Story: Thermal pools and spas

The Aix massage

The Aix massage

One popular treatment for muscular and joint complaints was the Aix massage, based on a system used at the French spa of Aix-les-Bains. It involves massage under jets of thermal water. It was first used at Rotorua in the early 1900s and has stood the test of time, as this recent photograph from Rotorua’s Queen Elizabeth hospital shows.

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QE Health, Rotorua
Photograph by Graeme Murray

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Thermal pools and spas - The end of a dream', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6584/the-aix-massage (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 12 Jun 2006