The most important basis for the First Check of Thalassotherapy should be:

Seaside spas that stand out because:

            a) for sea based methods of treatment, they are by absolute requirement able to provide    the site-specific components such as: sea water, sea salt, saline and low-allergen air, algae             and silt or chalk for their therapeutic treatments which are held primarily in             ‘Thalassotherapy centers’

            b) they only use site-specific remedies in their therapy facilities and no alternative third-      party products

            c) they offer special Thalasso-programs with different treatment focuses in collaboration      with medical professionals according to the individual state of health

            d) they put the topic of “Thalasso” at the focal point of health and prevention.

This is connected to a wide range of therapeutic measures of all regulating elements of the sea environment. To honor the additional value, the pre-existing term ‘seaside spa’ can be extended by the term ‘seaside and Thalasso spa’.

According to this, following points are required to be checked :

• Does the Thalasso site have the required state recognition ‘seaside spa’?

Are at least two local remedies (sea water, low-allergen and saline air) and at least

• one other location-based or location-specific application (silt or algae) being used at the Thalassotherapy site? (1)

• The Thalasso facility exclusively offers location-based  or location-specific remedies respectively. (2)

• Provided there is no own silt winning: Is the additionally bought silt extracted in the immediate North Sea area of the location? (3)

• Is the silt processing exclusively on site?

• Are there various rehabilitation focuses in the offered Thalasso programms? (4)

• Is Thalasso being used as part of:

– prevention

– therapy and

– in the wellness area?

• Are outpatient preventive services according to §23.2 SGB V (social security code) ensured?

• Is the Thalassotherapy also taking place outside of the thalasso- facility? (5)

• Can all therapeutic options be booked all year round?

• Is the swimming in sea water guaranteed all year round?

• What product lines does the location offer? (6)

            – Skin product line

            – Respiratory system product line

            – Chronic fatigue syndrome product line.

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Explanation:

*1 – Chalk is not required in Lower Saxony (neither local nor typical).

*2 – Alternative third-party products are strictly prohibited.

*3 – If own silt extraction is impossible, it must be attested that the suitable material was purchased from a North Sea area in close proximity to the location. The mixing of the silt must be done with sea water.

*4 When developing products, it is mandatory to ensure the process is under medical supervision and made with medical advise at all times. Additionally, if necessary, medical expertise needs to be available within the scope of the Thalasso programs (e.g. spa doctor). The thalasso programs must also take every individual health condition into account.

*5 This is an absolute must. It also has to include offers in the breaker zone.

*6 The Thalasso practice guide provides three classic product lines/checklists:

              a) Skin product line checklist

              b) Respiratory system product line checklist

              c) Chronic fatigue syndrome checklist.

At least two of the product lines mentioned are required. The guideline includes 20 individual points/criteria for each checklist, which will be examined additionally.

Wilhelm Loth, director Staatsbad Norderney

This article was prepared in cooperation with the ESPA Thalasso working group, led by Ms. Marlies Sobczak, ESPA Board member, and Mr. Wilhelm Loth, director Staatsbad Norderney.