In our day-to-day busy lives and a world of increasing career and family demands, economic uncertainty and escalating demands for time, many people have become known with rejuvenating their lives at spas. With thousands of spas across the globe offering numerous treatments, have you ever considered where spas originated?

It is apparently not known exactly where the word spa originates from. There are however two theories about this, one is that spa is an acronym for the Latin phrase, "salus per aquae," or "health through water."

While others believe that the origin of the word comes from the town Spa, in Belgium, which is known for their baths since Roman times. The location was called Aquae Spadanae, perhaps related to the Latin word "spargere" meaning to scatter, sprinkle or moisten. It is speculated that the town was so famous that the very word "spa" became synonymous in the English language with a place to relax and be pampered.

Modern spas have their roots in ancient towns famed for the healing powers of their mineral waters and hot springs. The practice of travelling to hot or cold springs in hopes of effecting a cure of some ailment dates back to pre-historic times. Travelers would come to "take the waters" and restore their health.

Many people around the world believed that bathing in a particular spring, well, or river resulted in physical and spiritual purification. Some of the earliest descriptions of western bathing practices came from Greece. The Greeks began bathing regimens that formed the foundation for modern spa procedures.

The concept of healing through water is also known by plentiful other terms such as taking the waters, spa therapy or hydrotherapy. The meaning of spa has constantly evolved through the ages to accommodate several other types of treatments.

Today, spa treatments can range from wet and dry treatments to wellness therapies and beauty treatments. Water treatments are however, still considered the heart of the spa experience.