What Is A Table Shower?

A table shower, a.k.a. Vichy Shower, is a waterproof table with five to seven shower heads above it. The shower heads are supplied water through a single long tube that arches over the bed. Large amounts of water are showered over the spa patron as they lie in a shallow wet bed similar to a massage table, but with drainage for water. The therapist may also use a shower head wand for a more focused massage. Water pressure and temperature are controlled by a diverter typically located on the side of the bed. Heads can be adjusted independently to change their flow just like a standard shower head. Many beauty and/or massage salons combine table showers with a manual massage for your enjoyment.

Enjoy the table shower as a part of a hydrotherapy treatment, a wet massage or just take a soothing hot shower as you lie down and relax.

Approximately 13 US gallons (50 l) of water are used by the table shower per minute. That’s more than 100 gallons (378.5l) of soothing water pouring over you every 10 minutes while you lie on a comfortable bed. If you have sore spots, therapists can adjust the shower heads to focus water on different parts of your body. They can also adjust the temperature and water flow exactly how you like it. By varying shower head position, temperature and jet settings, table showers provide a wonderful whole body water massage.

Table shower therapy is typically available after a body scrub to improve the absorption of skin products previously rubbed in. You can also pair hydrotherapy with a massage during or after the shower.

Table Showers are also called a Vichy Shower, Massage Therapy, Scotch Hose, Hydrotherapy, Swiss Shower or Asian Showers.

What Happens During A Table Shower?

Table showers are great for healing, stress relief, hydrotherapy, and/or relaxation. They’re a great way to cleanse the body before or after a massage. Temperature controlled water is sprayed over the body massage and cleanse skin while opening pores.

You can enjoy the benefits of a table shower before or after a body massage.

If you use the table shower before the massage, it will enhance the effect. A pre-massage shower relaxes and loosens up tight muscles.
If it comes after the massage, the table shower helps remove oils from the skin.

Preparation For A Table Shower

In most cases, patrons cover their bodies with towels just like a traditional massage. You can use disposable undergarments, as well. But in some locations the table shower can be used while naked.

Most table shower spas require patrons to bathe prior to their session. The table shower is not intended to get you clean, the jets are for massage purposes only.

You will be directed to your shower table where the therapist will tell you whether to lay on your back or on your stomach. From there, the therapist will adjust the jets, pressure, position and temperature. Your hydrotherapy session will begin.

Water Temperature

The table showers water temperature can be adjusted by controls just like a traditional shower. The therapist can adjust from hot, to warm to cold as the need arises based on the therapy your getting.

Depending on the treatment you’ve chosen, gallons of hot, warm or cold water will be sprayed over your body during your treatment. And the temperature can be adjusted mid session at any time if you desire.

The Massage Room

In most spas, you will also get a traditional hand massage either before or after the hydrotherapy session. Expect to find a clean towel placed on the table before you begin the treatment.

Most modern table showers feature a bar connected to several shower heads placed above the table. They provide a wonderful rain effect all over your body.

Some spas also provide a handheld shower head the therapist can use to spot massage various parts of the body individually.

Massage rooms may also include other relaxing features like candles, scents, music and soft lighting. They’re designed to be a calm place that relaxes tense muscles.

If your massage session involves oils or salts, you’ll typically have to rinse them off before the hydrotherapy session.

The Table Shower Procedure

The table shower procedure typically has a few different stages. The therapist will instruct you on what to do and how to move.

Back Massage: Typically a table shower session starts with a back massage. You will lie face down on the table as the therapist adjusts the temperature and pressure of the water. Once you become wet, the therapist will use a loofah to rub the entire backside of your body.
Front Massage: The therapist will repeat the procedure on the front side of your body. Generally your face and hair will remain dry.
Wand: Many table shower therapists may also use a handheld shower head to spot massage specific areas of your body. This can be done on the front, back or side of your body.
Chakras: In some Asian table showers, the shower heads are designed to align with the seven Chakras of your body. Every Chakra represents one energy center in your spine. Water will stimulate the clearing of your energy field and aura. Asians believe this treatment can help your body get rid of toxins.

The therapists loofah is not the same as what you’d use to bathe with. Rather, it’s used as a massage tool to apply therapy to specific pats of the body. They will generally rub the entire front, back and side of your body with the loofah and water pressure. Then hit specific problem areas just like a traditional masseuse.

Depending on the spa, the table shower will be done either before or after the massage.

Before the massage, a table shower ensures that you’re body is clean.
After the massage, a shower helps remove massage oils and other treatments from the skin. This is helpful heavily scented oils or salts were used.

Additional Spa Services

Most hydrotherapy spas also include other more traditional services such as hand massages, mud, seaweed, hot rocks, saunas, and chocolate wraps. You can also enjoy sea salt scrubs or get your massage with exotic essential oils.

The Asian table shower is often used along with Japanese spa treatments such as akasuri (salt scrub) and the Korea spa treatment called the body scrub. The masseuse uses coarse mitts to rub away dead skin from the body which promotes new healthy skin cells to grow. This not only feels great but makes your skin much healthier. Clogged pours can damage skin and ruin your complexion.

Any of these treatments are generally available before or after your hydrotherapy session.

Table Shower Benefits

Table showers provide hydrotherapy which offer all sorts of benefits. If you’ve ever stood under a massaging shower head in your own bathroom then you can imagine what seven of those heads would feel like spraying all over your body at once. It’s a truly unique and relaxing experience.

Many professional athletes get regular hydrotherapy sessions. It’s a great way to loosen tense or injured muscles. And it goes really well when paired with a traditional hand massage.

Relaxation

Hydrotherapy sessions using a table shower are one of the most relaxing forms of massage you can get. If you’re someone who enjoys a nice warm shower t=at the end of the day, you’ll love a hydrotherapy session. The temperature can be set just how you like it along with pressure and shower head settings. And problem areas can be gently massaged with a wand.

One of the best things about a water massage is how gentle it is. If your someone who doesn’t like the force of a hand massage, or just don’t like someone putting their hands on you, a water treatment may be perfect for you.

If you don’t want to undress in front of someone, some hydrotherapy spas will let you use the water table alone. Once it’s set, you can lay under the jets, they come on for a programmed amount of time and then turn off when done. No one has to be in the room with you if you prefer being alone.

Hydrotherapy does wonders for the back. A traditional hand massage hits one area at a time. But a table shower can treat the entire back including the legs all at once. Trust me it’s very soothing. It feels sort of like being in a hot tub only less heat and more stimulation. And you’re laying down instead of sitting which I find more relaxing.

Other things in the spa room help too. Most will have candles, soft lighting, scents and calming music in the background. It’s a great way to unwind not only the body but also the mind.

Boosting Immunity

A hydrotherapy session can boost immunity in a few different ways.

Table showers can improve lymphatic circulation which boosts your immune system.
A gentle massage will encourage blood flow which helps the body to get rid of toxins. This can help fight infections.
Increasing circulation through massage therapy can help you deal with all sorts of problems.
Reducing stress is one of the best ways to boost immunity.

Painkiller

Table showers, and other forms of massage and hydrotherapy, are a natural pain killer and can help with all sorts of pain.

Headaches
Migraine
Fatigue
Cramps
Depression
Arthritis
Aches

Beauty

Besides being beneficial to your health, table showers can make your life less stressful which has an effect on how you look. Coming out of a spa feeling invigorated and rejuvenated is a great part of your beauty routine. In my opinion, self help and care are a very important part of how we feel. Stress is terrible for the complexion and make a person appear sickly. And walking around with aches and pains can really bring a persons spirit down.

If you’re in a rut, I recommend a day at a hydro spa. It’s a great way to relax and shed some of that daily stress pretty much all of us carry around. Especially with all that’s been going on in the world these days.

One of the biggest benefits of hydrotherapy and stress relief is sleep. Getting a good nights sleep is so important if you want to look and feel your best. A session at a table shower spa can really help here. Most people say they feel like they’re floating at the end of a session.

Can firm and tone your skin.
Oils and other treatments can hydrate your skin.
Rejuvenates your face and body.
Less stress promotes better sleep.
Loosens tight and tired muscles which helps alleviate pain.
Can increase blood flow and circulation which has all sorts of health and beauty benefits.
Wet loofahs scrub away dead skin cells which promotes healthy new skin growth.

Sleep

One of the biggest benefits I’ve found of shower tables is sleep. It’s so relaxing. After even hydrotherapy session I’ve ever had my sleep was much better. And I’m not a great sleeper. I have tension, stress, I toss and turn all night. But after hydrotherapy I sleep like a baby.

Every time I see my doctor he tells me how important getting good sleep is. Its helps your mind and body recuperate and heal. So many people I know take sleeping aids every night to fall asleep and I always recommend a hydrotherapy massage. They may not be for everyone, but I think they’re definitely worth a try.

What Do You Wear To A Vichy Shower?

It depends on the spa. Some spas will give you a table shower completely nude. These are generally found overseas and in Asia but sometimes in the US too. But in most US hydrotherapy spas you will be given a towel or disposable underwear to wear during the table shower session. Or you could wear your own bathing suite.

The process is pretty much the same as a traditional massage where your just wearing underwear or naked and covered by a towel. The only real difference is with a Vichy Shower the massage is done by water instead of a therapists hands. However, some Vichy Shower sessions also include a rubbing with a cloth or loofah or a massage.

What you wear to the Vichy Shower can be whatever you want. Typically you’ll get changed right before the therapist comes in to give you the treatment.

Table Shower Washing

Most table showers begin with the client face down on the table which exposes their back. The table is designed to be completely wet and has drains on the sides.

The therapist adjusts the water temperature before you lie on the table so it’s perfect as the therapy session starts. You won’t be hit with hot or cold water unless that’s what you want.

When the massage starts, the jets wet you from the neck to the soles of the feet. A loofah or washcloth is used to scrub the entire back side of the body. The hair and head are generally left untouched.

A handheld shower head can be used to hit specific body parts as needed.

Temperature and pressure can be adjusted as the session is underway.

Once the backside is complete, the therapist will ask you to turn over.

What Does A Vichy Shower Do?

A Vichy Shower is a common way of saying Table Shower. They’re basically a table that’s designed to get wet with 5 to 7 shower heads on top. Basically, you lay in the bed while the shower heads provide hydrotherapy. A massage therapist is with you and controls the jets, pressure, temperature and scrubs you with a wash cloth or loofah. They may also use a hand held shower wand to hit specific parts of the body.

Jets and temperature can be adjusted as needed as the session continues.

A Vichy shower, which is named after the town of Vichy, France, helps with other spa treatments such as a salt scrub, mud treatment, oils, or traditional hand massages. These treatments can be messy and require a through rinse before getting dressed.

Vichy showers are a form of hydrotherapy which can treat sore and stuff muscles. They’re very relaxing and thought to be excellent for your health and recovery. Especially when done in combination with other treatments such as manual massage.

What Does A Vichy Shower Feel Like?

A Vichy Shower feels awesome. If your like me and like a warm shower with multiple massaging shower heads at the end of the day, you’ll love it. A Vichy Shower has 5-7 shower heads spraying your entire body all at once. And your laying down during the shower. Even during my most relaxing showers at home or at a hotel, I’m always standing up. Laying down is so much more relaxing.

Generally, a single nozzle in the middle of your back is turned on first and then they start adjusting the temperature. Then one at a time all the heads are turned on.

The feeling of a full wall of water raining all over your body is incredible. And you can do it while a therapist rubs your body with a wash cloth or loofah. It’s definitely something I recommend everyone try. Especially if they have sore or tight muscles that need loosening up. I never sleep better than after a hydrotherapy session. There’s just something about the feeling that totally relaxes my mind and body.

How Much Does A Vichy Shower Cost?

A typical Vichy shower room is around 9′ x 12′, but they can be larger depending on the Vichy shower you buy and how many beds are in the room. You should leave at least 3 feet around all sides of the machine for the therapist and make sure to include an area to sit and get changed after the session.

The room is designed just like a big shower. Typically they have tile walls and floor, which are waterproof, and a floor drain or two. Water is supplied to the Vichy shower with a hot and cold line just like a traditional shower.

The cost to build the wet room typically falls between $15,000 to $25,000. Then you have the cost of the table. Most Vichy Shower tables range in price from $3,000 – $15,000.

How Much Does A Vichy Shower Treatment Cost?

Typically a Vichy Shower treatment costs around $75 – $150. It all depends on where you go and what other treatment you bundle with the shower. You can get herbal detoxes, mud, salts, oils, massages and other things with it.

How Long Does A Vichy Shower Take?

The average Vichy Shower treatment takes around 10 to 15 minutes. However, that’s just for the basic shower portion. If you combine the shower with herbal detoxes, mud, oils, massages, etc. You can expect it to take about 45 minutes to an hour.

Then you should include at least 45 minutes to 1 hour to sign in, get changed, there’s often a normal shower before the hydrotherapy to rinse off, getting dry after the treatment, etc. If you’re getting a regular hand massage or rocks with the shower that’s probably an additional 15 – 30 minutes too. But just the basic Vichy Shower session doesn’t take that long.

History Of The Vichy Table Shower

Table showers got the name “Vichy shower” after the small town in Central France. It’s a place with a long tradition of hydrotherapy.

Legend says that Julius Caesar discovered the therapeutic waters of the Vichy springs while trying to conquer ancient Gaul. His exhausted horses drank the Vichy waters and recovered right away. As soon as the Romans discovered the healing potential of thermal springs, they started constructing spas.

By the 16th century, more and more people visited these spas and enjoyed their healing mineral baths. Medieval royalty spent weeks or even months in Vichy seeking relaxation and enjoyment.

The Modern Table Shower

The French town Vichy and its surrounding areas contain no less than five natural mineral springs. They offer different hydrotherapy treatment facilities, depending on your needs and preference.

These treatments include but are not limited to the following:

Cold water treatments
Carbonate mineral springs
Hot water treatments as hot as 105 F (40.5 C).
Mud cures
Traditional massage
Oxygen therapy

You can also drink clean mineral water and take a traditional bath or shower in it.

The mineral springs are thought to be beneficial for patients suffering from many diseases, gastrointestinal issues, skin diseases, metabolic problems, arthritis, rheumatism, and gout.

By the 19th century, most people in the West had heard about the Vichy Table Shower. In the 20th century, modern table showers offering hydrotherapy and relaxing massages became well known in spas and resorts all over the world.

Many massage spas and beauty salons worldwide offer Vichy Table Shower treatments inspired by the design of the Vichy showers.

Table showers have become so popular in Asia, they are now commonly called an “Asian Shower”.

Summary: What Is Table Shower?

Enjoy the table shower as a part of a hydrotherapy treatment, a wet massage or just take a soothing hot shower as you lie down and relax.

Approximately 13 US gallons (50 l) of water are used by the table shower per minute. That’s more than 100 gallons (378.5l) of soothing water pouring over you every 10 minutes while you lie on a comfortable bed. If you have sore spots, therapists can adjust the shower heads to focus water on different body-parts. They can also adjust the temperature and water flow exactly how you like it. By varying shower head position, temperature and jet settings, table showers provide a wonderful whole body water massage.

Table Showers are also called a Vichy Shower, Massage Therapy, Scotch Hose, Hydrotherapy, Swiss Shower or Asian Showers.

If you have any questions about table showers, Email any time.