Synesthesia and touch: tactile synesthesia in the thermal world

Touch: one of the most important senses in thermal experiences. It is through physical contact that the body can perceive a range of sensations that can be relaxing, stimulating or therapeutic.

Indeed, thermal treatments often involve massages, rubs and wraps, which have a positive effect on blood circulation, stress reduction and relief of muscle tension, evoking what is medically referred to as tactile synesthesia.

What is tactile synesthesia

Tactile synesthesia is a rare and fascinating phenomenon in which an individual perceives stimuli through a sense that would not normally be involved: touch. In this particular form of synesthesia, tactile sensations are associated with other sensory experiences, such as taste, hearing or sight. For example, a person experiencing tactile synesthesia might feel a caress or pressure when tasting certain foods or listening to certain sounds. Some people might also experience unusual sensations, like tingling in a hand when they see a specific number.

The precise cause of tactile synesthesia has not yet been fully understood, but it seems to be linked to an unusually intense connection between different areas of the brain involved in sensory perception. It is important to note that tactile synesthesia, like other forms of synesthesia, can vary from person to person and is not considered a disease or disorder, but rather a peculiarity of individual perception.

Some people who experience this phenomenon might find an advantage in this peculiarity, as it could help them think and learn in a more creative way. However, for other people, this condition might sometimes be a bit unsettling, especially in noisy or crowded environments where they might have difficulty concentrating, but this has nothing to do with the type of thermal synesthesia experienced during a visit to the spa, which is perceived as a moment of pure well-being.

Tactile synesthesia in the thermal experience

Tactile synesthesia is a particularly fascinating aspect of the thermal experience, as it involves direct contact with different surfaces and materials. Indeed, during thermal sessions, the body is enveloped by pleasant and relaxing tactile sensations, which combine with other perceptions to create a complete multisensory experience.

Stimuli can come from any context: for example, in thermal centers, saunas and thermal cabins often have walls and floors covered with natural materials, such as wood or stone, to offer a sense of warmth and comfort to the touch. During massages and thermal wraps, practitioners use their hands to apply pressure and rub on the skin, stimulating tactile receptors and creating a sense of connection with the recipient of the treatment. Various massage techniques, such as stroking and pressure, contribute to offering a unique and personalized tactile experience. Even the textures of the products used are designed to stimulate tactile receptors and evoke pleasant and relaxing sensations.

Tactile synesthesia in the thermal experience goes beyond therapeutic aspects and can also be explored through playful and sensory experiences. In fact, some thermal centers offer "barefoot paths," where participants walk on different surfaces such as stones, sand or wood, stimulating the feet and increasing body awareness.

But above all, what really makes this tactile synesthesia special is its harmonious combination with other thermal sensations, such as aromas, colors, the warmth of the baths or the refreshing effect of cold showers, creating a unique sensory balance. This sensory synergy contributes to creating an enveloping and regenerating atmosphere, where touch blends with the other senses, allowing one to experience well-being on both a physical and mental level. The thermal experience thus becomes a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a world of pleasant sensations, transforming the simple act of touching into an enriching experience for the body and mind.

How is touch applied in Thermal Treatments?

Rituals and gestures in thermal treatments play a fundamental role in transporting people into an enveloping and regenerating experience for the body and mind. From the warm waters of the whirlpool baths to the healing masks, touch is applied to offer physical benefits and engaging sensory synesthesia in various ways. For example, it can be done through:

• Heat: thermal baths, saunas and whirlpool tubs offer a pleasant sensation of warmth on the skin. A thermal contact that helps to relax muscles, relieve stress and improve overall well-being.
• Scented essential oils with therapeutic properties: massaged onto the skin, in addition to providing physical benefits, they can also stimulate the sense of smell, creating a synergy between the two senses.
• Massages: these thermal practices use specific movements that help stimulate circulation, improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension. They also stimulate the recovery of balance and vital energy.
• Wraps and masks: involve prolonged contact with the skin, promoting the absorption of beneficial substances (often combined with mud therapy through the use of thermal muds) and providing relief for various skin disorders.
• Cold: in contrast to heat, some thermal facilities also offer treatments based on cold water. The alternation between hot and cold creates a unique thermal synesthesia that stimulates blood flow and reduces inflammation.

By skillfully incorporating touch into each phase of the thermal journey, these multisensory experiences allow guests to immerse themselves in an environment of total well-being and regeneration. The synergy between touch and other thermal sensations, such as aromas, colors and temperature, makes these thermal experiences a complete and unforgettable sensory experience.

Tactile and thermal synesthesia at home with Fossil Water-Based products

The thermal experience is one of the oldest and most fascinating ways to relax, regenerate and take care of one's well-being. And in all this, touch, in synergy with the other senses, plays a fundamental role in experiencing these sensations. But did you know that you can bring this sensory perception home?

With Thermae Il Tempio della Salute products, it becomes possible.

The sensory experience offered by these products is a true holistic ritual, which, using the bases of chromotherapy, aromatherapy and gestures, promotes well-being at a physical and mental level.

Every gesture, every fragrance, every packaging of the products in your skincare routine will become the means for a daily beauty and wellness ritual, in which the awakening and regeneration of your body and mind will occur naturally and harmoniously. Let yourself be captivated by thermal synesthesia at home and discover Il Tempio della Salute beauty routines on our website.