Back when alpha, delta, and theta were simply Greek letters, ancient Grecian bathers enjoyed spiffed-up spa technology, mainly related to systems of pipes and aqueducts that delivered water to communal bathhouses. Three millennia later, modern-day spas remain rooted in ancient practices and traditions like steam, mud, and soothing aromatics, but the integration of new technologies promises guests heightened relaxation and, according to some studies, greater health benefits.
Today, alpha, delta, and theta double as terms used to describe brain waves measured by electroencephalography — and those waves are directly related to relaxation. At Spa Desert Springs at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, guests can recline in state-of-the-art MindSync chairs designed with technology featuring vibro-acoustic sound wave therapy. During a 25-minute session, guests wear noise-canceling headsets while listening to binaural music that synchronizes the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The process induces alpha, delta, and theta states, which are linked to deeper relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved mood.
Red light therapy at Spa Esmeralda.
Photo courtesy jw marriott desert springs resort & spa
Healing gemstone mat at Sunstone Spa.
Photo courtesy sunstone spa
“A 2011 study by an addiction research facility found a 60 to 70 percent reduction in anxiety, stress, and depression after each session,” says Dawn Ferraro, the spa’s director. “These lounge chairs are the reason many of our guests choose to visit Spa Desert Springs. They pair beautifully with any spa treatment and … add a different element, likely new to most.”
Technology can both enhance and expand the spa experience. “Today’s spa-goers are seeking more than pampering — they want real results,” says Sammy Gharieni, CEO and founder of Gharieni Group, an international company that designs and engineers wellness technologies for spas around the world. “From sleep optimization and detoxification to jet lag recovery and stress relief, guests are increasingly drawn to treatments that deliver measurable outcomes. That’s where wellness technologies come in. They integrate seamlessly into existing spa menus.”
“The combination of advanced technology and curated treatments allows guests to recharge physically and mentally.”
Katie Camarena, manager at Spa Esmeralda
The award-winning Sunstone Spa at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage has infrared heated tabletops with built-in pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, a noninvasive treatment that applies low-frequency electromagnetic pulses (PEMF) to the body’s tissues. Studies have shown that PEMF can stimulate cellular repair and lead to decreased pain.
At Spa Esmeralda ’s Renew Recovery Lounge at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, guests can experience high-tech wellness therapies in private recovery pods. Offerings include Therabody SmartGoggles, which combine compression massage, heat, and vibration therapies to improve sleep, reduce stress, and relieve headaches. A HigherDOSE infrared PEMF mat emits electromagnetic waves that mimic natural frequencies found in nature to help ease sore muscles and boost energy. Normatec 3 compression boots and arm sleeves by Hyperice use dynamic air compression to improve circulation, reduce swelling, and revive muscles.
“The combination of advanced technology and curated treatments allows guests to recharge physically and mentally, whether they’re recovering from a day on the golf course, a long flight, or simply looking to improve their sleep quality,” says Spa Esmeralda manager Katie Camarena.
Zero-gravity chairs at The Spa at Séc-he.
Photo the spa at Séc-he
The Spa at Séc-he in Palm Springs, known for its vast menu and amenities, offers different treatments on different tables. For some, guests lie down on a Gharieni Group table cocooned in warm quartz sand, as a rolling air cushion gently stretches the back; the table shifts the body by tilting back and forth.
“A massage on a heated quartz bed enhanced with inversion therapy is far more immersive than a standard treatment room setup,” Gharieni says. “We’re seeing interest not just from spas, but also from longevity clinics, luxury resorts, private medical practices, fitness and social clubs — even yachts and residential wellness spaces. Wellness is no longer confined to the treatment room; it’s becoming an essential layer in how we design spaces, services, and lifestyles. This evolution is only just beginning.”
