Sand baths are a particular type of thermal treatment which use sea sand with its distinctive saline component. The salts and organic components found in the sand, which can also vary significantly, come from a self-filtration process resulting from the movement of the waves.

Sand therapy often forms part of a more complex therapy where it is combined with seawater balneotherapy and other specific thermal treatments.

It is generally performed at thalassotherapy institutes where thermal treatments (sand and seawater baths) are combined with the climatic and environmental advantages of seaside locations.

These advantages depend on the particular ‘climatic environment’ of the places where treatments are performed and from this point of view, the Mediterranean climate (with its thermal stability, average humidity and atmospheric pressure levels) is optimal. Seaside locations offer the advantage of a natural aerosol insofar as the wind transports ions and mine ral salts coming from the seawater.

While sand baths are a specific treatment for rheumatic and osteoarthritic conditions, the combination of climatic factors and thermal practices means that thalassotherapy is particularly suitable for treating a wide range of medical conditions including skin problems (such as psoriasis) respiratory problems, immune deficiencies and infantile rickets.