Table shower (Vichy shower, massage therapy, Scotch hose, hydrotherapy, Swiss shower) is a particular type of table with five to seven rain shower heads above. Many beauty salons and massage spas combine it with a manual massage for your full pleasure.
In most Asian countries, this service includes sexual massage. However, when you decide to visit a beauty salon to look for a table shower in the US, it implies an entirely different thing. Become aware of the health benefits of this magical procedure and try it.
What Is the Table Shower?
A table shower is a construction of five to seven shower heads attached to an extended metal bar reminding me of shower curtain rods. The rod is placed above a waterproof, off-beat table for a massage with drainage for the water. You can choose to enjoy all the benefits of the table shower as a part of hydrotherapy treatment in a specialized spa.
Imagine treatment with a large quantity of approximately 13 US gallons (50 l) of water a minute. Do you want to feel over 100 gallons (378.5 l) of water pouring over your back in ten minutes while lying in a comfortable shallow wet bed? Yes, I am sure you do!
According to your wishes, the therapist will move a bar to focus water on particular parts of your body. In some spas, it is possible to use a handheld shower head for a more extensive experience.
Also, he or she will adjust the temperature of the water and the pattern of movements on your request. The different placement of the jets will provide a perfect treatment with a whole-body water massage.
If it is possible, always ask for this treatment after a body scrub to improve the absorption of products previously rubbed into your skin. However, if you want to get the body massage, the table shower will warm and relax you and prepare your body for complete pleasure.
History of the Table Shower
The exact origin of a table shower is not entirely clear. However, it got its popular name ‘Vichy shower’ after the small town in Central France. It is the place with a long tradition of hydrotherapy.
The legend says that Julius Caesar discovered the therapeutic waters of the springs while trying to conquest ancient Gaul (France). His hard-ridden, exhausted horses drank the Vichy waters and recovered from the fatigue right away.
As soon as the Romans discovered the potential of the thermal springs, they started constructing spas in that area.
By the 16th century, more and more people visited these spas and enjoyed the healing mineral baths. The medieval French royalty and European aristocracy were spending weeks or even months in Vichy looking for curing, relaxation, and enjoyment.
How the Idea of the Modern Table Shower Occurred?
The town Vichy and surrounding area contain five natural mineral springs. When you get there, you can choose different treatment facilities, depending on your needs and preferences.
Their offer includes cold water treatment, carbonate mineral springs, as well as the spring with water reaching the temperatures 105 F (40.5 C). Some excellent additional amenities are also available, including mud cures, mechanical therapy, and oxygen therapy.
You can also drink that water and take a bath or shower. The hosts have also organized bottling and exporting fresh and clean spring water.
These springs are beneficial for patients suffering from liver diseases, problems with gastrointestinal tract, skin diseases, disturbed metabolism, arthritis, rheumatism, paralysis, and gout.
By the 19th century, most people in the western countries heard about the Vichy (table) shower. In the 20th century, table shower offering hydrotherapy and relax massage became well-known in spas and resorts all over the US.
Nowadays, many massage spas and beauty salons worldwide offer Vichy treatments inspired by the design of the Vichy showers. The most popular are Korean, Japanese, and Thai spas. I prefer Japanese table shower combined with a salt scrub spa treatment ‘akasuri.’
One of the best treatments is the body scrub. You can experience it in most Korea spas. If you visit one of them, you will get an excellent massage with coarse mitts rubbing away dead skin from your body.
Moreover, the East Asian massage spas have started advertising a more sensual experience for customers in the US since the beginning of the 2000s.
What Can You Expect During a Table Shower?
You may seek out a massage for various reasons, including healing, stress relief, or just relaxation. A steam shower can bring you all of these benefits, and so can a table shower, in fact.
Depending on the spas, you will enjoy the benefits of the table shower before or after the body massage.
If you use the table shower before the massage, it will ensure enhancing the effect of pleasure. If it comes after the massage, the table shower will help your skin with removing the oil, especially heavily scented ones.
1. What to wear during the treatment
You can always choose to enjoy table shower without any clothes on if the state law doesn’t require the opposite. However, in most cases, people want to keep their privacy by using towels over their bodies. You can use disposable undergarments, as well.
Keep in mind that you need to take a bath thoroughly before lying down on the shower table. The therapist will tell you when to lie down on the back and when it is time to turn over to your stomach.
2. Water temperature
The temperatures during this particular treatment will depend on your preferences. It is possible changing them and getting the sets of hot, cold, and warm water alternately.
If you prefer that way, you can ask for pouring water of different temperatures over your body a few times during the same treatment.
3. The massage room
In most spas, you will get a massage in the private (individual) shower room with the table shower in the center. You can expect to find a clean towel placed on the table before you start the treatment.
Most modern table showers feature a bar with a few shower heads placed above. They will provide a cascading rain effect I love so much. However, there are some spas with a different option. There the therapist uses a handheld shower head for the massage.
4. The procedure
- Washing the back – In most cases, the treatment begins with the water massage of your back. You should lie down on the already wet table face down on it. The therapist will adjust the temperatures of the water to be comfortable in the very beginning. Once you become wet, the therapist will use a loofah to rub the entire backside of your body. As soon as your back is rinsed, you will turn over.
- Turning over – Basically, the therapist will repeat the procedure on the front part of your body, but your face and hair will remain dry. After pure enjoyment, you need to grab a towel and dry off.
- Chakras – In some Asian table showers, the shower heads are designed the way to align with the seven chakras of your body. Every chakra represents one energy center in your spine, and water will stimulate the clearing of your energy field and aura. If you are a fan of this belief, you should try this treatment to help your body get rid of toxins.
5. Luxurious services
More and more massage spas offer luxury treatments such as mud, seaweed, or even chocolate wraps. You can also enjoy sea salt scrubs or the massage with exotic essential oils.
These treatments are an introduction to the table shower, massage, and applying the moisturizing body lotion.
Table Shower Benefits
All of us have heard about the healing benefits of water, but table showers offer something more. Let’s see.
Relaxation
I promise you, once you find yourself under the low water pressure shower head, you will experience an unreal feeling of floating on water. Every time, without exception, I feel relaxed and happy on that table.
In fact, my enjoyment begins as soon as I lie on the table, even before the real massage begins. Thanks to the stimulation of skin nerves, table shower reduces the level of everyday stress.
Can you imagine how relaxing that light rain under the wisely set shower heads can be after the tiring and stressful working day? You will feel your sore muscles relax slowly and gradually.
Since the water is set at the body temperatures, it will be neither too cold nor too hot. However, you can ask for the pressure and temperature adjustment as desired.
Boosting the immunity
Since table shower improves lymphatic circulation, it will boost your immune system efficiently. Also, the gentle massage will encourage the blood flow, which will help the body to get rid of toxins, which is the crucial step in fight infection.
Additionally, increased circulation will help you overcome problems with:
- High blood pressure
- Poor functions of internal organs
- Slow metabolic rate
- Lazy bowel syndrome
Painkiller
By eliminating lymphatic blockage, table shower will nullify the following adverse effects such as:
- Headaches
- Migraine
- Fatigue
- Menstrual cramps
- Depression
- Arthritis
- Cellulite
- Loss of appetite
- Acne
Beauty improvement
Besides being beneficial to your health, table shower will enhance your beauty and vitality in many ways.
- Firms and tone your skin
- Hydrates your skin
- Rejuvenates your face and body
- Facilitates desirable weight loss
- Promotes better night sleep
- Loosens too tight and tired muscles
- Increases the benefits of the face and body creams you use regularly
