

  • Lesson 5: Aromatherapy Soap

    You'll learn from this lesson that soaps are about more than just getting you clean--they can be a healthy, aromatic way to enhance the benefits of a healing bath.

  • Lesson 6: Body Brushing

    In this lesson, you'll learn how to improve circulation & skin's appearance with a natural technique called body brushing.

  • Lesson 7: Steam Baths & Building Your Own Steam Room

    In this lesson, you'll learn how to build your own in-home steam room for health and relaxation.

  • Lesson 8: Moisturizing & Detox Baths

    Learn a handful of "recipes" for moisturizing the skin and detoxing the body for optimal health.
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Summarize the basics of bathing.
  • Describe mineral and thermal baths.
  • Describe aromatherapy.
  • Describe aromatherapy soap.
  • Describe body brushing.
  • Describe steam baths and building your own steam room.
  • Describe moisturizing and detox baths.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Therapeutic Bathing
Course Number: 7550135
Lessons Rating: 4.6 / 5 Stars (2,098 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
Last Updated: October 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.3 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Cathleen Chouinard
Syllabus: View Syllabus

Student Testimonials

  • "This course is amazing. I love all of the helpful information. I have learned so much about this topic." -- Latoya B.
  • "I've already started to apply what I learned in this course and am pleased with the results. Thank you to the instructor!" -- Mary R.
  • "This course has been one of my favorite course that I have elected to take through UniversalClass, it was very detailed and informative. I learned so much and enjoyed doing it!" -- Carrye W.
  • "This was great fun! I am a bather for sure, and I loved getting to know what I was doing for myself, and how to grow the impact that my bathing has on my overall health." -- Isabel K.
  • "Taking the course gave me the opportunity want to try holistic healing treatments for not myself but to think about maybe do it as a profession." -- Lynn B.
  • "I very much enjoyed the class and found it helpful and easy to follow." -- Sophia S.
  • "Class was great. Information was well organized and fun. Loved it." -- Marci S.
  • "Both course and instructor was great." -- Teresa W.
  • "The instructor was knowledgeable and available." -- Candice L.
  • "What was most helpful was the actual hands on. The baths, body brushing. Very nice experiences." -- Candice L.
View More Testimonials...
 

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