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| caldarium | The hottest room in a Roman bath, where the ancient Romans would bathe in steaming water for detoxification purposes. Modern-day spa caldaria may not have a pool of hot water, but they all utilize the detoxifying power of steam heat. |
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| capoeira | Combination of acrobatics, dance, boxing, and martial arts invented by Brazilian slaves. Widely played in South America and gaining popularity in the United States. |
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| casino spas | Spas with a casino on premises. These spas tend to be luxury-oriented and often do not admit guests under 18 years of age. |
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| caudal | toward the posterior end of the body. |
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| cellulite | Deposits of lumpy fat and fibrous tissue that cause dimpling of the skin in the thighs, hips, and buttocks of some women. |
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| centering | The ability to focus on a specific circumstance. |
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| chakra | Ayurvedic term for energy "center." It is believed that there are seven chakras, which are all interconnected and which must be balanced |
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| chelation therapy | It is a non-surgical procedure for removing toxins, metabolic wastes, and undesirable heavy metals from the body by introducing ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) into the bloodstream. Oftentimes chelation therapy is used to prevent heart attacks or to reverse the problems of degenerative diseases caused by diminished blood circulation. |
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| chiropractic | The nervous system plays a major role in maintaining a state of balance and optimal health. Through manual manipulation of bones and associated muscles and joints (particularly of the spine and extremities) a Doctor of Chiropractic will work to detect and correct subluxations (misalignments of bone, or aberrant joint mechanics), restoring the flow of nerve impulses throughout the body and improving the function of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system. |
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| chronic pain | pain that persists or reoccurs for indefinite periods. |
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| circuit training | Exercise plan utilizing six to ten exercises that are completed one after another on weight-resistance equipment to increase mobility, strength, and stamina. Each exercise is performed for a certain number of repetitions. |
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| city hotel or urban spas | Located in metropolitan hotels, some of these spas are open only to hotel guests, while others are accessible to the general public |
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| clavicle | medical for collar bone:
A collar bone is a bone between the shoulder and the neck on each side of the body. |
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| cold plunge | A circulation-stimulating pool of frigid water designed to be used in conjunction with sauna or steam room sessions. |
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| collagen therapy | Injection of collagen beneath the skin with a fine needle to fill out wrinkles and lines. |
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| colonic | Intense water irrigation of the entire colon, intended to release trapped impurities and prevent the recycling of toxins into the bloodstream. |
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| color therapy/chromatherapy | Use of color to balance mental and spiritual health through the use of colored rooms, light bulbs, fabrics, etc. The technique dates back to ancient Egypt. |
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| complementary medicine | Treatments and therapies used in conjunction with traditional medicine. Alternative medicine, in contrast, replaces traditional therapies. |
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| compression stroke | The most basic stroke in massage and Shiatsu is compression, and can be performed on yourself or a partner. Compression increases blood flow to the area being worked on and allows muscle fibers to be spread, making the muscle more pliable. Using the palm of your hand, slowly exert pressure down on the muscle. When compressing your own muscle be creative and pretend you are making pizza dough. Feel the compression stroke. Compression is useful to effectively loosen and relax muscles after training or competition. |
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| connective tissue | The most abundant tissue of the body. Its functions include support, structure, space, stabilization, and scar formation. |
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| contraindication | Any condition that renders a particular treatment improper or undesirable. |
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| cosmeceuticals or cosmaceuticals | Topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical combinations intended to improve the health and appearance of skin. |
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| craniosacral therapy | The CranioSacral System is a closed hydraulic physiological system consisting of the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, cranial dural membrane, cranial bones and sacrum. A CranioSacral therapist will endeavor to detect and correct subtle imbalances through gentle, hands-on manipulation. |
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| cranio-sacral therapy | Treatment that focuses on the connection between the skull and the base of the spine along the spinal column. The therapist's palpitations in those areas are said to release blockages in the circulation of the cerebral-spinal fluid and allow it to flow more freely. |
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| crystal therapy | The therapeutic use of quartz crystals or gem-stones to promote healing. Like the human body, crystals have electromagnetic energy and they emit vibrations. They are used in various ways to interact with the energy flow in and around the human body to promote better health. |
